Elmo Hockman: Two bites at the electoral cherry?

Vote early, vote often, as the old joke goes, but it seems that the residents of Odessa may need to cast their vote for House District 81 on Nov. 4. That’s when Gov. Rick Perry has set the special election to finish the unexpired term of Rep. George “Buddy” West, R-Odessa, who died on June 25.

But West had already lost a primary run-off to challenger Tryon Lewis, so the seat was already going to be on the ballot on Nov. 4 anyway, with Lewis in the Republican slot opposed by Libertarian Elmo Hockman. Since this is two different elections, this could end up with the baffling possibility that the winner of the special election is not the winner of the general election. True, they’d only hold the seat for three months, and have to hand over to any other winner when the next session starts in January, but it’s still three months of cheap downtown parking.

Bet the Democrats are kicking themselves for not getting a candidate on the regular ballot. Second time’s the charm?

This article appears in July 4 • 2008.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.