Viva Becky! Viva la Revolucion!
Posted on 10/20/2004 8:04:10 AM PDT by SwinneySwitch
Doggett, Klein focusing on minimum wage, environment.
The race for the District 25 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives pits a five-term veteran congressman against a relative newcomer in a newly drawn district.
U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, 57, was one of the targets of a Republican-led redistricting plan meant to obliterate several key Democrats in Congress. Instead, before the ink was dry, he declared his intention to run for the newly redrawn congressional district and charged south picking up endorsements from key Rio Grande Valley politicians and the United Farm Workers.
The district now covers Caldwell, Duval, Gonzales, Jim Hogg, Karnes, Live Oak and Starr counties along with portions of Hidalgo and Travis counties. Republican candidate Rebecca Armendariz Klein, the former chairwoman of the Texas Public Utility Commission, which oversees the state's $35 billion utility industry, said she understands that District 25 presents some challenges. She said she is qualified to target those issues and connect with the district's 65 percent majority of Democrats, as well as her Republican base.
Doggett said he has focused on connecting with voters one on one in the new 350-mile long strip of a district. He has highlighted issues such as raising the minimum wage, economic development, access to education and protecting the environment, which are common issues across the district, he said.
"Now I have as many constituents on the Rio Grande as the Colorado with rivers in between," he said. "When I look at the district, I realize that the furthest point in the Valley is Pharr. And it is 'Pharr' away from Austin."
Klein agrees the district's representative will have to address issues common to rural and urban populations, including quality jobs, education and health care.
"Overall in Texas, it's education and finding the funding for education and public schools," she said. "For the nation, it's fighting the war against terrorism and keeping our homeland safe."
Klein says her poll numbers indicate she can win by as much as 57 percent.
Political consultants say though both candidates have spent a great deal of time campaigning, Doggett has the edge.
"The numbers are such that there is likely not to be any other outcome," said Lee Woods, a Houston-based consultant who represents only Republican candidates. "Doggett is going to come out on top."
Candidates are competing for a two-year term. The position pays $158,100 annually.
Contact Jaime Powell at 886-3716 or powellj@caller.com
Viva Becky! Viva la Revolucion!
Education: Bachelor of science in biology from Stanford, master’s in national security studies from Georgetown University and law doctorate from St. Mary’s University
Political Experience: Worked in White House from 1989-1992; congressional experience, worked on three campaigns in Washington, former chairwoman of Texas Public Utilities Commission.
Texas Becky Ping!
For those who think their efforts on behalf of the President would be wasted in Texas, you might consider working a little for Becky. Yes, she's running in a very Democratic district and Doggett will likely win, but wouldn't it be great to be even a small part of defeating him!
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