HOUSTON (Legal Newsline) - In just a few short weeks, Southeast Texas voters will venture to the polls to select the Republican they want to represent them in Texas Senate District 4.
The filing deadline for the special election was March 10. Although four Republican candidates entered the race, no Democrats stepped forward.
On Nov. 6, Gov. Rick Perry issued a proclamation ordering that a special election be held May 10 to fill the seat left vacant when former state Sen. Tommy Williams resigned.
Williams announced his resignation in October after joining the Texas A&M University System as its new vice chancellor of federal and state relations.
The Republican candidates running to fill the vacancy include state Rep. Brandon Creighton, state Rep. Steve Toth, former Texas Sen. Michael Galloway, and businessman Gordy Bunch.
If money plays a role in the election, Creighton may have the biggest advantage, as the state representative has $886,605.32 in his war chest, according to an April 10 report filed with the Texas Ethics Commission.
Following the conclusion of the first quarter, Bunch had the second most in funds going into the election homestretch with $358,483 left in his coffers.
However, Bunch's April 10 campaign finance report shows he has an outstanding loan of $450,000.
Toth, a Tea Party favorite, had $42,986.56 cash on hand, while Galloway has little more than $6,000 remaining in his war chest.
Texas Senate District 4 includes Chambers and Jefferson counties and parts of Galveston, Harris and Montgomery counties.
Reach David Yates at elections@legalnewsline.com
Special election to fill vacant Texas Senate seat draws near
