McLennan County voters focus on several races in today's primaries
By Michael W. Shapiro Tribune-Herald staff writer
A taste of anti-incumbency is in the air, but the fallout from such sentiments is hard to put a finger on.
McLennan County voters expressed frustration about the recession and a need for a political shift, but when it comes to the “throw the bums out” mentality, not all incumbents are treated equally.
Larry Graf was registering his car last week at the McLennan County Records Building and then decided to vote at the elections office, which is housed there. He predicted a tough year for officeholders facing re-election.
Republican gubernatorial hopefuls U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (right) and incumbent Gov. Rick Perry (left) made their last sweep across the state Monday before today’s primary election. GOP activist Debra Medina also is running for the nomination.
Jaime R. Carrero/Tyler Morning Telegraph
“With the economic condition we’re in and the jobless rate where it is, something’s got to change,” said Graf, who voted in the Republican primary. “So I exercised my right to vote.”
Though his mood was solidly anti-incumbent, Graf said he made an exception for sitting Gov. Rick Perry, who is facing U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison and businesswoman Debra Medina in the GOP primary.
Graf said he was impressed with how Texas has fared during the recession when compared to other parts of the United States.
With high-profile races in federal, state and local races on the Republican ticket, GOP turnout during the early voting period that ended Friday has been high.
Republican voters outnumbered Democrats in the county by about 5-to-1.
There were fewer contested primary races for the Democratic Party.
Hair-care magnate Farouk Shami and former Houston Mayor Bill White are vying for the party’s gubernatorial nomination.
Locally, Karen Petree, Roy Walthall and Kelvin Williams seek to become the next leader of the McLennan County Democratic Party.
“I can’t say there’s been a lot of noise in our community,” said Boyce Vardiman, a Democrat from West, historically a Democratic stronghold.
Vardiman said he’s excited by the White campaign but added that Perry’s long tenure could end up being the biggest motivational factor for Democrats this election cycle.
“We think it’s past time for Perry to be gone,” Vardiman said. “I can’t understand why the Republicans stomach him.”
Of course, not all Republicans are Perry fans. Hutchison has several prominent local names working for her, including the Waco-based Texas Farm Bureau and former Waco Mayor Linda Ethridge.
The latest Rasmussen poll showed Perry leading the party’s field with 48 percent. If he were to get more than 50 percent of the GOP primary vote, he would avoid a potentially expensive runoff.
Russell Nelson, who was having lunch at North Waco’s Dub-L R Burgers on Monday, said he’s focused on the gubernatorial and county commissioner’s races.
Incumbent commissioner Ray Meadows faces challenges from insurance salesman Ben Perry and New York Clothiers manager Ed Petrich.
When asked what will be on his mind when he casts his vote, Nelson said, “keeping Texas Texas,” which he explained means he’ll “probably be voting for Perry.”
mshapiro@wacotrib.com
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RELATED SEARCHES
- McLennan County polling places: March 2 election
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Boyce Vardiman doesn't know what he's talking about. West is not a Democratic stronghold. Thank God for that.
Its gonna be interesting tonight!! Ben Perry to beat one of the "good ol boys" and Gov. Goodhair will be in a runoff probably with Kay and will she go through with it in the runoff or retire if she sees no victory in sight!! Possibility!
Well alright JoeStax. But Waco has been poor for a long time. It didn't just happen in 2010. It sure pisses me off when some folk act like black people are the root of their problems. What demographic is the majority at any level of government?? It sure ain't black people. So tell Rick Perry or your local councilmen to lend you an ear JoeStax.
I want to boost the middle class suburbanites with good white-collar jobs, gentrify downtown and kick out all the welfare hoodrats. I want to cut off thug (WIC, affirmative action, select minority quotas & Sec 8 housing) & corporate (bailouts & Zionist warmaking) welfare to improve quality of life for the middle class. I'm tired of lobbyists exploiting us for their special interests who live off our backs. I want us to enjoy a more advanced culture like Europe or Asia, without being ridden with crime & ghettoes. http://www.wacotrib.com/news/Parkside-Village-apartment-complex-under-fire-with-bankruptcy-failing-inspections.html Who do I vote for???
Just go to the polls and vote your concience like you have a right to do. Perry,Medina Hutchison,Farouq,Wilson or anyone. You have a duty to speak your piece here in Texas. Just remember, if you vote wrong, you are responsible for what happens even though you will probably never admit how you voted.
Are you tired of unfair, unconstitutional Federal laws & programs being shoved down your throat? Like the Patriot Act? Debra Medina is fighting against all that. Do you want to secure the borders and prevent illegal immigration? Debra is fighting for that too. Are you tired of the Federal suppression and cover-up of 9II - and its enormous impact on our foreign policy? Debra is too and is open to additional investigation in this false flag black op. Do you want freedom from the bankers controlling Washington and giving themselves multi-billion dollar bailout bonuses? Do you want to tell Washington & arrogant mainstream media tools like Glenn Beck how we really feel, and that we're sick and tired of their 2 party BS & intelligence-insulting propaganda?? Then VOTE DEBRA MEDINA!!!!
I can't believe Rick Perry actually has a lead in his party. He needs to get out of office. Bill White will be the next governor of Texas.
Don't get confused by all of the "Perry" conversation . . . remember to vote for BEN PERRY for County Commissioner. He is a good man with integrity and a willingness and ability to serve.
So lets get this right. Vote out the incumbency but keep Czar Perry Bush! KEEP TEXAS TEXAS! Use your brains to think!
Medina is the 1 to vote for it's time to end property taxes and stop this infiltration of illegal aliens into Texas taking away resources and jobs, let's see if this candidate can keep her words , if she can Texas will be better off, if she can't she'll have to eat them with some good ol Texas tar and feathers.
21 San Antonio has no toll roads
If people here in Waco will vote for Perry, they are really dumbier then I thought. Tx Dot lost a billion dollors in a budget, Perry lives in a house that is costing us 10,000 a month, toll roads and then he tried to ram coal plants down our throat by fast tracking them, plus the Merkel deal and on and on.Wake up Mclennan County, this guy needs to go along with Averitt
Go down to the polls and vote for Debra Medina!!! Also vote Rick Green for Supreme court place 3 and Rose Vela Place 9.
Sounds like Waco needs a big TOLL ROAD going right down the middle of it...all these Perry supporters will feel the pleasure of paying $40 per month for a toll tag one day when Waco gets to join the rest of Texas. Sort of odd why Austin, DFW, S.A. and Houston all have to pay extra to drive...seems unfair.
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