Texas House member drops out of race after challenger files for Republican primary
Editor’s note: No other candidate filed to run for this post during the extended filing period. There are two candidates in the race: Republican David Cook and Democrat Joe Drago.
One day after Mansfield Mayor David Cook filed to challenge him in the Republican primary to represent House District 96, state Rep. Bill Zedler withdrew his bid to seek re-election.
Zedler, 76, said Tuesday that he has been having health issues and talked to his wife about retiring from the Texas Legislature.
“Maybe it’s just time to take care of yourself, take care of medical issues you’ve got,” Zedler, R-Arlington, said he thought. “I’ll still work to make sure we have a successful November.
“I might not be the guy, but it’s important to me, more important than anything, that we are successful in November.”
Joe Drago is unopposed in the Democratic primary and will face Cook in the November general election.
The House district includes parts of Arlington, Burleson, Crowley, Fort Worth, Kennedale and Mansfield. It is among the five that Tarrant Democrats have said they are targeting, along with districts 92, 93, 94 and 97.
“We know District 96 is highly winnable for a Democrat,” Tarrant County Democratic Party Chair Deborah Peoples said. “We are confident that whoever is in that primary, we are going to win the race.”
Because Zedler withdrew on the first day after the filing deadline, there will be a filing extension for Republicans seeking to run for the office. The new deadline is 6 p.m. Monday, according to the Secretary of State’s Office.
Zedler, 76, has represented this district from 2003 to 2008 and since 2011.
At stake is a two-year term that pays $7,200 a year.
The Texas Democratic Party predicted Tuesday that Democrats will win this district.
“Texas Republicans are in a complete freefall and know Texas Democrats will take back the Texas House,” said Abhi Rahman, communications director for the Texas Democratic Party.
Cook’s candidacy
Zedler said Cook, who did not immediately return requests for comment from the Star-Telegram, told him Monday morning that he was going to file to run in the Republican primary for House District 96.
Cook, an attorney and longtime Mansfield resident, once served as a legislative aide to the late state Sen. Chris Harris, R-Arlington.
He has served as Mansfield’s mayor since 2008, but his candidacy triggers his automatic resignation, the city announced. His term was to end in May 2022.
“However Mayor Cook also announced he would continue to serve his duties as mayor until such time as his successor is sworn in,” the post stated.
Zedler’s health
Zedler is known for many things, including saving a friend’s life.
He was on the phone in 2015 with fellow Republican Chip Pierce, who suddenly started slurring his words. Zedler thought he might be having a stroke so he rushed to his friend’s house. When no one answered, Zedler called 911.
Emergency responders broke down the door and found Pierce on the floor, unable to move the left side of his body. He was rushed to the hospital and appeared to make a full recovery.
Zedler said he’s struggled with various health issues in recent years and will soon have a surgery or two to address problems.
“My health has been an issue,” he said Tuesday. “I kept thinking I’d get over all this stuff.
“I told people when I hit 74, it was like falling off a cliff. It’s one thing after another, cascading.”
Looking ahead
Zedler said he has talked to friends, family and his political consultant about whether to continue with his re-election bid, despite how he has been feeling.
“I’ve enjoyed fighting for the little guys, the ones that don’t have a lot of power down there, and helping people who haven’t been able to find help anywhere else.
“On the other hand, I’ve missed two family vacations ... and it has been a financial difficulty for me and my family.”
Zedler said he’s optimistic about the 2020 election.
“I think we are going to have a wave ... like we did in 2010,” he said. “Trump is surging in battleground states and ... this is the best economy in my lifetime.
“I think that’s going to bring a lot of people out.”
This story was originally published December 10, 2019 at 3:58 PM.
