CD7: Houston cancer physician Jason Westin is considering challenging U.S. Rep. John Culberson (R-Houson) as a Democrat.
Beaumont: A candidate filed for two offices on the May 6 ballot has dropped his bid to run for city council. Kevin Reece will instead run for Beaumont ISD trustee, even though he mistakenly filed for a district in which he does not reside. He has 90 days to move into the district if he were elected, per special rules in place for the initial election of a board from single-member districts. Reece’s father was among the trustees ousted during a state takeover several years ago. Meanwhile, another BISD candidate may be ineligible because of a prior felony conviction. Daniel Ozane needs a gubernatorial pardon or other judicial action restoring his eligibility by Friday, which is the deadline to withdraw from the race voluntarily. Three other candidates are running for that seat, including Ozane’s wife.
Brownsville: Council member Deborah Portillo announced she would not seek re-election.
Corpus Christi: Attorney Mark Di Carlo announced he would run in the May 6 special election to fill the unexpired term of former Mayor Dan McQueen. Di Carlo ran for an at-large seat on the city council in 1997, finishing last out of nine candidates. Meanwhile, master electrician James Hernandez announced he would run. They join six other candidates actively seeking the seat: educator Jonathan Garison, former council and gubernatorial candidate Ray Madrigal, former Mayor Nelda Martinez, council member Joe McComb, former council member Mark Scott and city ethics commissioner Larry White. Former council member Chad Magill planned to run but withdrew last week, citing the large field and expense of holding a runoff election on June 24, which appears likely.
Keller: Former Mayor Pat McGrail has filed to reclaim his former office. McGrail was mayor from 2007 until losing a 2014 re-election bid. Incumbent Mark Mathews is not seeking re-election. McGrail faces council member Rick Barnes and private investigator Kris Jara.
Price Trial: Jury selection began today (Tuesday) in the federal corruption trial of longtime Dallas. Co. Comm. John Wiley Price. The thrice-delayed trial covers 11 counts of conspiracy to commit bribery, mail fraud and income tax evasion. Testimony is expected to begin later this week.
