In a surprise upset, unknown Democrat Richard McCain snapped the vote to become the county’s new Precinct 3 constable, defeating Republican Thornton Keel – brother to GOP state Rep. Terry Keel and now-former Travis Co. District Judge Patrick Keel. Deputy constable McCain will assume the seat being vacated by Constable Drew McAngus, who lost a GOP primary bid for sheriff. The win is a big one for McCain, who had to overcome the name recognition and flush pachyderm funding of his opponent. To McCain, hard work – read, a helluva lot of block walking – is what it takes to trump fat-wallet funding: “I put my money where my mouth is,” he said, “and gave it everything I’ve got.”
In the only other contested constable race, Precinct 5 Democratic incumbent (and local party stalwart) Bruce Elfant handily defeated GOP challenger Greg Papst to win a third term. Other Dem incumbents holding their own on the county ballot included District Attorney Ronnie Earle and Tax Assessor-Collector Nelda Wells Spears, both of whom easily sent off Libertarian challengers.
This article appears in November 5 • 2004.