Eight Is Enough

---

Williamson County

Sheriff

In the three-way race to succeed retiring sheriff Ed Richards, former FBI agent John Maspero is narrowly favored over two of Richards' former deputies, Ricki Russell and Rick Faught, the latter of whom was fired after years of alleged incompetence.

Precinct 3 Constable

Dennis Jaroszewski, who resigned as Pct. 3 constable in 1998 amid charges that he used the county's computers to surf for porn, is trying to get his old job back. He faces four opponents in the Republican primary, including his appointed successor, Bobby Gutierrez.

---

Hays County

Commissioners Court, Pct. 3

GOP incumbent Bill Burnett will be challenged by Craig Payne, the four-term veteran he replaced in 1996, and by neighborhood leader Carol Mitchell. On the Dem side, two enviro candidates, businessman Red Tatum and green-builder Elizabeth Sumter, are squaring off.

Commissioners Court, Pct. 1

Four-term San Marcos City Council member Rick Hernandez challenges incumbent Debbie Gonzales-Ingalsbe -- the first female commissioner in Hays County history -- for the Dem nomination. No Republicans are running.

---

State

Texas Senate, District 3

Shamed for soliciting a prostitute on South Congress two years ago, Drew Nixon is retiring his East Texas seat, leaving three Republicans angling for his seat. Whoever wins, Dem David Fisher of Newton has a good shot at winning this one in November and reversing the GOP's 16-15 majority in the upper house.

Texas House, District 130

Two Republicans -- carpet cleaner Aubrey Thoede and former congressional aide and UT baseball player Corbin Van Arsdale -- are vying to claim the seat being vacated by Houston's John Culberson in his run for Congress.

Harris County District Attorney

Five Republicans are fighting to fill the boots of legendary D.A. John B. Holmes, who is retiring after 20 rough and rocky years. All five, like Holmes, support the death penalty. Of them, Chuck Rosenthal, who has the support of Holmes and the two D.A.s who preceded him in office, has the edge. The winner will face Democrat Jim Dougherty, who is running unopposed, in November.

---

Nation

U.S. House, Seventh Congressional District

Bill Archer is retiring his Houston seat after 30 years, and nine GOP candidates are fighting to succeed him in this overwhelmingly Republican district.