Final tally, hot off the Secretary of State page:
Candidate Votes Pct ============================ Ben Bentzin 9,281 42.38 Donna Howard 12,618 57.62
Remember, this was a district drawn to elect a Republican, and Todd Baxter got 52.37% in 2002 when he knocked off incumbent Ann Kitchen. The rest of the district averaged about 57% GOP then. How times have changed. Here’s the Statesman story on Howard’s win. And if you’re looking for wider significance, consider that Howard’s win prolongs a nationwide winning streak by Democrats in special elections.
Congratulations to Donna Howard, our newest State Rep, whose election brings the Dems’ membership to 64. On to Dallas County and Katy Hubener‘s special election in two weeks!
Let this serve as a rallying point for all Texas hopefuls in 2006…it can be done, it will be done.
The is the year we make the impossible, possible.