While 15 Bell County government elections will be on the ballot, the office that has drawn the most interest from candidates so far is the District 55 seat for the Texas House of Representatives.
State Rep. Dianne White Delisi, R-Temple, has held the seat for 17 years, but she announced in September that she would not seek re-election.
Since then four Republicans and one Democrat have announced that they intend to seek the seat.
Local businessman John Alaniz was the first to throw his hat in the ring. He was followed by Sam Murphey (the lone Democrat), former Temple City Council member Martha Tyroch, local businessman Ralph Sheffield and former schoolteacher and small business owner Michael V. Pearce.
The incumbents for all 15 Bell County offices up for election have announced their intention to retain their seats. Most of them will be on hand at 6 p.m. Monday when Republicans are scheduled to file en masse from the commissioners’ courtroom at the county courthouse in downtown Belton.
Bell County Republican Chairwoman Nancy Boston of Temple said she thinks most of the GOP candidates will participate unless they have scheduling conflicts.
Democrats in the county have scheduled a filing session at the same time in the Harris Community Center, 401 N. Alexander St. in Belton.
Bell County Democratic Chairman Arthur Resa said if his party can overcome voter apathy, he is confident that a Democrat will be elected in one of the county races.
“We feel we really got a shot this time around,” he said.
Resa said he has had contact with Democrats from Killeen and Belton who have told him they intend to run for office. He declined to name the potential candidates or what office they might run for because they had not made their bids official yet.
Resa did say that U.S. Rep. John Carter, R-Round Rock, would be challenged by Democrat Brian Ruiz from Hutto.
Voters will also consider candidates for state representative in District 54, state senator and Sen. John Cornyn’s U.S. Senate seat.
promer@temple-telegram.com
