Mary Beth Harrell Files For CD 31 Today

Mary Beth Harrell filed this morning. Go check out her posts at DailyKos and TexasTuesdays, Mary Beth would love comments on both posts. Here is the press release for her filing:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, December 19, 2005
CONTACT: Mary Beth Harrell, 254-616-0058 info@marybethharrellforcongress.com

KILLEEN ATTORNEY MARY BETH HARRELL FILES FOR CONGRESS
Soldiers’ Mom challenges Republican John Carter in Texas’ 31st Congressional District

(AUSTIN, TX) Killeen Attorney Mary Beth Harrell filed papers with the Texas Democratic Party today to place her name on the ballot of the March 7, 2006 Democratic Primary for the office of United States Representative from the 31st Congressional District of Texas. The office is held by Republican John Carter. Besides Harrell, no other potential Democratic candidates have declared that they will be seeking this office.

Harrell, a Killeen attorney in the private practice of law, also serves as City Prosecutor for the town of Nolanville in Bell County. She is married to Bob Harrell, a retired Army Warrant Officer who worked his way up through the enlisted ranks and retired as a CW3. Bob Harrell, a self-described “Reagan Republican,” proudly supports his wife for Congress.

“I’m running for Congress because I love my country and I love my kids.” Harrell says, “And I know in my heart that as a nation we are headed in the wrong direction.”

Harrell is running on “Integrity, Accountability and Faith in the Future.” Harrell criticizes her opponent for voting repeatedly to weaken House ethics rules. “I am disappointed that John Carter, a former Judge, would vote to weaken ethics rules and to allow Tom DeLay to remain as Majority Leader even while under indictment,” Harrell said. “He accepted $20,000 in donations from DeLay’s ARMPAC, donated $5,000 to DeLay’s defense fund and voted with DeLay 97% of the time during his first 15 months in office.”

With a veteran husband and two sons in the Army, Harrell pledges to look out for soldiers’ and veterans’ interests in Congress. “Those who serve have greater needs today than ever, yet some wounded have been having to pay for their own meals while hospitalized. The Republicans’ failure to increase spending on our veterans represents an unbelievable failure of leadership. It’s time for a change in that leadership.”

Mary Beth and Bob Harrell have been part of the Fort Hood community since 1987 with the exceptions of Bob’s three-year deployment to Germany and their three-year move to San Antonio after Bob’s retirement so that Mary Beth could study law at St. Mary’s University. Harrell has practiced law in Bell, Coryell and Lampasas counties since 1999. The Harrell’s have recently purchased a ranch in Gatesville, Coryell County, where Bob intends to raise sheep.

Mary Beth and Bob Harrell have a daughter, Tonya Rosas of Austin, and two sons, Joshua and Rob Harrell. Both sons are on active duty in the Army. Sgt. Joshua Harrell serves at Fort Huachuca, Arizona and Staff Sgt. Rob Harrell is now serving in Iraq with the 4th Infantry Division. The Harrell’s have three granddaughters.