Republican battle for Texas House District 96

State Rep. Bill Zedler has a slate of priorities for the 2017 legislative session: addressing illegal immigration, securing the border, ending sanctuary cities and requiring E-Verify.

And that’s just the beginning.

“I will continue working to reduce or eliminate the business franchise tax and pass a constitutional amendment that limits the growth of government to population plus inflation,” said Zedler, R-Arlington, who also said eliminating taxpayer benefits to illegal immigrants is a key goal.

Zedler and Wesley Nelson, a Mansfield product manager, face off in the March 1 Republican primary to determine who will claim the party’s nomination to represent Texas House District 96, which includes parts of Arlington, Mansfield and Kennedale.

The winner will face Democrat Sandra D. Lee in the November general election.

At stake is a two-year term that pays $7,200 a year.

Early voting runs Feb. 16-26.

Issues

Nelson didn’t respond to requests from the Star-Telegram for information about his candidacy.

Zedler, a 72-year-old consultant, is seeking another term representing a seat he held form 2003 to 2008 and since 2011.

“There are certain principles that have made America the greatest country in the world,” Zedler said. “Those principles are free enterprise, limited government, low tax burden and family values.

“I ran to fight for and protect these principles, and I will continue to do so if re-elected to the Texas House.”

This story was originally published February 16, 2016 at 4:17 PM with the headline "Republican battle for Texas House District 96."