Free Republic

Following the leader? What leader? Thursday, September 25, 2003 The Democratic senators are back in the Capitol. But congressional redistricting isn't a done deal — this time because of the Republicans. They might have a tougher time agreeing on a map than they did getting the Democrats to return. Perry, who declined to call a special session after the Legislature couldn't agree on a map in 2001, could have escaped involvement had redistricting happened in the regular session last spring. But once House Democrats shut that down by heading to Oklahoma, Perry's job forced his involvement — if he considered...

Perry offers a lone piece for district map puzzle Gov. Rick Perry on Monday offered sparsely populated West Texas a new congressional district to help settle a fight between Republicans in that region, only to anger or confuse several Senate Republicans. The governor's partial map left the eastern half of the state blank and several Senate Republicans disturbed because they think the governor's solution to the West Texas squabble could steal a seat in Congress from the more populous regions of the state, including Central Texas. The governor's partial map underscores the problem of rearranging the state's 32 congressional districts:...

Map gets third thumbs up House passes plan weakening area representation Associated Press AUSTIN (AP) — The Texas House voted to accept a Republican-drawn congressional redistricting map Tuesday that weakens West Texas farm representation in Congress. For the third time this summer, the House approved the map sponsored by Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, that would likely give Texas Republicans an edge over Democrats in Congress. The vote was 77-60 with four present but not voting. Delwin Jones and Carl Isett, both Lubbock Republicans, voted against the plan. The map also gives House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, a congressional district separate...

GOP's new map stirs uprising in West Texas By SEBASTIAN KITCHEN AVALANCHE-JOURNAL Many West Texas entities appear to be leading a charge and a public information campaign against congressional redistricting plans before the Legislature. The Lubbock Chamber of Commerce believes the Republican-backed plan would hurt business and representation in West Texas and all of rural Texas. Plains Cotton Growers also is opposed to the plan based on the loss of representation in agriculture and loss of rural representation. State Rep. Delwin Jones, R-Lubbock, voted against the plan this week because his constituents, Republican and Democrat, were against it and believe...

Monday, October 14, 2002 Last modified at 11:44 p.m. on Sunday, October 13, 2002 © 2002 - The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal GMorales to make Lubbock stop to endorse Perry campaign Following last week's surprise endorsement of Gov. Rick Perry, former Democrat gubernatorial candidate Dan Morales will be in the Hub City today stumping for Perry. He will appear at La Fiesta Restaurant, 1519 34th St., at 12:35 p.m., according to a release from the Democrats for Perry organization. In his appearance, Morales will explain why he crossed party lines to support Perry, the release said. He also will be making campaign...

Heritage works against Sanchez in some regions Associated Press AUSTIN (AP) - Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tony Sanchez says being Hispanic is working against him in some regions, particularly in parts of North and West Texas. "It's just that north part, when you get past Dallas County to those northern counties, they are just very conservative, and I think my name 'Sanchez' will have some adverse effect. I don't think I'm accepted there," Sanchez was quoted as saying in Wednesday's Austin American-Statesman. "There are pockets of West Texas where I don't think I'm going to do well because of that," he...