Conservative Texas Rep. Hall Joins GOP

Newsday.com ^ | January 3, 2004 | Natalie Gott

[John Jorsett]

AUSTIN, Texas -- After nearly a quarter-century as one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress, Texas Rep. Ralph Hall switched parties to become a Republican and said he expects support from the White House.

"I've known (President Bush) since he was a young boy. He's a Godly man. He's a Texan and he was the governor and he's our friend," Hall told The Associated Press Friday. Bush praised Hall's decision, welcoming him to the Republican Party.

"Ralph is a close friend of the Bush family. He is a well-respected leader of the highest integrity, and a tireless advocate for the people of Texas," Bush said.

Hall, 80, made the move Friday, the final day for candidates to file to get their names on the ballot for Texas' March 9 primary.

[kennedy]

The Texas redistricting is working like a charm. We've picked up another Republican seat and it isn't even the election yet.

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[hershey]

Fox News said Hall would take over as chairman of the Science committee.

[Paleo Conservative]

He should retire. He's 80 years old.

[hadaclueonce]

I lived in Mr Hall's district for 15 years, I could not vote straight republican, cause I had to vote for Ralph.

[kennedy]

Here is another article from the Austin American Statesman:

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Rep. Ralph Hall of Rockwall switched parties Friday night, filing for re-election as a Republican after nearly a quarter-century as one of the most conservative Democrats in Congress.

"I've always said that if being a Democrat hurt my district I would switch or I would resign," Hall said in an interview. He said GOP leaders had recently refused to place money for his district in a spending bill and "the only reason I was given was I was a Democrat."

Hall, 80, entered politics in 1962 and was first elected to the House in 1980.

His switch marked the latest fallout from a Republican-led redrawing of Texas congressional districts. GOP strategists estimate they can gain up to seven seats in the state's 32-member delegation. Democrats hold 17 of the seats.

The U.S. Justice Department has said the new map does not run afoul of civil rights laws, and a three-judge panel is expected to rule soon on legal challenges filed by Democrats.

If the new boundaries are upheld, Hall's 4th District in North Texas would be slightly more Democratic, based on voting in statewide elections in 2002. The redrawn district, however, includes areas Hall doesn't currently represent and removes some that he does.

The House now has 228 Republican members, 205 Democrats, one independent and one vacancy.

In Crawford on Friday, President Bush said he welcomed Hall to the Republican Party.

"We have worked closely together on the important challenges facing our nation," Bush said. "I strongly support his re-election."

[kennedy]

He should retire. He's 80 years old.

Sen. Robert Byrd should retire. He's 86 and clearly senile. Ralph Hall can serve at least a couple more terms.

[e_engineer]

You lucky Texans, your conservative Democrats are more conservative than my "conservative" Republican congressman:

Ralph Hall (D)
4th Congressional District, Texas
Democrat, Years of Service: 22

ACU Ratings for Representative Hall:
Year 2002	88
Year 2001	96
Lifetime	83

Wayne Gilchrest (R)
1st Congressional District, Maryland
Republican, Years of Service: 12

ACU Ratings for Representative Gilchrest:
Year 2002	78
Year 2001	48
Lifetime	64

[skinkinthegrass]

Sen. Robert Byrd should retire. He's 86 and clearly senile.

Sen. Robert 'K.K.K. Sheets' Byrd is 86? After hearing that moron last summer, I thought He was much older. He really should retire.

[deport]

Hall, 80, made the move Friday, the final day for candidates to file to get their names on the ballot for Texas' March 9 primary.

---

Friday, Jan 2 was the last date to file except for US Representatives which has until Jan. 16. This is due to the court case about the new districts enacted this year by the Legislature.

Currently all candidates are filing under the old districts. I guess if the court upholds the new districts then they will have to refile for those.

Hall has five challengers in the Republican Primary so far.

http://www.texasgop.org/filing2004/fileOffice2.php?off=200

[deport]

The redrawn district, however, includes areas Hall doesn't currently represent and removes some that he does.

---

If the new districts are upheld then I read somewhere that Hall will have about 400,000 new constituents he's never represented before.... It may make a different race for him..

He has filed and has five Republican primary challengers. However all filings are for the old districts. They will change if the court upholds the redistricting plan.

[onyx]

The Texas redistricting is working like a charm. We've picked up another Republican seat and it isn't even the election yet.

LOL! How right you are. :)

[MeekOneGOP]

Gotta love it when a plan comes together !

[VRWC_minion]

The rats just got way more liberal. With the defections and retirements they are as a group ending up way left of center.

[GunRunner]

Now if we can just get Stenholm and Sandlin to do the same thing.

[John Jorsett]

The Texas redistricting is working like a charm. We've picked up another Republican seat and it isn't even the election yet.

If they'd start acting like Republicans and shrink government instead of expanding it, I'd be a lot happier. Just having an 'R' by more names isn't the objective, at least not for me.