Another contender in CD23

The field in the newly drawn CD23 has expanded by one.

Lukin Gilliland Jr., a San Antonio businessman and longtime Democratic fundraiser, said today he'd run in the newly redrawn Congressional District 23. And he backed up his bid by plowing $500,000 into his campaign account.

The first-time candidate will challenge Republican Henry Bonilla, a 14-year incumbent, in the Nov. 7 open election. He'll also face at least two fellow Democrats: former Congressman Ciro Rodriguez and El Pasoan Rick Bolanos.

So far, Bonilla, Rodriguez and Bolanos have filed to run with the Texas secretary of state. Gilliland said he'd so the same Friday, the filing deadline.

Gilliland, 54, said he seeded his war chest with $500,000 to show the seriousness of his commitment.

"I will focus on the issues of critical concern in our communities," Gilliland said in a statement released to the press. "And I won't hesitate to defend myself or my supporters against the inevitable attacks from Washington D.C.-style politicians."

I've said before that I think Democrats need to focus on this race as a golden opportunity to do all kinds of good. I don't know if Lukin Gilliland is the guy to beat Henry Bonilla, but if he's really going to drop a half million bucks into this, and in doing so helps drive up Democratic turnout for this race and others downballot, that's all to the good. The goal here is to hold Bonilla under fifty percent and force a runoff, where you can be sure there'll be plenty of money and attention to go around. We'll see how it goes.

Meanwhile, over in CD21, John Courage has made his official filing. He's been a beneficiary of the Netroots August fundraising push, and he's got a BOR diary that gives an update on his campaign. (All links via Texas 21.) Check 'em out.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on August 25, 2006 to Election 2006 | TrackBack