Local Politics

Joe King Running for County Judge

The local Republican primary next year should be more interesting than usual.

Joe King, one of the most successful county politicians in recent years after his 20-year run as sheriff, has decided to take on incumbent Brazoria County Judge John Willy, who's held the county's top executive office for 10 years.

King, who retired from sheriff just last year, apparently isn't ready for the rocking chair.

He's holding a hamburger & hot dog fund-raiser on Oct. 30 at the Armadillo Ballroom out West o' the Brazos ($5 donation requested). His wife Jackie is his campaign treasurer.

The cowboy hat-wearing King took out two ads promoting the fund-raiser in the recent issue of The Sentinel, the Freeport-based weekly.

Meanwhile, Lake Jackson Mayor Shane Pirtle splurged for a front-page, top 'o the masthead ad in The Sentinel to announce his steak 'n shrimp fund-raiser this Thursday at the Lake Jackson Civic Center ($25 per person). Pirtle has Precinct 4 County Commissioner Larry Stanley in his sights.

If that isn't enough to keep political junkies occupied, the rumors are hot 'n heavy that State Rep. Dennis Bonnen, R-Angleton, is hunting around for someone to run against Brazoria County District Attorney Jeri Yenne, a fellow Republican.

All of this, I guess, goes to show that these Brazoria County Republicans are like any other family -- sometimes they step on each other's toes and get into squabbles.

Maybe these internecine Republican battles will be just what the down 'n out Democrats need to get their foot back in the door next fall, but I wouldn't bet money on it.