Craig Estes of Wichita Falls last week announced his candidacy to fill the vacant senate seat of the late Tom Haywood. The Republican businessman stopped in Clarendon last Thursday to introduce himself to local voters at Renee’s Diner.
Estes will be involved in what his campaign calls “a political free-for-all” as any candidate that wants to can run for the seat regardless of party affiliation. Gov. Rick Perry has called for a special election to be held November 6, 2001. If no candidate receives 50 percent of the vote, a runoff will be held within 30 days.
Estes says he was inspired by Haywood, who passed away last month, and he says he considered the senator a friend.
“I can’t fill his shoes,” Estes said, “but I can carry on his legacy.”
If he’s elected, Estes admits representing Donley County will probably be a short-term project. The Texas Legislature won’t be in regular session again until 2003; and if the state’s Legislative Redistricting Board plan is adopted, Donley County will be moved out of Senate District 30 and into the district represented by Sen. Robert L. Duncan of Lubbock.
“I need Donley County’s help to be elected,” Estes said. “There are things to be done even though the legislature is out of session.”
Estes is chairman of the board of Estes, Inc., an ag-chemical company founded by his father in 1951. He has never held elected office but says he has been active in party politics at the county level.
The candidate is still studying a variety of issues before taking positions on them but says he has a conservative philosophy that has been well received by the district.
Estes is married to the former Jennifer Huff of Wichita Falls. They have three children: Abby attends Vanderbilt University; Andrew attends Auburn University; and Mark is a junior at Wichita Falls High School.
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