HD-84: Griffin Holds Early Lead

The contest to challenge Democrat Carol Morgan in November for the soon-to-be-vacant seat of HD-84 Republican Carl Isett seems headed in Mark Griffin's favor. Griffin has the lead after early voting over opponents John Frullo and Ysidro Gutierrez. Early totals have Griffin with more than 4,000 votes to Frullo’s 3,224. Gutierrez is a distant third with 634 votes.

The Lubbock County district will greet a new face after 16 years of service from Isett, a U.S. Navy reservist who announced late last year he was stepping down in order to concentrate on his military career and spend more time with his family.

The race didn’t haul in as much campaign cash as others, perhaps due to Isett’s decision to opt out just a few months before the election. Finance reports reflect that from Jan. 1 2009 to Feb. 20, 2010 Frullo raised about $75,000 and spent more than $63,600; Gutierrez raised about $8,000 and spent the same amount, while Griffin raised about $97,000 and spent more than $95,000.