Hopson loses, Clardy new State Rep.

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Travis Clardy and his wife Judy pose for a photo with their two youngest twin boys, Luke and John, in Nacogdoches following Clardy's victory in the July 31 District 11 State Representative runoff election against incumbent Chuck Hopson. Photo courtesy of the Clardy Campaign

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August 1, 2012

Hopson loses, Clardy new State Rep.

Faith Harper Jacksonville Daily Progress The Jacksonville Daily Progress Wed Aug 01, 2012, 12:15 PM CDT

JACKSONVILLE — For the first time in 12 years, a newcomer will go to Austin in January to represent District 11 in the Texas House of Representatives.

The seat filled by Chuck Hopson, R-Jacksonville, will now belong to Travis Clardy, R-Nacogdoches.

“I'm very grateful that we were able to see it through and I can't wait to have the opportunity to serve the folks I've met over the past 10 months,” Clardy said.

After redistricting, the district is comprised of Cherokee, Nacogdoches and Rusk Counties.

Clardy won by nearly three percent overall, with a total of 51.14 percent to Hopson's 48.85 percent. The race was a close one with 367 votes between the two candidates, with voters casting 8,184 ballots for Clardy and 7,817 for Hopson.

“Very few people have ever got to serve in the House of Representatives and I'm very, very fortunate,” Hopson said. “I would like to thank all the people that supported me in all of my endeavors.”

Clardy was strongest in Nacogdoches, his hometown county, winning 83.34 percent of the vote to Hopson's 16.65 percent. In the county 4,473 ballots were cast for Clardy while 894 were cast for Hopson.

The numbers were more favorable for Hopson in Rusk and Cherokee Counties, but not enough to close the gap. Hopson pulled 64.76 percent in Rusk County to Clardy's 35.23 percent. In Cherokee County, Hopson's hometown, he netted 65.46 percent of votes to Clardy's 34.53 percent.

“I got elected to the city council here (in Jacksonville), I got elected to the school board, I was on planning and zoning commission for 12 years, and I did this for 12 years,” Hopson said. “People in Cherokee County have been special. I was born here, and they are just special people and I appreciate all the support.”

Clardy said he would enjoy the victory for the night, and work over the next few months to prepare for a smooth transition to Austin.

“We will start rolling our sleeves up and start working on the issues,” he said, adding he will need input from authorities in Rusk and Cherokee counties.

“I've learned a lot, but what I've learned is I have a lot to learn,” he said. “We have a few months now to get our game plan together so when I (go to) Austin, we can hit the ground running.”

He said he will work toward and support the same issues he campaigned on: education, energy, water, and the protection of state hospitals. Forward thinking will help build a better East Texas, Clardy said.

•All numbers are complete, but unofficial.

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Hopson loses, Clardy new State Rep.

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