Smithville, Tx–At a gathering for barbecue and brand-building Saturday, Bastrop County Democrats staged a showcase for candidates in next year’s party primaries in advance of the Nov. 2010 general election for county and state offices.
Smithville’s American Legion Hall was the scene of the gathering Oct. 3 when the festivities were highlighted by local standard bearers including incumbent Bastrop County Judge Ronnie McDonald, Pct. 4 Commissioner Lee Dildy, County Treasurer Kathy Schroeder, County Clerk Rose Pietsch and District Court Clerk Cathy Smith. All have announced bids for re-election next year.
But the meeting also made clear that it will not be a free ride for all incumbents in the party primaries next year. Dildy, the senior Democrat holding a Bastrop County office, for instance, will be challenged by Michael Flowers for the party’s nomination next year.
Also on hand was Dickie Henderson of Bastrop, who is seeking nomination for the Pct. 1 Justice of the Peace post currently held by Judge Bill Weddle. Henderson is the brother of Pct. 3 Constable Matt Henderson. Both are sons of the late Bill Henderson who once served as Justice of the Peace for both Pct. 1 and Pct. 3 at the same time.
Also on hand for the event were veteran Texas Dist. 25 U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, along with candidates who hope the bear the Democratic banner next year in a race for a U.S. Senate seat. Those hopefuls included former State Sen. John Sharp ( whose district included Bastrop County at the time) who later served a term as state comptroller and narrowly lost an election as Texas lieutenant governor. Also represented was Houston Mayor Bill White, who also hopes to be the Democratic nominee for the senate seat being vacated by GOP Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.
Hutchison is challenging Gov. Rick Perry for another four-year term.
White was reported as flying to the Smithville gathering but unable to land his airplane because of stormy weather.
Organizers estimated the Saturday crowd in Smithville at about 200.