Each candidate seemed determined to outflank the others on the political right. And their conservative words were well received by most of the retirees, who know exactly what they want in a state rep: a conservative lawmaker who will cut taxes. (It also helps if they oppose President Barack Obama's health care plan.)

 

The seat in the district, which has elected only Republicans since its boundaries were redrawn in 2002, is primed for a new lawmaker.

 

Rep. Dan Gattis, R-Georgetown , said last year that he is stepping down to spend more quality time with his family and law practice.

 

No Democrats are running. The four Republican candidates are:

• Milton Rister , 58, of Georgetown, executive director of Texas Legislative Council, which drafts bills and conducts research for the Texas Legislature.

• Charles Schwertner , 39, of Georgetown, an orthopedic surgeon and managing partner of a medical practice.

• Stephen Thomas , 48, former deputy executive director of the Texas Facilities Commission and a former Cedar Park City Council member.

• Patsy Williams , 71, of Georgetown, an auditor, owner of Williams Data Services , concealed handgun instructor and co-owner of Astro Shooting Range.

Williams touted her 32 years of experience working the realms of tax administration, accounting and auditing. Attendees at the forum seemed to approve of her call to eliminate school district property taxes and pay for education with money saved by cutting spending elsewhere. As of the most recent campaign finance report, Williams had not raised any money.

 

Thomas talked about his quarter century of experience working in state government and his tenure as a city council member. Thomas has raised $8,580, according to a Jan. 15 filing with the Texas Ethics Commission.

 

Schwertner emphasized his work as a physician, pharmacist and small-business owner. He also mentioned that a Central Texas town was named after his family, which has been involved in ranching the area for six generations. He has raised $70,500, according to the most recent ethics commission report.

 

Rister didn't highlight his work at the Capitol, but instead he repeated that he is a "rock-solid conservative" who is "pro-life, pro-guns, pro-jobs." He said, "Liberals fear me" because he would stand up against tax hikes . Rister's campaign raised $27,768, the most recent report said.

 

Sun City residents discovered that the candidates lined up pretty well with the others - ideologically speaking - with most of the development's retirees.

 

In the agree-fest of a gathering, the candidates often echoed each other's support of ideas such as promoting fiscal conservatism, cutting taxes, slashing spending, strengthening border security and improving transportation.

 

"In general, Republican primaries tend to attract conservative candidates, and conservative candidates tend to agree on many issues," Williamson County Republican Party Chairman Bill Fairbrother said.

 

Fairbrother said many voters in other parts of the district, which stretches across northwestern Williamson County and includes Milam County, share the same concerns as the people in Sun City.

 

However there are other issues important to the two-county district. For example, Cedar Park residents, many of whom commute into Austin, are particularly worried about transportation. Education is always a concern in areas with many families, such as Round Rock . And in Milam County, agricultural and water issues are crucial matters.

 

However, as important as each region might be for a candidate, Sun City remains key to any one trying to get elected in District 20 because voter participation is high there.

 

"They're certainly a voting bloc that cannot be ignored," Fairbrother said. "Results over the past decade show that you don't necessarily need to win in Sun City, but you do need to be competitive and actively compete for votes out there."

 

With a four-candidate race, a runoff is virtually guaranteed. The runoff would occur on April 13, six weeks after the primary on March 2.

 

The winner among the four Republicans will face Kate Wedeikes, an independent from Rockdale, in the general election.

 

She said that she is just beginning her campaign and hasn't raised any money.

 

You can view the Statesman article by clicking here.