Posted on 12/05/2004 11:10:27 PM PST by weegee
(12/05/04 - AUSTIN) — A state lawmaker says an election challenge against Sen. Mario Gallegos by his former opponent and ex-mistress should be dismissed.
Susan Delgado had contended that the Houston Democrat lived in the 11th District, even though he represents the 6th District.
Senator Jeff Wentworth, who was appointed as a special master in the case by Lieutenant Gov. David Dewhurst, said he based his recommendation on qualifications for a state senator described in the Texas Constitution, not on residency requirements outlined in the election code.
Wentworth, a Republican from San Antonio, said the petition does not state the grounds necessary to maintain the contest and recommend to the Senate Committee on State Affairs.
Delgado, who is a former stripper, claimed she had a 17-year affair with Gallegos. Earlier this year, she also sued Gallegos for $1.5 million, claiming he caused her emotional and physical pain. She filed her election challenge claiming Gallegos takes a homestead tax exemption on a house outside of his district. Gallegos is registered to vote at his mother's house within the 6th District.
Senators are required to be residents of their districts for a year preceding the election.
A spokeswoman for the chairman of the State Affairs Committee said a meeting is tentatively scheduled to review Wentworth's report on Dec. 15.
This is Texas where politicians never learn that wives and mistresses seldom quietly fade away. Rep. Charlie Gonzalez's (Dem) ex-wife, Becky Whetstone, ran against him in the 2004 General Election as an Independent. Former San Antonio Mayor and HUD Secretary Henry Cisneros was indicted and tried for lying to the FBI about paying money to his former mistress, Linda Medlar. Most recently, a San Antonio City Councilman, a retired police officer, found himself looking at assault charges filed by a girlfriend, a local on air news reporter. Nature of the assualt? She claimed he hit her with an apple.
We do love our politicians . . .
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