Quorum Report has the press release confirming that Dr. Charles Schwertner will enter the HD 20 Republican primary to replace Rep. Dan Gattis. (In case you were wondering, Schwertner's family goes back far enough in Williamson County to have a town named for them). I believe this brings the HD 20 race to two candidates (Milton Rister is the other formally announced candidate). Former Cedar Park city councilman Stephen Thomas is also rumored to have an interest in running for HD 20 (he announced his resignation from the council this week, official Oct. 1).

 

And in case you missed it Tuesday, Travis County entered the fray with Republican Glenn Bass announcing candidacy in HD 48, against incumbent Rep. Donna Howard (I don't have to say the "D" part, do I, loyal reader?).

 

And, this isn't primary news, but the House Redistricting Committee held the first hearing on upcoming redistricting today, and Will Lutz at Lone Star Report has an update here.

 

Perhaps state house races and interim redistricting committee meetings don't meet the standards of the mainstream press, which is more interested in the if-it-bleeds-it-leads nature of the gubernatorial primary, but hey, someone has to watch what's happening down ballot.