Posted on 10/25/2003 9:25:13 AM PDT by Theodore R.
Bivins' possible ambassador nomination sparks talk of replacements
BY JIM McBRIDE MORRIS NEWS SERVICE
AMARILLO — Talk of state Sen. Teel Bivins' possible nomination as ambassador to Sweden has stirred up the political pot in the Panhandle.
A few names, including former Amarillo Mayor Kel Seliger, are being discussed as potential candidates to succeed Bivins if he is nominated and accepts the ambassadorship.
The Bush administration is expected to nominate Bivins, R-Amarillo, as ambassador to Sweden, the Houston Chron icle's Washington bureau reported in a copyrighted story Thursday.
Seliger said any talk of a Senate race is purely speculative at this time, but said he would consider running for the seat.
Jane Juett, an Amarillo Republican, said Seliger would make a good candidate for the post. She said former U.S. Sen. Phil Gramm, R-Texas, was impressed with the former longtime Amarillo mayor.
"Kel, I think, is so articulate," Juett said. "He is so well-liked and well-respected."
But Juett noted others are likely to announce their bids if a Bivins nomination moves forward.
Jane Anne Stinnett, a prominent Lubbock Repub lican, said Odessa businessman Bob Barnes and Midland businessman Jose Cuevas have been talked about as potential hopefuls.
Stinnett said the potential race could be an interesting one — pitting the Midland-Odessa area against Amarillo.
Barnes said Friday he would hate to see Bivins leave his state Senate leadership post, but would consider running if the spot opens up.
"If he were to resign and move onto bigger things, then I think I would have an interest," he said. "I certainly have an interest in serving Texas."
Barnes, who is involved in the restaurant and real estate development business, said his term as chairman of the Motor Vehicle Commission is up and he is interested in continuing to serve the state. He formerly owned Taco Villa restaurants in Amarillo.
Cuevas, owner of the JumBurritto restaurant chain in Midland and Odessa, said it's too early to speculate on a possible race.
"That's kind of them to mention my name in that realm, but I think right now we really probably just need to make sure we support Teel Bivins," he said.
Bivins is one of President Bush's top fund-raisers, according to a recent report in USA Today.
Bivins has raised at least $200,000 for Bush's re-election, according to the newspaper report.
At least 20 of 212 top Bush fund-raisers from the 2000 campaign have been nominated for ambassadorships to nations that include France, Spain, Ireland, Singapore, Belize and Portugal, the Chronicle reported.
Bush is expected to announce the nomination soon, according to several sources cited by the Chronicle.
According to the Texas Election Code, an unexpired term in a state House or Senate office may be filled only by a special election.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.