Watson could be re-elected easily, and still lose

KXAN.COM

johnmoritz

Updated: Nov 6, 2012 7:45 AM

Kirk Watson (Courtesy: Facebook)

If there are any certainties in politics, one would be that Kirk Watson will cruise to re-election in state Senate District 14.

But the Austin Democrat with no Republican opponent could still have a bad night on Tuesday.

Watson, a former Austin mayor and one-time candidate for Texas attorney general, has a pile of his political capital on the line this cycle. He’s been the driving force to pass Proposition 1 on the Travis County Central Health District ballot.

So much so that much of the campaign material aimed at passing the tax increase to pay for the health care services the measure promises and plant the seeds for a medical school at the University of Texas is paid for from Watson’s re-election fund.

But opponents of the plan, though less well-known in the community that the veteran campaigner that Watson is, are attracting attention with local TV ads and a heavy yard-sign presence.

And St. David’s hospital give the opponents a boost when it came out against Prop 1.

If the measure wins on Tuesday, Watson will keep his place as one of Austin’s most effective political figures. If it loses, that reputation could take on a little tarnish.

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