When Evan Smith, editor of the Texas Tribune, spoke to our Democrats’ Club last September, he emphasized one point, which, on reflection, should have been obvious. In Williamson County (or any county with a solid one party majority) the Primary Election of the party in power takes the place of the General Election. In the General Election in November, Republicans will unite behind their slate and it will win. More than half of Republican voters will, in fact, simply mark the box for a straight party ticket.

Therefore, says Smith, in order for Democrats and Independents to have a meaningful part in an election, they have to go to the Republican Primary and help the Republicans choose candidates for the their ballot in the General Election in November. That slate will clearly (sadly) be the winning one in the November. Most years the Republican Primary ballot is simply a list of incumbents, so the opportunity to influence their final ballot is simply not there. Not so this year. This year incumbents have challengers. This year there is the potential for change, thanks to John Bradley.

John Bradley has managed to bring enough notoriety to the county that he has acquired a challenger and stirred up the ire of the voters, even some Republican ones. Any contest which bursts out of what has been the ruling party’s slide into mediocrity, promises some electoral excitement. Enough, I surmise, to swell the ranks of voters planning to ask for a Republican ballot in the Primary, even if their party allegiance lasts only for the day they vote.

Whichever ballot you choose in this primary, your vote should reflect serious consideration and a careful review of all of the slots on the ballot. In the Republican Primary, the Jana Duty – John Bradley contest is well known. But some of the lesser known contests on the Republican side present additional clear opportunities for change.

The following is a list of Republican incumbents who have challengers. I have not listed positions that will not appear on Sun City ballots – such as Precinct 1 Commissioner. We are in Precinct 3. I have not listed positions if they do not have incumbents, such as President of US and Texas US. Senator. The County Attorney position also does not have an incumbent, but I have listed it because it is the only one on which I have enough information that I can confidently recommend a candidate: Jeff Maurice.

US House of Representatives John Carter = incumbent.
Texas Railroad Commission Barry Smitherman = incumbent
Supreme Court Place 2 Don Willett = incumbent
Supreme Court Place 4 David Medina = incumbent
State Board of Education (No incumbents)
State Senate (no incumbent) Charles Schwertner leaving position as our state legislator to run for this job.
Legislative Dist 20 no incumbent
425th District Judge Mark Silverstone = incumbent
District Attorney John Bradley = incumbent
County Attorney (no incumbent – Jana Duty resigned to run for DA.)
3 Candidates. Jeff Maurice is an outsider with exceptional legal skills and experience for this job.
Sheriff James Wilson = incumbent
Tax assessor Deborah Hunt = incumbent
Precinct 3 Commissioner Valery Covey = incumbent
Pct 3 Constable Bobby Gutierrez = incumbent

Mr. Johnson is a Hutto native, journalist and former speechwriter in the Texas Senate. He has authored two books: The Outskirts of Life from Hutto’s Front Porch (1987) and Glass Walls (2009), in which he uses Williamson County as a case study of a government misguided by neoconservative ideology. He will share his insights on the inner workings of local politics.

Time:  9:30 AM Coffee, 10:00 AM Meeting

Location:  Sun City Cowan Creek Center, 1433 Cool Spring Way, Florence/Georgetown Rooms
Speaker:  Professor Eric Selbin, Southwestern University Professor of Political Science and University Scholar, is the author of Revolution, Resistance, and Rebellion:  The Power of Story.  He specializes in confrontational politics.  He will help us learn about the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Saturday, January 7,  2012
Time:  9:30 AM Coffee, 10:00 AM Meeting
Location:  Sun City Cowan Creek Center, 1433 Cool Spring Way, Florence/Georgetown Rooms

Speaker: Royger Harris is a repeat speaker for us.  He is an investigator in Jana Duty’s County Attorney’s office, and he gives us great insight into what is going on behind the scenes in Williamson County government.  The problems in the Williamson County Criminal Justice system, the Michael Morton exoneration, and District Attorney John Bradley will surely be a part of this free-form discussion.

The following is the menu for our Holiday Dinner & Social:  Chicken Cordon Bleu or Roast Beef Au Jus.  The sides for both selections will be:  Grilled Potatoes, Green Beans, Very Nutty Salad and rolls; dessert will be a parfait served in a flute glass (sugar free upon request).  Coffee, tea, water and ice will be provided; but BYOB if desired. The room is large enough that we can stay and dance if we wish; a variety of music will be provided.  All this for only $17 per person!

The deadline for sign-up is December 1.  At the end of this newsletter, we have provided a flyer and with a tear-off portion to make it easy for you to fill in and mail to Billie.  Or you can leave your check on Billie Reaney’s front porch at 721 Texas Drive in Sun City.  Don’t forget to sign the form with your name, contact info, and select an entrée and dessert.

Interested in car pooling to Jarrell?
Call Billie Reaney at 512-868-0098.