Sheffield: The electoral equivalent of buying two lottery tickets

As if Texas democracy wasn’t complicated enough, there’s another special election on Election Day, this time in Bell County. Gov. Rick Perry has confirmed there will be a special election on Nov. 4 for House District 55, the seat held by his long-time supporter Rep. Diane Delisi, R-Temple. Like every other House seat, it’s up for the general election anyway. But Delisi retired on July 31, meaning there’s still the last few months of her current, unexpired term to finish out. Republican Ralph Sheffield, Democrat Sam Murphey and Libertarian Chris Lane are all running in the general, and would have to file seperate paperwork to run for the special as well (so far, only Sheffield has confirmed he’ll be throwing his hat in the ring for that extra two months of free down-town parking.)

That’ll be the second time Texas voters will double-up in House elections on Nov. 4, with special and general elections for House District 81, the Odessa seat of Republican rep George “Buddy” West, who died on June 25.

This article appears in August 8 • 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.