Uggh, it's January 2, the filing deadline for political candidates to declare their intentions. I'm still nursing a champagne hangover from New Years (bubbles go straight to my head). I figured I'd give a few updates to some folks that filed.

David Harris is gearing up to take on Joe Barton in CD-6. Joe Barton sucks in most ways imaginable, so I wish Harris the best.

Ted Ankrum is filing for CD-10, the district that goes from Austin to Houston. A choice excerpt from his press release..."I've witnessed first-hand what good government can accomplish. It can give an enlisted man's son the opportunity to go to college. It can rise above partisan politics to expose corruption. It can balance a budget. It can inspire a generation to go to the moon. This is the greatest generation we have. We can end the war in Iraq, restore civil liberties to our own citizens, and make ourselves safer in the process." He's joining Pat Mynatt and Kyle Kincaid in that primary.

Longview Democrat Patrick Franklin is filing today against Tommy Merrit for HD-7. He'll be the first openly gay candidate to run for anything in East Texas. He's got a blog up that should be fun to keep an eye on throughout the campaign. Go here.

Mark McDavid of Houston today announced his candidacy in HD-138 against one of Delay's cronies, Dwayne Bohac. Bohac has got such a tight leash around his neck from the Craddick machine that I would love to see this district slip out of his hands. He got beat twice by Ken Yarborough before redistricting in '01 delivered the district to him. I don't know if this seat is ready to swing Democratic yet, but keep an eye on the growing Hispanic and Asian populations as white people move farther out into Katy and the other suburbs.

Finally Carlos Uresti is officially in the running for the Senate. I for one hope he whoops Madla's ass.

As always, Kuff has great coverage on the filings. That's it for now, but I suspect there will be more news throughout the day. We'll keep an eye on it, as well as to see if James Leiniger has any more buddies running for state rep that are flying under the radar.