Political Happenings

The Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce Governmental Affairs Committee will host a luncheon for U.S. Sen. John Cornyn at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday at the Willow Brook Country Club.

The cost is $20 per person. For more information or to RSVP, call 903-592-1661.

The Republican Women of Wood County will meet at 11:30 a.m. Thursday to host a candidate forum at the Dinner Bell Ranch Restaurant in Quitman. Candidates for county sheriff, county commissioner and constable have confirmed they will be on hand.

For more information, call 903-769-0962.

Smith County Sheriff J.B. Smith has been endorsed by the Greater Tyler Association of Realtors in his bid for re-election. Smith faces challenger Andy Dunklin in the Republican primary for the office.

The Great Decisions discussion series continues at noon on Wednesdays at the Tyler Public Library. Each of the weekly meetings will address a current foreign policy topic, with one or more experts on the subject leading the discussions.

The series is part of a national effort launched in 1954 by the Foreign Policy Association. In Tyler, the event is sponsored by the American Association of University Women - Tyler Branch, the League of Women Voters of Tyler/Smith County and the Tyler Public Library.

Dr. Robert Sterken, associate professor of political science at The University of Texas at Tyler, serves as chair of the Great Decisions steering committee.

For more information, call 903-565-6655.

Upcoming discussions include:

The League of Women Voters of Tyler/Smith County has scheduled a candidate forum for 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Monday at the Tyler Public Library. Candidates for Smith County sheriff and county commissioner, as well as state district judge, are invited.

The March 4 primary elections are approaching. Offices up for election include county commissioner Precincts 1 and 3, tax assessor/collector, sheriff, all constables, some state district judges, all state representatives and all U.S. House of Representative seats.

Important dates:

Feb. 19-29: Early voting.

March 4: Election Day.