Published: September 08, 2007 11:45 pm      

Hall faces three primary foes, Melancon running again

GREENVILLE — The official start of filing is still months away, but several candidates have already announced they are planning to run in the March 2008 Republican and Democratic party primaries for House of Representatives District 4.

The district covers the northeast corner of Texas, including all of Hunt and Rockwall counties and most of Collin County.

The surprise so far has been how longtime incumbent Rep. Ralph Hall of Rockwall, who has usually only faced mild opposition in the primaries since switching to the GOP from the Democratic Party several years ago, now has three opponents challenging him for the Republican Party nomination.

While Hall has not formally announced he is seeking re-election, he has maintained a campaign Web site since the 2006 election.

The candidates who have announced they are running against Hall include former three-term Frisco Mayor Kathy Seei; and two businessmen from Celina, Gene Christensen and Kevin George.

George is scheduled to appear at the monthly meeting of the Hunt County GOP Club at 7 p.m. Monday at the Crossroads Assembly Family Life Center, 1501 Joe Ramsey Boulevard in Greenville.

Only one candidate has declared he is in the running for the Democratic Party nomination for House District 4, and he carries a familiar name. Glenn Melancon of Sherman lost to Hall in the November 2006 general election.

The first official day to file as a candidate for the March 4, 2008 primary elections is Dec. 3, 2007, and the last day to file is Jan. 2, 2008.