The Challengers to Texas House Republicans (Part II)



In this post, we’ll look at the challengers in Texas House districts 55, 59, 60, 64, 71, 72, and 83. The incumbents, challengers, and biographical information about the challengers are listed in the table below: 

District
Incumbent
Challenger
Residence
Occupation
Web Site
Issue Positions
District Map
55
Ralph Sheffield
Molly S. White
Belton
Pro-life Activist
Web Site
Issue Positions
District Map
59
J.D. Sheffield
Danny Pelton
Stephenville
Businessman
Web Site
Issue Positions
District Map


Howard Ray
Rochelle
Gun Instructor
Web Site
Issue Positions
District Map
60
Jim Keffer
Cullen Crisp
Granbury
Businessman
Web Site
Issue Positions
District Map
64
Myra Crownover
Read King
Denton
Web Site
District Map
71
Susan King
Issac M. Castro
Hamlin
Businessman, Lawyer
Web Site
Issue Positions
District Map
72
Drew Darby
Shannon Thomason
Big Spring
Corporate Pilot
Facebook
Issue Positions
District Map
83
Charles Perry
Steve Massengale
Lubbock
Businessman
Web Site
Issue Positions
District Map

The districts are located in Central Texas, North Texas, and West Texas. Of the seven challengers, only one had sought a Texas House nomination previously. Issac M. Castro won the Republican primary election in Texas House District 85 in 2008 but lost the general election with 46.62 percent of the vote.

One of the challengers, Read King, offers little information about his positions on issues. Shannon Thomason has some information on Facebook but no campaign Web site. Six challengers provide information on their issue positions on their Web sites, which are linked in the table above.  
Among the seven challengers, Danny Pelton, a former Republican County Chairman in Erath County, has the best opportunity to defeat an incumbent. With three candidates seeking the nomination, a runoff primary is a distinct possibility, which enhances a challenger’s chances against an incumbent.

I’m anxious to see the campaign contribution reports for these candidates when they’re reported.

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