HD-84: Griffin and Frullo Headed For Runoff

Mark Griffin and John Frullo appear headed for a runoff next month to claim the GOP nod in the race for HD-84. Neither candidiate could muster more than 50 percent of the vote total. Griffin, a former Texas Tech regent, received 48.74 percent of the vote, with Frullo coming in a close second with 43.05 percent. The winner will challenge Democrat Carol Morgan in   November for the soon-to-be-vacated seat of HD-84 Republican Carl Isett. Ysidro Gutierrez, a third GOP challenger, trailed early and ended in the third spot with a meager 952 votes.

The Lubbock County district will greet a new face after 16 years of service from Isett, a U.S. Navy reservist who announced late last year he was stepping down in order to concentrate on his military career and spend more time with his family.

The candidates didn’t haul in as much campaign cash as in some other races, perhaps due to Isett’s decision to opt out just a few months before the election. Finance reports reflect that from Jan. 1 2009 to Feb. 20, 2010 Frullo raised about $75,000 and spent more than $63,600; Gutierrez raised about $8,000 and spent the same amount, while Griffin raised about $97,000 and spent more than $95,000.