I am sorry I do not believe that Kip quit for heath reasons. I think something happen within him being a State Senator and was told to step down and keep his mouth close. This complete story stinks and we as the public that elected Kip needs to know the "Real" story.

kip's a nice guy but his campaign headquarters is the bar, and he was at cricket's last night - there is waco kip, and then there is austin kip - big difference - sibley is a tool and a pawn of txu - if kip could have kept his marriage together and not grown so fond of john barleycorn he would be in good shape today - like i said, he is a friendly guy, a decent guy, and if he could overcome a few bad habits he wouldn't have to 'quit' for 'health reasons'

Dunham, Dunham; GOP the Repubs out thought themselves on this race the Demo's are on the attack!! Better talk ol' Kip into staying and hold up on his Lobbying firm business!

WOW---I saw the proof at the precinct convention that Dems crossed over and voted Republican. I saw my die-hard democrat neighbors names in the voter book and it showed they voted Republican. Always figured they would have cut off an arm rather than vote Republican. Also have heard of several Democrat businessmen who voted Republican and were laughing about doing it so they can get a candidate in the race.

First all, for the mathmatically challenged, a 3 to 1 ratio one year and a 9 to 1 ratio the next does not automatically mean that the first increased 3 times, it just means the difference is 3 times greater. It could mean that the second number is only a third of what it was. It also doesn't mean that there was an influx of Democrats voting Republican either. Considering that many of the precincts involved have been voting increasing Republican, the anger directed at the Democrats in Congress, and the fact there were not as many contested Democrat races as their were Republican; it can simply mean that more people chose to vote in the much most exciting Republican Primary. It doesn't mean they are Democrat or Republican. People vote where the action is. When there isn't much local action, they don't vote. But let's just take McLennan County as an example. You claim that the Republican party voted Democrat to in 2008. This year, in McLennan County alone, there were 18,447 people voting Republican. That is an increase of exactly -80 people from 2008 when so many Republican voted Democrat. 18,527 voted Republican in 2008, when you do the math, that more then this year. So without all those Republican voting for Hillary in 2008, 80 less people voted Republican then the year before. Your 3 to 1 ratio of Republicans to Democrats, didn't hold true then either. In fact it was about a 3 to 4 ratio in McLennan County. This year in McLennan County it was roughly 6 to 1. So your facts don't seem to be holding up to the actual numbers. And I might also point out that Averitt had a bigger percentage here then anywhere else. So while you posts guesses, I post the actual numbers as they appear on the Election Reports.

Robbie nice try! I have my own “opinion” about what happened. Your putting in your opinion with number’s so it’s still only an opinion. Here’s my “OPINION”. On the numbers, I think all of the crazy people listening to the sky is falling the world is ending crap, came out in droves to STOP all of the awful things they hear about with there guns and ammo in hand! LOL! The voters had no clue what they where doing. I think the G.O.P.ers in McLennan County and any other county with higher numbers did not want someone who would not stand for them at redistricting time. Your are right about the filling and “dems” could have run but we the “dems” knew we didn’t have a candidate who could beat Kip. But we have a shot at wining against Yancy. A person with as much right wing knowledge as you should know that! So may the best man win! If Kip doesn’t run now! So let hope this time the G.O.P. doesn’t taint the vote since it is so to do! Maybe I’ll start thinking of a vote tainting scenario now for the comments of the future! LOL!

GOP, They actually came from the Texas Secretary of State's website. Strange how some one would dare go straight to the source for answers, huh? In past primaries, the Republican to Democrat ratio was around 3-1 in this race... This time is was around 8 or 10-1 depending on which county we're counting. Does it make more sense that the Republican population increase that much over the past few years, or would it be that Democrats voted in the Republican primary in order to sandbag various candidates and promote their own? Many Republicans did the same thing in 2008 to keep Hilary out of the Dem Pres race (thanks Rush). Thus, 14,000-16,000 additional voters switched over. The difference in this race was about 12,000 votes, if you did the math. Also, how did Kip plan this so that Democrats would NOT run? They didn't have anyone signed up before the filing date, they could not have run anyway. All this does is open up the door FOR the Democrats to run. It gives them a new opportunity to run, whether it be in a special election or the county chairs decide. So yes, it would make sense for Dems to cross-over and set up a scenario where they could run a candidate. Basically, it boils down to this not being a referendum against Darren Yancy or for Kip Averitt. This vote was tainted, but at least the Dems will be able to field a candidate now...

Robbie, where are you getting your numbers, www.imadeitup.com? I see what they say is true, that in the absence of actual facts, conspiracy theorists are happy to offer half-baked opinions as facts. You should be more careful, I'm pretty sure the powers that be are reading your thoughts. You better get the tinfoil out.

Those are some kind of sharp, incisive observations, folks. Keep up the good work. I admire your style over there in the bleachers. Hoo-wah! The Legendary

uh oh, hmmm a perfectly orchestrated Kip campaign may backfire, noooooo, Mr. Bill where are you on this one. How about those Demo's crossing over I guarntee it was not for good ol' kipster. Seems a plan is in place, could it be Dunham wants a Senate seat??? All i can say is way to go "Good old boys" you may have stepped in it!!! Can anybody smell the money!

Robbie what are you talking about. Have any facts! You’re telling us that democrats voted in the G.O.P. primary. Prove what you say! If you are right I say GOOD FOR THEM! It was Kip in my “OPINION” who planed this perfectly so no democrats would even get the opportunity to run for the seat. Well that has backfired now! Honestly I don’t know what the G.O.P. in Texas is so scared of. Give the democrats a fair shot in such a “conservative area”.

Decluitt and Sibley got outsmarted in this. Would they look like fools if a Demo got this seat and it could happen

It is estimated taht between 14,000 and 16,000 Democrats crossed over and voted for Kip Averitt in this race. Kip received 37,682 votes to Yancy's 25,028. Do the math, and you'll find out that it was the Democrats that wanted Kip to come out on top. Depending on when Kip announces his retirement, the Dems could have the opportunity to nominate their own candidate. Knowing this, it's not suprising that there was such a wide margin, but it's not because Republicans rejected Yancy, it's because Democrats wanted a second shot at this seat.

Uh Huh...........Believe about ahlf about what you read in the Trib. He sued the Little league when his sons bones were broken by a anotehr player during a hand shake. Why did the Trib leave this out? Also the Trib is hiding the story about Possium Kingdom lake and the power plant which Kip is head of.

This is a big mess and it could get bigger if this is all about him being a lobyist

I hate to tell Mr. Yancy, but he defeated himlself in this election. I was ready to vote for him when Kip announced his retirement, but some of the things that came out about Mr. Yancy's business dealings as well as his general attitude when I heard him speak, caused me to rethink that decision, and I went ahead and voted for Kip. It's not unheard of for a candidate to be beaten by a withdrawn or dead opponent, but to be beaten by this margin should send a message to Mr. Yancy that the people of this Senate district DO NOT WANT HIM representing us in Austin.

He learned from his former boss David Sibley. Go be a lobyist and make a ton of money on the laws you help pass. Just like Sibley on deregulating utility rates. He is one of the highest paid in the state for electric companies

He learned from his former boss David Sibley. Go be a lobyist and make a ton of money on the laws you help pass. Just like Sibley on deregulating utility rates. He is one of the highest paid in the state for electric companies

He learned from his former boss David Sibley. Go be a lobyist and make a ton of money on the laws you help pass. Just like Sibley on deregulating utility rates. He is one of the highest paid in the state for electric companies