Retired attorney to challenge Hutchison in Texas

By MARK BABINECK
Associated Press Writer

April 12, 2000
Web posted at: 10:00 a.m. EDT (1400 GMT)

HOUSTON (AP) -- A retired military attorney has won the Democratic nomination to challenge Republican incumbent Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison in November, easily winning one of four Texas runoffs.

Gene Kelly, who lost six previous statewide races, defeated former one-term state Rep. Charles Gandy in Tuesday's election. They emerged from a field of five Democrats in the March 14 primary.

With all precincts reporting today, Kelly had 143,970 votes, or 58 percent, to 102,315, or 42 percent, for Gandy. Hutchison, whose campaign has more than $6 million in the bank, will be the heavy favorite in November.

Meanwhile, 14-year state Rep. John Culberson won the Republican nomination for retiring GOP Rep. Bill Archer's seat. Culberson defeated businessman Peter Wareing in a bitterly fought runoff.

Culberson received 29,968 votes, or 60 percent, while Wareing had 20,015 votes, or 40 percent.

Wareing accused Culberson of being a career politician and an ineffective leader. Culberson branded Wareing a disloyal Republican for voting in six Democratic primaries and donating to Democrats as recently as 1997.

Democrat Jeff Sells is expected to provide only token opposition in the predominantly Republican district in November.

Also, retired Temple oilman Ramsey Farley defeated Belton contractor Rodney Geer in a central Texas GOP runoff to challenge Democratic Rep. Chet Edwards.

Bryndan Wright, a former aide to House Majority Leader Dick Armey, defeated retired lawyer Bill Payne for the right to oppose Rep. Martin Frost, the third-ranking Democrat in the House.

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