Former Democratic Congressman Chris Bell and Former Republican State District Judge Joan Huffman will face off in what many predict will be a very tough runoff race for the State Senate District 17 seat.
On November 4, Bell finished first in a race with six candidates, but the runoff could be much tougher.
The district leans republican, and without Senator Barack Obama on the top of the ballot, some democrats could be less motivated to return to the polls.
From the Governor’s office:
AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry today announced a special runoff election to fill the vacancy in Senate District 17 to be held on Dec. 16, 2008. A special election to fill the seat left vacant by the resignation of Sen. Kyle Janek was held during the November 4 general election; however no candidate received a majority of the votes, as mandated by state law.
Early voting will run from December 8 through December 12.
The winner of this special election will serve out the remainder of Sen. Janek’s term, which expires in January 2011.
Mary Benton Media 