Texas Democrats Oust Members Who Supported GOP

Laredo, TX, Morning Times ^ | 03-11-04 | Vertuno, Jim, AP

[Theodore R.]

Demos oust members who supported GOP

BY JIM VERTUNO Associated Press Writer

AUSTIN - The Texas primary election took its toll on state House Democrats who had aligned with the Republican leadership during the bitter partisan fights last year.

Seven House Democrats, including longtime maverick lawmaker Rep. Ron Wilson of Houston, were defeated or headed for runoffs. Five had supported GOP-backed legislation and Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick.

"I'm tickled pink," said Texas Democratic Party Chairman Charles Soechting. "I don't describe it as a purge. I describe it as a realignment of priorities."

Wilson was the biggest name to fall.

He was targeted by party leaders after supporting the Republican redistricting effort that produced two Democratic walkouts, three special sessions and lawsuits in the GOP's charge to bolster the party in Congress.

After 27 years in the House, Wilson will be replaced by state Board of Education member Alma Allen, who won 56 percent of the vote in District 131. Only 938 votes separated the two candidates.

Allen said redistricting was the central issue for many of her supporters. Her campaign received support from Democrats from as far away as New York and Virginia.

"Democrats everywhere were enraged," Allen said. "It did not sit well with constituents here."

Wilson did not return a telephone message left at his office. Before the primary, he told the Houston Chronicle that party efforts to defeat him were racist. Wilson and Allen are black.

Soechting denied the charge.

"People are sick and tired of that kind of rhetoric with no basis in fact," Soechting said. "I hear him say something like that and wonder if he's drinking bad water."

Another Craddick-aligned Democrat incumbent to lose was Glenn Lewis of Fort Worth, who was defeated by Marc Veasey, a former aid to U.S. Rep. Martin Frost. Frost, a Democrat, was forced to run in a new congressional district this year.

Lewis was among the first Democrats to throw his support behind Craddick after the 2002 elections that gave the GOP control of the Texas House for the first time since Reconstruction.

Craddick called the primary "bittersweet."

"I was elated that every House Republican incumbent survived, but saddened by the losses of several key Democrats, especially Ron Wilson and Glenn Lewis," Craddick said.

"Both are fine legislators, honorable men and good friends. Both are bridge-builders who worked effectively with Republicans, before and after my party gained a House majority," he said. "Bipartisanship is a goal and a Texas tradition, but it requires participation from both sides."

Other Democrats to lose: Jaime Capelo of Corpus Christi, who did not make the runoff between attorney Abel Herrero and businesswoman Nelda Martinez; Timoteo "Timo" Garza, of Eagle Pass, who was defeated by former state Rep. Tracy King; and Miguel Wise of Weslaco, who was defeated by Armando Martinez.

Two other Democrats found themselves in runoffs April 13. Rep. Gabi Canales, D-Alice, will face Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles and Rep. Roberto Gutierrez of McAllen will face Veronica Gonzales.

Capelo, Garza and Gutierrez all supported a Republican-led bill to cap lawsuit liability awards for pain and suffering. The bill was a flashpoint of partisan battles between Democrats and Republicans in 2003.

03/11/04

[Fiddlstix]

BTTT

[trebb]

"I'm tickled pink," said Texas Democratic Party Chairman Charles Soechting.

Gay activism?

[cripplecreek]

Do i hear an echo in the "big tent"?

[lavrenti]

Republicans need to heed these lessons...like at the next state nominating convention in Utah...right, Orin?

[The_Victor]

Republicans need to heed these lessons...

I'm not sure what lesson you mean, but here in Texas the democRATs are marching toward complete obscurity. They have just ousted nearly every reasonable party member they had. I would guess the democRATs are look at 40% (or less) representation in Texas after this election.

[jf55510]

I read this quote yesterday somewhere and it fits perfectly, "When a Republican joins with the democrats it is bipartisanship, but when a democrat joins with the republicans it is treason." I must say, that the State House will be less fun without Ron Wilson around, he was quite a character and a good guy as well.

[airborne]

THEY EAT THEIR OWN!!!

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Allen said redistricting was the central issue for many of her supporters. Her campaign received support from Democrats from as far away as New York and Virginia.

I would note that this "redistricting issue" did not stop Al Green (a black who opposed redistricting) from running against and beating the most liberal white dim in Texas, Chris Bell, in a redrawn Houston district.

[Dog Gone]

I believe Ron Wilson was also head of the House Ways and Means Committee, a powerful job. You can be certain that no Democrat will be awarded that position next year.

The Texas Rat Party continues to marginalize itself.

[Preachin']

"I'm tickled pink,"

Shoulda been:

"I'm a tickled pinko,"

[jf55510]

I believe Ron Wilson was also head of the House Ways and Means Committee, a powerful job. You can be certain that no Democrat will be awarded that position next year.

Yeah he was and he was fair and did not take sides. I am suprised that Dems didn't go after Vilma Luna as well. She is Vice-Chair of Appropiations Committee and did flee Austin like the other Chickenshits and she is a Craddick supporter. I will be pretty pissed if Craddick keeps giving committee chairmanships to Dems that keep betraying him by leaving the state and the such.

[ken5050]

Since many of those state districts are, I assume, safely Democrat..could the Texas GOP offer the nominations to the ousted Dems losers....pol, especially Dems, love power...it might make things interesting...

[Porterville]

I guess the fence sitters will have to go farther right- it is a gift.

[Terry Mross]

Chris Bell losing is so funny. This guy ran as a "conservative" for mayor a few years ago for the purpose of taking votes away from Orlando Sanchez. This gave the election to Lee Period Pee Period Brown. Then Bell turned around and was rewarded with win in the congressional election. Two years later he learned that the dems are not loyal for very long and they kicked him out. Now he's complaining that all the blacks voted for a black. Buh-bye, Chrissy.

[Bigun]

"The Texas Rat Party continues to marginalize itself."

B I N G O ! ! ! Couldn't have said it any better.

[Zeppo]

"I'm tickled pink," said Texas Democratic Party Chairman Charles Soechting. "I don't describe it as a purge. I describe it as a realignment of priorities."

An unbiased observer, however, would indeed describe it as a "purge". That's the Commie way, isn't it?

[lavrenti]

Hmm. I know all about how the Texas Democrats are reforming into a single-minded cadre, which has its strengths.

In states where the GOP dominates, such as Utah, these tactics should be used to purge recalcitrant and ineffective GOP senators, such as Orrin Hatch.

[N3WBI3]

I would not blanket give dems a republican nomination (we have enough RINO's as it is) but the more moderate ones I think would work fine and you should write your idea to hte Texas GOP (or the GOP in their districts)..

[The_Victor]

In states where the GOP dominates, such as Utah, these tactics should be used to purge recalcitrant and ineffective GOP senators, such as Orrin Hatch.

In heavily GOP states, like Utah, your probably right. A heavy handed party line would knock wavering moderates into place. But, something in me deosn't like those kinds of hardball tactics. Even as Republicans, we are not monolithic. Perhaps our representation shouldn't be either.

Gads!, am I wringing my hands?!!!! Sorry! :)