Photo: iStockphoto
The Harris County judge race appears to be heating up, with a new potential GOP candidate possibly preparing to toss his hat into the ring. Reports indicate that Houston Fire Fighters Association President Marty Lancton could be announcing a run soon.
Lancton has earned a name for himself in the first-responder community, and that name recognition could prove to be a major asset for him. Charles Blain with Urban Reform explained, "Being very involved in everything going on at Houston City Council, his name has been constantly in the media for at least eight years. People know who he is and what he advocates for."
Blain did say there's a catch. While city voters might be well aware of Lancton's record, others throughout the county might not be. He said, "A lot of that has been city-focused. How much have people outside the city paid attention to city stuff, so that they are as aware as city voters of who he is?"
Lancton does appear to be hopping into the race at a key point, before he has to fight through too much competition. Blain explained that, "Aliza Dutt was the presumed frontrunner, and it was kind of a small pool. You've got a couple of other candidates in there, and I think at this point now it becomes a conversation of, where do people start to fall, and where do alliances come into play?"
He says now the key is to win over different precinct chairs and other key grassroots organizers in the party.