Senate District 17: Ripe for the taking for Dems?

Gov. Rick Perry has announced that the special election to fill Senate District 17, the seat of retiring Sen. Kyle Janek, R-Houston, will indeed be on Nov. 4. So, no shocker there. Closing date for filing applications of Aug. 29 at 5pm, early voting will be Oct. 20-31. However, it will be interesting to see who files: in 2006, Janek held the seat with 78% and no Democrat challenger. These days, the Texas Democratic Party is looking at Harris and the surrounding counties as ground zero for legislature gains. Janek’s early exit gives them room for an unexpected gain in the Senate. Plus, the GOP will need to find their own candidate.

Meanwhile, on a related note, outgoing eight-term incumbent Rep. George “Buddy” West, R-Odessa, is currently recovering after he collapsed in a restaurant last week. 71-year-old West, who lost a primary runoff to challenger Tryon Lewis 76%-24%, has been taken off a ventilator and is breathing by himself. Doctors have upgraded his condition to serious. We at Newsdesk wish Buddy a speedy recovery.

This article appears in May 30 • 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.