Two Republicans have filed for the March 4 Primary Election in the race for the District 10 seat, and a third candidate is expected to file before the deadline.
The District 10 seat represents part of Henderson County and Ellis County. The incumbent, 10-term State Rep. Jim Pitts, chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations, is not running for re-election.
Jake Ellzey, a 20-year Navy veteran who lives in Midlothian, and John Wray, a lawyer in Waxahachie, will be competing for the seat that represents the west side of Cedar Creek Lake.
TJ Fabby, a businessman from Waxahachie who ran in the last four-way race for the District 10 seat, has announced his plan to file by the deadline.
As of Dec. 5 no Democrats or Libertarians had filed for either seat, according to the state parties' websites.
Ellzey is touting his military service defending the "Constitution from foreign enemies" in his bid for the District 10 seat.
Ellzey promised to improve border security, protect private property interests, take care of Texas veterans and push back against "Obama overreach." He was born in Amarillo and grew up in Perryton and attended the Naval Academy, graduating in 1992. He moved to Midlothian after retiring from the military.
Ellzey's military commendations include two Bronze Stars, two Meritorious Service Medals, Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Navy Commendation Medals, seven Air Medals.
Wray is the mayor of Waxahachie, and he has served on the City Council since 2007. He graduated from Texas A&M University and the University of Texas' School of Law.
He is a seventh-generation native of Ellis County. He practiced law in Houston before returning to Waxahachie to practice law locally and statewide. He is the co-owner of Town Square Title, and he has served as the director of several civic organizations.
Wray, a pro-life advocate, is promising to promote conservative family values, create jobs, improve public education, stop illegal immigration, protect private property rights for landowners and keep taxes low, according to his campaign materials.
Fabby operates Liberty Tree Service, and he attended Red Oak High School and Texas A&M University Commerce, according to his Facebook page. He describes himself as a "true conservative and Tea Party Republican."
In the race for the District 4 seat that represents Kaufman County and part of Henderson County and the rest of the Cedar Creek Lake area, incumbent Lance Gooden is running for a third term. Dr. Stuart Spitzer, who ran against Gooden during the last election and failed to unseat him, will again vy for the seat.
A Libertarian candidate, Frederick Stralow of Gun Barrel City, filed to run for the District 4 seat. Stralow's Facebook page identifies him as a former construction company supervisor and as the creator of the Texas Revolution organization.
The deadline filing date for the Primary Election is Dec. 9.
The 2014 Republican Primary election is Tuesday, March 4.
Ellzey,Wray and Fabby are pictured below.