In the wake of a court ruling keeping state Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, on the ballot, lawyers for his Democratic opponent and the state party are deciding whether to appeal to the Texas Supreme Court. But time is short: Under state election law, Friday, August 20, is the last day a candidate who is removed from the ballot can be replaced.

The action in the state's SD-22 is all in a Dallas court now, with Democrats suing to knock Sen. Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury, off the ballot, and Birdwell responding (in court filings) that the challenge itself is flawed and that he's eligible anyhow.

John Cullar, the Democrat nominated yesterday to challenge Sen. Brian Birdwell in the November elections, went to court this morning to question whether Birdwell meets the residency requirements to serve in the state Senate.

Democratic officials in SD-22 got together in a Hillsboro restaurant Thursday evening and nominated John Cullar to run for the Senate seat now held by Brian Birdwell, R-Granbury.