LUBBOCK, Texas–Texas State Senator Robert Duncan of Lubbock resigned on Thursday ahead of his move Monday to Texas Tech to become the Texas Tech University Systems Chancellor. Duncan was first elected to the Texas Legislature in 1992 and has been the Senator of District 28 since 1996. Now the focus officially turns to the race to replace Duncan in the Texas Senate.
The favorite and first to announce that he would seek Duncan’s seat is State Representative Charles Perry. As has been previously reported by Breitbart Texas, Perry told KFYO-AM on May 20 that he would officially announce a campaign for SD-28 after Duncan steps down. Perry recently defeated former Lubbock ISD Board of Trustees President Steve Massengale in the Republican primary with 73 percent of the vote. Perry has represented District 83 since 2010 which includes part of Lubbock as well as part of the area in SD-28.
When Perry makes it official that he will be running, his name will have to be taken off the ballot in the November election for District 83. The Republican Party County Chairman in District 83 will have to chose a replacement for Perry for the November ballot.
Challenging Perry will be at least two other candidates. Former Texas Tech University official Jodey Arrington announced to the press that he would be seeking the Senate seat. The only other announced candidate is Wolfforth, Texas resident Eppie Garza. Arrington was a member of George W. Bush’s administration when Bush was Governor as well as President. In 1996, Arrington served as Appointments Manager. Arrington served as Associate Director of Presidential Personnel under President Bush. At age 28 in 2001, Arrington was hired to become Chief of Staff at the FDIC. In 2006, Arrington was hired as Chief of Staff to Texas Tech University System Chancellor Kent Hance. In 2011, Arrington was named Vice Chancellor of Research and Commercialization.
Two other people who have not ruled out a run for the Texas Senate seat are outgoing Lubbock City Councilman Todd Klein as well as John Steinmetz, a member of the Texas Tech Board of Regents and former Lubbock County Republican Party Chairman.
Governor Rick Perry has not set the date of the special election yet to replace Robert Duncan.
Follow Chad Hasty on Twitter @ChadHastyRadio.
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