By Kelly Young
kyoung@jacksonvilleprogress.com
The Political Spirit is making a comeback. During the previous election cycle for House District 11, back in 2006, the Jacksonville Daily Progress began a weekly political column — called The Political Spirit — which gave the two major candidates in the election an opportunity to share their platforms with the public. Each week we posed several policy questions on a given topic to both candidates and then reported their responses.
We are glad to report that both Chuck Hopson and Brian Walker’s campaigns have very willingly committed to participating in the endeavor again this year. Beginning next month, The Political Spirit will start up once again, appearing once per week for approximately 10 weeks. This should result in the column winding down just in time for the Nov. 4 elections.
Democratic incumbent Chuck Hopson is attempting to win his fifth term in the Texas House of Representatives. Hopson has been serving Cherokee, Houston, Rusk and Panola counties in the state legislature since 2000. Republican Brian Walker, an attorney and adjunct professor at Panola College, hopes to break into state government with his stances as both a fiscal and social conservative.
Hopson won re-election in 2006 by defeating opponent Larry Durrett by a margin of 17,588 to 15,900.
Two years ago, topics covered by the articles included illegal immigration, abortion and stem-cell research, property rights, taxes, economic development, the environment, education and sundry social issues.
While many of the topics this year will be the same or similar to the ones covered in the past, the Daily Progress needs your help to come up with the rest of the questions. If there are any general topics or specific questions you would like the candidates to answer, e-mail them to kyoung@jacksonvilleprogress.com and we will try to include as many as possible.
Please limit the submissions to policy questions that both candidates can answer equally. Personal attacks will not be published.
Judging by reader feedback in 2006, The Political Spirit column was a success, and we hope it will again serve to educate voters and offer a more complete view of both candidate’s political platforms.
Local News
Hopson, Walker agree to battle of ideas; topics are sought
- Local News
-
-
UIL realignment positive for Jacksonville, Rusk
The University Interscholastic League's bi-annual realignment, covering school terms 2012-13 and 2013-14, released on Thursday morning, drew cheers in Jacksonville and Rusk.
-
Woman dies in one vehicle accident
A local woman died Thursday evening in a one vehicle crash.
-
Rusk business might expand
Members of the city, businesses and education communities in Rusk met this week to encourage the job creation of one local business.
-
State looks at possibility of two primaries
Texas faces the possibility of hosting two primary dates for November elections.
-
County officials concerned by illegal dumping
Sheet rock, old couches, paint tins and more have been illegally dumped on a property off of County Road 3402.
-
JMS student council pushes smoke-free public
After a weekend-long retreat, Jacksonville Middle School student council members are ready to stand behind the city for tobacco free air.
-
National Letter of Intent today
Prep football standouts in the Class of 2012 will begin revealing their college plans early this morning — National Letter of Intent signing day, which is the first day a high school senior can officially sign with a college or university.
-
City looks to update website
The city of Rusk is looking into updating their web presence with a newly designed website.
-
Band originating at JC returns to Jacksonville
What began as an idea turned into a performing reality for five college students who met while attending Jacksonville College.
- Two injured at Fagen plant Tuesday morning
- More Local News Headlines
-
UIL realignment positive for Jacksonville, Rusk





