State Representative John Smithee (R-Amarillo) has drawn a challenger for the first time in ten years.
Mike Purcell, an Amarillo Democrat, filed the paperwork with the Texas Democratic Party to seek the spot currently held by Smithee. According to his LinkedIn profile, Purcell is the District 31 Texas State Executive Committeeman for the Texas Democratic Party. Purcell is also the president of the Potter-Randall Democratic Club.
Smithee has served in the Texas House of Representatives since 1985. His last appearance in a contested race was in 2008, when Smithee handily defeated Democrat James Wood and Libertarian Kevin Howell. Smithee netted 79 percent of the vote in that race.
Primary election day is March 6th. The general election is set for November 6th.
