Races draw interest in Houston, Fort Worth

11/07/2007

San Antonio Express-News

AUSTIN — While statewide interest in Tuesday's election was low, some local races sparked active turnouts.

Houston Mayor Bill White easily won re-election to his final, two-year term as leader of the nation's fourth-largest city with only minor opposition.

White faced Outlaw Josey Wales IV, a professional wrestling promoter, and meat packer Amanda Ulman, a Socialist Workers Party activist, in the nonpartisan race.

Houston-area residents also voted for City Council seats and several local bond elections for schools and roads. An $800 million bond proposal for Houston schools was trailing in early votes.

In the Panhandle, just two people were eligible to vote to confirm the creation of a fresh-water supply district in Roberts County that would help billionaire T. Boone Pickens deliver water to growing Texas communities.

The two voters? Pickens' ranch manager and his wife.

It passed, 2-0.

In Fort Worth, lone Democrat Dan Barrett led a field of seven and advanced to a Dec. 11 runoff with Republican Mark Shelton in a special election to replace Republican state Rep. Anna Mowery.

Mowery retired after 19 years in office for the District 97 seat in Tarrant County.

The race has been considered a bellwether for some GOP officials, who are looking at the race's implications for state House Speaker Tom Craddick, who has faced several attempts by both parties to oust him from his seat.

In Dallas, voters deciphering some confusing ballot wording defeated a plan that would have prevented a high-speed toll road within the levees of the Trinity River downtown.