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ELECTIONS
Few Texans interested in primaries
Estimated 13 percent of registered voters cast ballots in elections
EL PASO, Texas (AP) —Texas was
on pace to set a new low for prima
ry election turnout as a meager 1.47
million of the state’s 11 million reg
istered voters were believed to have
cast ballots Tuesday.
The projected turnout of 13.4
percent was the lowest in at least
three decades, and it continued a
downward trend for voter partic
ipation in the 1990s. The 20 per
cent (1.94 million) in 1996 and the
17.6 percent (1.59 million) in 1994
were the next lowest turnouts since
1970. Older data was not available
Tuesday.
Political observers said the vot
er apathy could be traced to the
lack of any real top-of-the-ticket
races. Gov. George W. Bush faced
only token opposition in the Re
publican primary and Garry Mau-
ro ran unopposed to claim the De
mocratic gubernatorial
nomination.
“That makes the statewide pri
mary resemble the municipal elec
tions where people would rather
watch grocery trucks unload than
go vote,” said political science pro
fessor Jerry Polinard of the Univer
sity of Texas-Pan American.
Republican political consultant
Mark Sanders added: “Texans are
used to high-dollar, high-profile
campaigns. They didn’t get that
this (election cycle). What they got
was low-dollar, low-profile cam
paigns and they just tuned out.”
State officials saw it coming.
Secretary of State A1 Gonzales
said Monday that turnout for early
voting in the 10 largest counties was
1.15 percent for the Democratic pri
mary and 1.17 percent for the Re
publican primary.
Still, he had projected a 20-per
cent turnout. He dropped that one-
third about an hour before polls
closed.
Final turnout figures won’t be
available until 100 percent of ballots
are counted.
El Paso voter A1 Villa said he fig
ured it was the candidates that kept
voters away.
“I think that’s why there’s a lot of
voter apathy, because candidates
are not believable,” Villa, a sales
person, said as he stepped out of
an El Paso fire station and into a
chilly but clear day. “They make a
lot of promises during the cam
paign and then they get elected
and what happens?”
Despite his stated distaste for
politicians, the 60-year-old Villa said
he was casting a ballot because he
believes people have a responsibili
ty to vote.
Marcie Johnston braved early
morning single-digit wind chills in
Lubbock for much the same reason.
“When you live in a community,
it’s just as important to vote in the
local races as it is the state races,”
said Johnston, who joined
a steady stream of bundled-
up voters taking care of
business early.
With few contested statewide
races and little competition for seats
in the U.S. House and state Legisla
ture, the most heated West Texas
battles were fought at the county
level.
Others also were focused on local
races.
Dick Wegner, 64, a Republican
in Mercedes in far South Texas,
said he had to vote in the Democ
ratic primary if he wanted a say in
his local government because
most candidates for Hidalgo
County judge were Democrats.
he
Incumbents lead Senate primary
the
AUSTIN (AP) — The only state sena
tor facing a primary election opponent
was in a tight race Thesday.
Sen. Michael Galloway, R-The Wood
lands, was one of only 16 incumbent
lawmakers to face re-election chal
lengers from within their own parties
Tuesday. All but two were leading their
opponents in early returns.
Rep Ted Kamel, R-iyier, was trailing
Leo Berman, also of Tyler, 56 percent to
44 percent with votes in 2 percent of the
district’s precincts counted.
In Dallas, Republican Rep. Carolyn
Galloway was running at 50 percent of
the early votes againstKenn George.
No early returns were available from
San Antonio’s race between Republican
Rep. Frank Corte and business owner
Carrie Hammer.
In all, 148 current lawmakers were
seeking their party nominations for an
other term in the Capitol. The majority
faced no primary challengers and no op
ponents in November.
In the House, Republicans hoped to
set up a slate of candidates for the gen
eral election that could take control of
the chamber for the first time since Re
construction.
Regardless of primary outcomes, a
handful of seats in the House will be filled
by first-time lawmakers after November
following nearly a dozen incumbents’
decision not to seek re-election.
Only one seat in the Senate is certain
to be filled by a newcomer. Sen. Jerry Pat
terson, R-Pasadena, opted to run for the
GOP land commission nomination
rather than re-election.
Rep. Mike Jackson, R-LaPorte, and
Democratic attorney Edward Wesley, of
Texas City, face off in November for Pat
terson’s seat. Neither faced primary op
ponents TUesday.
The GOP in 1996 took a 17-14 major
ity in the Senate. They hope now to
maintain — or expand — that majority
while picking up control of the House.
The GOP says a major force in
reaching its goals is popular Gov.
George W. Bush, even though the Re
publican governor has remained
mum on primary races.
The first-term governor easily won
the GOP nomination for a second term,
defeating one underfunded opponent
in the primary and will face Democra
tic Land Commissioner Garry Mauro in
November.
Mattox wins Democratic top lawyer slot
AUSTIN (AP) — Former attorney
general Jim Mattox on Tuesday won the
Democratic nomination to get his old
job back.
Railroad Commissioner Barry
Williamson took an early lead in a
three-way GOP primary to be the state’s
top lawyer.
It appeared an April 14 runoff would
be required to determine the Republi
can nominee.
The attorney general’s race was
crowded—drawing three Republicans
and three Democrats — after Democ
rat Dan Morales decided against seek
ing a third term.
Mattox, a former congressman who
left his job as the self-styled “people’s
lawyer” to run for governor in 1990, had
68 percent of the vote with 65 percent
of precincts reporting.
He said going into the general elec
tion, he would focus on his record
while attorney general.
“I’m very honored the people have
remembered and given me this oppor
tunity again,” Mattox said from an elec
tion-night celebration at Scholz Gar
den, a longtime Democratic gathering
place near the Capitol.
“The attorney general’s office was
set up as a watchdog agency.
“It’s very clear my record shows I’m
the best watchdog for the people of
Texas,” Mattox said.
Court of Criminal Appeals Judge
Morris Overstreet, who eight years ago
became the first black elected
statewide in Texas, had 19 percent of
the Democratic vote.
The third Democratic candidate was
Gene Kelly, a lawyer who now has lost
six bids for statewide office. He had 13
percent.
Williamson, the best-funded GOP
candidate, had 40 percent of his pri
mary’s vote with 50 percent of precincts
reporting.
Court-election results lean
conservative side in primar
DALLAS (AP) —All four incumbents on the
Texas Supreme Court appeared headed toward
nomination early in Tuesday’s primary' elec
tion.
If they can fend off their competitors in the
November general election, the panel will re
tain its 7-2 conservative edge.
The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals also
seemed to retain its conservative tenor Tues
day. The panel already has a 6-3 Republican
majority. Both candidates for Place 3 are Re
publicans, ensuring at least a 7-2 majority.
In the race for Supreme Court Place 1, Re
publican incumbent Justice Craig T. Enoch
will face Democratic challenger MikeWest-
ergren in November. Both ran unopposed in
their parties.
Democratic incumbent Justice Rose Spec-
tor will face one of two Republican challengers
— Candace Tyson or Harriet O’Neill — in the
general election for Place 2.
With 2 percent of the precincts reporting,
Ms. O’Neill was ahead, 63 percent to Ms.
Tyson’s 37 percent.
GOP incumbent Justice Greg Abbott will
face Democratic challenger David Van Os, a
lawyer and lecturer, in November for Place 3.
Both ran unopposed in their parties.
In the Republican primary for Place 4, Jus
tice Deborah Hankinson was ahead of lawyer
Steve Smith. With 2 percent of the precincts re
porting, Hankinson led 57 percent to 43 per
cent for Smith.
The winner will face attorney Jerry Scar
brough, the only Democrat running for the
seat, in the general election. ^
On the Court of Criminal Appeal JL
bent Judge Charles F. “Charlie" Bain:
crat. will try to fend off one of fivek
candidates in November for thePlad
Mike Keasler, a district judge fra
Prairie, led the field early with 37pen
ki Isaacks, a Dallas County prosed
lowed with 22 percent.
Other Republicans runningareft
ron, a Bryan attorney; Houston latvjwj
Oliver; and Austin lawyer David J
Nine people ran for Place 2, with
lawyer Winston Cochran the only
Two Republican candidates were
race in early returns. Harvey Hud
Court of Appeals judge, had 27 pe
vote, with Austin lawyer Cheryl Joh
second with 26 percent.
They’re vying for the spot lefn
Morris Overstreet, a Democrat mi
Texas attorney general.
Other Place 2 candidates are Mui
soe, an assistant district attorney
County, and Jeffrey B. Keck, a Dallas
I\vo Criminal Court oI Appeals st£
neys, Forrest Lumpkin and JohnC
also are on the GOP ballot, as we: ^
Worth lawyer William Harrison f-
Austin lawyer Jerry E. Smith
In the Place 3 GOP primary, inc
Judge Lawrence “Larry" Meyers was
contender Herb Hancock, a Harri;
I >1 U',1 1 ! ! Ml I I | M 'M i 'll I hi !(> perec: Jy J
mocrat filed.
Society of Women Engineers
When: TODAY - March 11
Time-. 6:45 p.m.
Place-. ENPH 202
Guest Speaker: Ms. Anne Buck from
Engineering Information Foundation
Topic - Career Planning
wi til tli e
TEXAS A&M SNOW SKf CLUB
This Spring Break
Trip includes: 6 night/5 day luxury condo stay, 4/5 day lift
ticket, round trip transportation on luxury sleeper coaches
Price: $495, for more information, call Chuck at 694-2726
ENTRY-LEVEL MANAGEMENT OPPORTUI
Thtfk A I n c
1 1 IvT
The MSC L.T. Jordan Institute
for International Awareness
presents:
Dr. BakamaNume
Professor of Geography
Texas A&M
Wednesday, March llth-4:00p.m. - Koldus 111
For more information, or to inform us of your needs, call 845-8770
Friends
Congregational
Church (ucc)
2200 Southwood Dr. 9 F.M. 2818
College Station. TX 77845
693-7021
Working late on Saturday or early on Sunday?
Can't get up on Sunday morning?
Seeking a Christ-centered church that is committed to serving God?
If so, then join us for Wednesday with Friends, a new contemporary
worship hour of spiritual renewal and revitalizing music.
Wednesday evenings 6:15 to 7:15 pm
“An Open and Affirming Congregation”
WANTED! WANTED!
Flex-Time
Computer Workers!
See Us at Our Table in the MSC
Wednesday, March 11, 1998
Outech Resource Group
Can’t Make it there...
Visit us at wrwnnr.otresource.com
CHAT & CHEW
with Dr. Malon Southerland
Vice President for Student Affairs
MARCH 12
11:00 - 1:00 PM
WEHNER
Business Building
Discuss questions
Voice concerns
Light Refreshments
SOME PEOPLE CALL YOU
NEED FOR STIMULATION
OVER THE TOR
WE CALL IT YOUR
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