Rep. Kent GrusendorfRep. Kent Grusendorf, 65, was first elected to the Texas House in 1987 and quickly established himself as the Republican Party’s leading expert and spokesman on all issues related to education. He was the primary leader in the push for charter schools and point man in many in failed efforts to create a state voucher program. As Education Committee chairman under Speaker Tom Craddick (R-Midland) he has been the point man on education funding reform and related efforts in every one of the recent special sessions. Tomorrow he will draw a powerful primary opponent in an election many Tarrant County political observers believe will be a toss-up.

Diane PatrickTomorrow Diane Patrick, 59, a former elected member of the State Board of Education and one-time President of the Arlington ISD School Board will announce a challenge The GOP’s “Mr. Education.” When it comes to professional education credentials Patrick has more than 10-years of classroom teaching experience, a PhD in Educational Administration from the University of North Texas and is currently a an associate professor in the department of educational leadership and policy studies within the College of Education at UTA.

All agree that Grusendorf is in some trouble. Grusendorf faces some disenchantment from the failure of the legislature to enact education reforms and adopt a new funding mechanism for Texas. His long tenure in office and occasionally heavy-handed manner has resulted in a growing list of foes. But the Patrick candidacy is largely seen as springing from efforts by the Texas Association of School Administrators and Texas Association of School Boards to build a legislative delegation more favorable to substantial new funding for public education and less supportive of vouchers. One heavy Republican contributor likely to support Grusendorf notes that she is the perfect “Soccer Mom” candidate in a city with a lot of soccer moms.

Several candidates have announced, or appear ready to announce, challenges to incumbent Republican lawmakers. In some cases these pit Democrats against Republicans in marginal districts but in other cases Republicans are challenging Republicans. Many political leaders of the education lobby feel that suburban conservative Republicans are out of touch with their districts and are vulnerable to challenge. A Patrick versus Grusendorf contest in Arlington will certainly determine the truth of that belief. Patrick is expected to have no trouble raising funds, but neither should Grusendorf.

Given Grusendorf’s high profile, powerful chairmanship and seat at the Speaker’s right hand a loss to Patrick in the Republican primary would have a dramatic impact on next spring’s likely special session to address school funding. While Patrick would not hold office at the time, a lame duck Grusendorf would be unable to hold his chairmanship under House rules. And a Grusendorf defeat would certainly send a message to his remaining colleagues.

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