U.S. Rep. Ron Paul has endorsed Wes Riddle in the 25th Congressional District runoff.
Riddle squares off against Roger Williams, a well-known Weatherford auto dealer with deep local roots who recently moved to Austin, in the July 31 Republican runoff election.
"Wes is a committed patriot who graduated from West Point, served his country abroad as an army officer, and if he is elected to Congress, I am confident that he will fight every day to restore the Constitution and return to limited government," said Paul, who is seeking the GOP presidential nomination for president this year, in a written statement. "Liberty voters have a strong choice in this CD-25 Republican runoff. I hope my generous supporters will help Wes win this runoff because we need more men like him.”
In the May 29 GOP primary election, Williams was the front-runner, with 25 percent of the vote. Riddle, a retired Army officer and Tea Party activist in Gatesville, edged other competitors to take the No. 2 slot, with 14.56 percent.
The 25th Congressional District, which was dramatically revamped in the latest redistricting process, now stretches from the edges of Tarrant County into Austin.
Generally, endorsements don't have a big impact on voter turnout or decisions, said Jim Riddlesperger, a political science professor at Texas Christian University.
"A Ron Paul endorsement could be different ... and might mobilize a few voters," Riddlesperger said. "But it's not like Roger Williams doesn't have name recognition. Roger has a better name recognition among Republican voters in general. ... He doesn't have to bow to anyone in that regard.
"It's going to be an interesting race."
-- Anna M. Tinsley
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