Just one day after State Rep. Jonathan Stickland (R–Bedford) announced he would not seek re-election after serving four terms in the Texas Legislature, the race to replace him in the Texas House is already taking off as Jeff Cason announced his candidacy for House District 92.
“I’m running because, as a follower of Christ, husband, father, grandfather, and a committed conservative, I’m deeply concerned about the current size, transparency, and cost of government,” Cason said in a press release announcing his campaign.
A former Bedford city councilman who fought against property taxes increases while in office, Cason says he is committed to bringing that fight to Austin.
“We will earn the votes of the people of Texas House District 92. This will be a hard-fought campaign and we are going full throttle from day one,” Cason added. “I am committed to running an honorable, Christ-centered campaign. We will run on issues that matter—not personal attacks.”
Stickland surprised conservatives across the state yesterday with his announcement that he would be retiring after this term.
“After much prayerful consideration and reflection, I have determined it is not the Lord’s will for me to seek reelection,” he told supporters on Monday.
Other candidates rumored to enter the Republican primary field include Bedford City Councilman Roger Fisher and Trasa Robertson Cobern, a former candidate for Tarrant County’s tax assessor-collector.
Steve Riddell, a Democrat who ran unsuccessfully in 2018 against Stickland, also announced his candidacy earlier this year.
Stickland has not yet issued an endorsement in the race, but indicated that he could do so soon during a radio interview Tuesday morning, saying “I don’t want to steal the thunder” and adding that he would eventually be throwing his chosen successor “some love.”
Stickland later shared Cason’s announcement on his Facebook page, saying he was “VERY happy to see my friend, Jeff Cason step up and put his name on the ballot to replace me for State Representative.”
