STAFF REPORTS

When embattled Pedernales Electric Cooperative today officially announces candidates for its board of directors, at least 50 contenders are expected to compete to fill three voting and two advisory spots on the utility’s governing body.

Among those, more than 20 people are seeking for the District 7 seat held by former board president W.W. “Bud” Burnett, a former Hays County judge. Among those in the running, San Marcos auto dealership owner Chuck Nash is considered as a possible frontrunner in a free-for-all election among PEC’s more than 200,000 members spread across more than 8,000 square miles.

The roster of local candidates include Wimberley resident Patrick Cox, a former assistant state land commissioner; Kyle architectural historian Lila Knight; Driftwood resident Rob Baxter, who ran for Hays County commissioner in 2006; and Buda Area Chamber of Commerce board president Dick Schneider. One candidate even has experience in the electricity industry, former Siemens Corp. executive John Dunn, a Wimberley resident.

After the slate is finalized at a board meeting this evening, cooperative members can cast ballots by mail or at the annual members’ meeting in July.