Barring an improbable third-party upset, an Asian-American will be the next state representative for parts of Richardson and Garland, areas known for a large Asian population.

The question is, will voters choose Republican Angie Chen Button or Democrat Sandra Phuong VuLe?

They, along with Libertarian Philip M. White, are seeking to replace retiring Republican Fred Hill in District 112, an area that encompasses southern Richardson and northwestern Garland.

Early voting for the Nov. 4 election begins Oct. 20.

Ms. Button, 54, survived a bruising Republican primary and runoff, defeating Randy Dunning with 53 percent of the vote. She says her strength is her global vision and her work with regional boards, commissions and chambers of commerce.

Ms. VuLe, 39, who ran unopposed in the primary, knows she faces a challenge in the largely Republican district. She said she encourages voters to look at the candidates' ideas, such as her views on education.

Both say education finance is a priority, but they differ in their focus. Ms. Button, a marketing executive for Texas Instruments, believes higher education should take precedence over elementary and secondary education if additional funding is available. Ms. VuLe, a lawyer, would spend additional state money on K-12 education first.

When it comes to taxes, Ms. Button says she firmly opposes changes to those on the books, whether it be the new business tax for education, gas taxes for new road construction or local sales taxes for transit projects.

"This isn't the right time to make new taxes," Ms. Button said. "I'm open to looking at all kinds of solutions."

Ms. VuLe, on the other hand, would let school districts increase property taxes far beyond the current cap, but would also significantly increase the mandatory homestead exemption.

She would like to increase the exemption for the business tax and would tax profits instead of revenues.

"This is an idea on the table," Ms. VuLe said of the tax restructuring. "We just can't sit still and say we don't know what to do."

Ms. VuLe also supports raising sales taxes beyond the current statewide cap to allow for expansion of transit systems. The proposal has failed in several legislative sessions, but Ms. VuLe said the North Texas delegation must try again to solve the transit issue.

Ms. Button, a former Dallas Area Rapid Transit board member, said she wouldn't endorse a transit funding plan until regional leaders reach a consensus.

Ms. Button has dwarfed Ms. VuLe in campaign spending, pouring more than a half-million dollars into her primary race. Nearly $400,000 of that was money she and her husband loaned her campaign. She had about $64,000 in available cash as of June 30, the most recent date records were available.

Ms. VuLe has spent roughly $14,000 and had $79,000 on hand on June 30. The next finance reporting deadline is Monday.

The Libertarian in the race, Mr. White, is not campaigning.

The University of Texas at Dallas graduate student said he regretted his decision not to participate in a recent candidate forum. But, he added, he does not expect to have much of a chance in November.

"My goal is simply to be on the ballot and give people a choice," he said.

REPUBLICAN

Angie Chen Button

Hometown: Garland

Age: 54

Career: Finance and executive positions at Texas Instruments since 1980; Dallas Area Rapid Transit board, 2002-08

Web site: angiebutton.com

DEMOCRAT

Sandra Phuong VuLe

Occupation: Family law attorney

Hometown: Garland

Age: 39

Career: Lawyer, 1996-present; insurance claims adjustor, 1991-93

Web site: sandravule.com

LIBERTARIAN

Philip M. White

Occupation: Graduate student

Hometown: Richardson

Age: 22

Career: Student, research assistant and various internships

Web site: www.qnan.org/~pmw/