With 198 legislators on the ballot next year, there ought to be more fear in the air. But only a few are in obvious political trouble. Who’s on the list, and what makes them vulnerable?
Texas House of Representatives
2010: Plano Dominoes
Plano City Councilwoman Mabrie Griffith Jackson is telling supporters she will resign that city job as early as Monday to put her name into the race to replace Rep. Brian McCall, R-Plano, who has decided he won’t seek an 11th term next year.
2010: McCall won’t seek reelection
Brian McCall, a key member of House Speaker Joe Straus’ leadership team, won’t seek reelection next year
2010: Hopson’s BFF
Republican Brian Walker, who lost a close race to Democrat Chuck Hopson in 2008, endorsed Hopson’s reelection bid next year — now that Hopson has switched to the GOP.
Texas Democratic Party on Hopson’s party switch
Texas Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie addresses state Rep. Chuck Hopson’s switch to the Republican party. The move increases the Republican edge in the state House to 77-73.
Hopson’s Choice
Rep. Chuck Hopson, D-Jacksonville, is switching parties, saying that “”President Obama and the Democrats in Congress just don’t reflect the values of this district.” That’s a severe blow to Democrats hoping to win a majority in the Texas House.
TribBlog: Chavez to decide on Senate by Turkey Day
As candidates stack up to challenge her, state Rep. Norma Chavez, D-El Paso, said she will make a decision about running for the Texas Senate by Thanksgiving.
Shapleigh’s out and then what?
El Paso state Sen. Eliot Shapleigh’s surprise announcement that he won’t seek another term in the Texas Senate in 2010 set off speculation about his plans for higher office — and a vigorous fight to replace him.


