Down-ballot races draw challengers

KXAN (AUSTIN) - While the governor's race may dominate the primaries today, a number of down-ballot races also are drawing attention on Tuesday.

Among those races on the Democrat and Republican ballots:

•    Former high-profile Travis County district attorney Ronnie Earl e threw his hat into the ring in the lieutenant governor's race in the Democratic primary. Others on the ballot include restauranteur Marc Katz of Katz's Deli and AFL-CIO official Linda Chavez--Thomspon.

• In county races, incumbent Travis County commissioner Margaret Gomez is facing a challenge from former Austin City Council and Austin Community College trustee Raul Alvarez. Gomez is touting her support from law enforcement. Alvarez talks about building cross-governmental coalitions.

• Two district judge races have heated up in Travis County. Attorney Amy Clark Meachum and Justice Jan Patterson of the Third Court of Appeals have sparred heatedly during the primary for the 201st District. Court. Judge Suzanne Covington is leaving the bench. In the race to replace Charlie Baird in the 299th District race, attorney Mindy Montford and prosecutor Karen Sage are leading in a Democratic primary that also includes attorney Leonard Martinez and attorney Eve Schatelowitz  Alcantar.

• Three primaries in the Texas House have drawn high-profile interest. Consultant Milton Rister, orthopedic surgeon Charles Schwertner and executive Stephen Thomas are running to replace departing Rep. Dan Gattis in House District 20. Three are challenging Democratic Rep. Diana Maldonado in House District 52: attorney Stephen Casey, business owner Larry Gonzales and chief of staff Alyssa Eacono. Three Republicans also want to challenge Democratic Rep. Valinda Bolton in House Distrct 47: attorneys David Sewell and Holly Turner, plus general contractor Paul Workman.

• In the State Board of Education races, attorney Tim Tuggey is challenging incumbent businessman Ken Mercer in Place 5 in the Republican primary. In Place 10, which also covers part of Austin, three Republicans are vying to replace Cynthia Dunbar: educators Rebecca Osborne and Marsha Farney, plus attorney Brian Russell.