Ron Paul's district becomes an Election Day fight

  LEAGUE CITY, TX -- One of the few competitive Election Day races in Texas is a seat that hasn't been up for grabs in more than a decade: Ron Paul's congressional district.

The former presidential candidate is retiring from Congress after more than 20 years. Most of that was spent representing in the 14th Congressional District, where Republican Randy Weber and Democrat Nick Lampson are vying to become Paul's successor.

Weber is a state lawmaker who burnished a reputation as one of the most conservative members in the Texas Legislature. Lampson is trying to return to Congress, and is running as a moderate in a redrawn district that is no longer as firmly Republican.

Paul seldom worried about losing. He was re-elected with at least 60 percent of the vote his last six tries.

(Copyright ©2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Politics »

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Galveston runoff election being held Saturday

  GALVESTON, TX (KTRK) -- Galveston is holding a runoff election tomorrow.

The mayor's job and the seat for Council District 4 are both up for grabs. In the mayor's race, Joe Jaworski is up against Lewis Rosen. In district four, Dianna Puccetti and Norman Pappous are both in the hunt.

Polls will be open from 7am to 7pm. There are nine polling locations. CheckGalvestonVotes.org to find your location.

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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League City moves city's election date to November

  LEAGUE CITY, TX (KTRK) -- The League City City Council has voted to move the city's election date.

League City will start holding its elections on the same date as the November general elections.

City Councilman Mick Phalen told Eyewitness News that moving the date from May until November will save the city $10,000 and increase voter turnout.

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Constable Jack Abercia drops out of primary election

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- On the heels of a 13 Undercover investigation into Harris County Precinct 1 Constable Jack Abercia's office, the 20-year incumbent has announced his withdrawal from the primary election.

Lane Lewis, the new chairman of the Harris County Democratic Party, told us late Wednesday afternoon that he received a letter Tuesday morning from Abercia. It stated that Abercia was withdrawing his name from the primary ballot, citing health reasons.

The news comes about two weeks after 13 Undercover broke exclusive details involving Abercia's office. Multiple sources tell 13 Undercover the FBI is investigating possible bribes to Pct. 1 officials. Among those under scrutiny are two of the highest ranking commanders in Pct. 1.

Sources told 13 Undercover that the bribery investigation centers on the hiring of a deputy who'd been turned down by seven other law enforcement agencies.

"With Abercia stepping aside, that opens up a seat that's been held for 20 years by one person. It's a seat that most likely will go to a Democrat, given that the Precinct 1 is a reliable Democratic district," said Mark Jones, chairman of the Rice University Department of Political Science.

Four candidates for are already on the ballot: Cindy Vara-Leija, Quincy Whitaker, Alan Rosen and Grady Castleberry.

The deadline to file was December 19, but officials anticipate it reopening sometime in February because of the court battle over redistricting.

"It does open up the race; however, since Cindy Vara-Leija has already established a campaign and has the support of a lot of Hispanic heavyweights in the city, such as Jessica Ferrara, Mario Gallegos [and] Ed Gonzalez, she's likely to be the odds on favorite to win the Democratic nomination now that Abercia has stepped aside," Jones said.

Abercia has not endorsed anyone at this time.

We attempted to reach Pct. 1 for a comment and are awaiting a response. The democratic primary is April 3.

For months now, 13 Undercover has been investigating constables. The reports have helped to spark three separate investigations by both federal and local authorities.

While the FBI is reportedly looking into bribery allegations at Pct. 1, the Harris County district attorney and the county attorney are both investigating Pct. 6 Constable Victor Trevino and Pct. 7 Constable May Walker. The allegations against Trevino are potential misuse of charity funds, county personnel and county equipment. The Walker investigation centers around the possible misuse of county equipment and personnel, as well as possible illegal fundraising.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Red light camera election ruled invalid

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- There's a major development in the legal battle over Houston's red light cameras. A judge has ruled last November's red light cameras charter amendment vote is invalid.

The ruling came down from U.S. District Judge Lynn Hughes today. However, this does not mean that the red light cameras will be turned back on and tickets will be issued immediately. Judge Hughes' ruling reads in part, "The charter itself and Texas law limit the ability of citizens to initiate changes to the city's charter and ordinances. The nature of the proposition was to repeal a single ordinance about techniques for enforcing traffic laws. It was done beyond the time limit in the charter for repealing an ordinance." Voters wanted them out, but the cameras have remained in place while the battle is being fought in federal court between the city of Houston and ATS, the camera vendor. The city is hoping to avoid paying damages to the company for dropping the contract. Mayor Annise Parker issued a statement saying, "Judge Hughes' ruling means that we have several options to consider. I will consult with City Attorney Dave Feldman and City Council members as we deliberate the future of the red light camera program in Houston. Right now the cameras continue to monitor intersections, but no tickets are being issued."

Paul Kubosh, a lawyer who led the fight against the cameras, told us today's ruling is "judicial activism at its worst."

Stay with ABC13 Eyewitness News for the latest on this developing story.

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Local election results

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Voters headed to the polls Saturday to decide several key races across our area.

In Galveston, voters were deciding whether people should pay to park on the Seawall during peak hours. Supporters said the money will maintain public facilities, while opponents feared the fee will drive tourists away. According to final numbers, the ordinance will pass with 61 percent of voters saying yes to 39 percent who oppose.

There were two closely watched mayoral races in our area. Kemah Mayor Matt Wiggins lost to challenger Bob Cummins. According to poll results, Cummins overtook the incumbent with 285 votes to Wiggins' 227.

And in Pearland, incumbent Tom Reid will hold onto his seat. Unofficial results have him at nearly 60 percent of the vote, leading former Pearland city council member Kevin Cole. That's with 97 percent of precincts reporting.

As for local school board races, in Galena Park, voters reelected incumbents Wilfred J. Broussard, Jr., June Harris, and Dawn Fisher to the board. And in Katy ISD, Bill Proctor, Terry Huckaby and Henry Dibrell were eleted to board positions 3, 4 and 5, respectively. More school board race results can be found in the links on this page.

We'll have complete results for you on Eyewitness News Sunday morning.

(Copyright ©2011 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
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Saturday election sites

  The following locations have scheduled elections today from 7am to 7pm. For polling places and voting information, contact the city or school district listed. For election results after the polls close, visit abc13.com.

You can also find your polling locations by visiting the Texas Secretary of State website.

Harris County: Baytown, Bellaire, Bunker Hill Village, Deer Park, Humble, Katy, La Porte, Nassau Bay, Pasadena, Piney Point Village, Seabrook, Shoreacres, Spring Valley, Tomball, Webster, West University Place, Galena Park ISD, Goose Creek ISD, Katy ISD, Spring Branch ISD.

Brazoria County: Alvin, Angleton, Brazoria, Clute, Freeport, Jones Creek, Lake Jackson, Liverpool, Manvel, Pearland, Port Freeport, Quintana, Richwood, Surfside Beach, Sweeny, Sweeny Hospital District, Alvin ISD, Brazosport ISD, Columbia-Brazoria ISD, Danbury ISD, Pearland ISD, Sweeny ISD.

Chambers County: Anahuac, Anahuac ISD, Barbers Hill ISD.

Fort Bend County: Arcola, Beasley, Fairchilds, Fulshear, Meadows Place, Missouri City, Needville, Orchard, Pleak, Rosenberg, Simonton, Sugar Land, Fort Bend ISD, Lamar CISD, Needville ISD, Stafford MSD.

Galveston County: Galveston, Kemah, La Marque, League City, Tiki Island, Clear Creek ISD, College of the Mainland, La Marque ISD, Santa Fe ISD, Texas City ISD.

Liberty County: Cleveland, Daisetta, Dayton, Devers, Hardin, Mont Belvieu, Cleveland ISD, Dayton ISD, Devers ISD, Hull-Daisetta ISD, Liberty ISD.

Montgomery County: Montgomery, Oak Ridge North, Panorama Village, Splendora, The Woodlands Township, Willis, Montgomery ISD, New Caney ISD, Splendora ISD.

Waller County: Brookshire, Hempstead, Prairie View, Waller, Waller ISD.

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