December 20, 2013 10:23 AM

AUSTIN OUTSIDER HOPES TO POP THE AUSTIN BUBBLE IN RACE FOR WILLIAMS' SENATE SEAT

Business Leader and Woodlands Councilman Gordy Bunch is a dark horse in the contest against Toth and Creighton

The chatter around the Capitol so far about the race for the Texas Senate seat formerly held by Sen. Tommy Williams, R-The Woodlands, has primarily focused on the two House members in the contest: Rep. Steve Toth, R-The Woodlands and Rep. Brandon Creighton, R-Conroe. But, a lesser-known candidate by the name of Gordy Bunch, a successful businessman and a member of the equivalent of the city council in The Woodlands, said he’s working hard to get his supporters out and “get ‘er done” in the May 10 special election.

Bunch, who was first elected to the Woodlands Township Board of Directors two years ago, said he’s been able to use his business experience to help create one of the best-run governments in the state. Indeed, The Woodlands has seen taxes decrease and debt has been paid down while services have been expanded. He said achieving those goals is a collaborative process. "It comes out of doing the right thing and coming to a consensus,” he said. An insurance broker, one of the first problems he tackled on the board of directors was a lack of an insurance policy on parks and recreation facilities, something that’s essential in a community that can be in the firing line of a hurricane.

By Scott Braddock