Straus captures District 121(Texas House)

San Antonio Express-News ^ | 02/06/2005 | Rebeca Rodriguez

[SwinneySwitch]

Republican businessman Joe Straus III handily won the Texas House District 121 race Saturday over his closest challenger, Democrat Rose Spector.

"It was a very strong signal that the voters in District 121 want consistent and conservative leadership," he said from his victory party at the Barn Door restaurant.

Spector, a former Texas Supreme Court justice, said she had hoped to appeal to a broad swath of voters, but was unable to break through party politics in the conservative district.

"He's a Republican, and that's a regret I have, that people just vote by label," she said. "I hate to see that kind of division when obviously we have to work together."

Independent candidate Paul Silber trailed at a distant third, and a fourth candidate on the ballot, Glen S. Starnes, garnered a few dozen votes despite his withdrawal from the race last week.

The district is one of two Republican-held state House seats in Bexar County, which has a House delegation of 10. Whoever takes office will have to catch up in a legislative session that is several weeks old.

Straus said that when he reaches Austin, he and "every other legislator" will be consumed with reforming public school finance and reducing property taxes.

Saturday's special election was held to fill a vacancy left by state Rep. Elizabeth Ames Jones, who recently was tapped by Gov. Rick Perry for an impending opening on the three-member Texas Railroad Commission.

The race was a brief three weeks, forcing candidates to make their names and issues known quickly.

During the campaign, Straus had the advantage of strong family and social connections in the district, which has voted heavily Republican in the six general elections leading up to 2002.

The district's elected Republican leadership came out in force in support of Straus, including U.S. Rep. Lamar Smith, state Sen. Jeff Wentworth and County Commissioner Lyle Larson. Jones and Perry endorsed Straus as well.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------- rrodriguez@express-news.net

[SwinneySwitch]

State Representative, District 121 Results

Paul Silber (IND) 401 - 2.76%
Rose Spector (DEM) 4,707 - 32.34%
Glen S. Starnes (REP) 192 - 1.32%
Joe Straus (REP) 9,255 - 63.59%

[aynrandfreak]

"He's a Republican, and that's a regret I have, that people just vote by label," she said. "I hate to see that kind of division when obviously we have to work together."

You're breaking my heart lady. Let's see how many voters in the Matsui race in CA can look past 'labels'.

[Dog Gone]

I love the smell of stomped Democrat in the morning. It smells like victory.

[Clintonfatigued]

My congratulations to Joe Strauss and all of his supporters.

[SwinneySwitch]

"I hate to see that kind of division when obviously we have to work together."

San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas has 10 state Reps and 8 of them are democrats. She wanted 9!:^)

[snowman1]

WWWWHHHHIIIINNNNEEEE, Sounds just like JFINGSKERRY. I SHOUDA WON I SHOUDA WON I SHOUDA WON

[Reagan is King]

"He's a Republican, and that's a regret I have, that people just vote by label," she said. "I hate to see that kind of division when obviously we have to work together."

If you're a Democrat today then I must assume you agree with the leadership of your party, which is anti-American, often treasonous, corrupt, pro-abortion, and racist.

If you don't agree with those things then I would change parties because I wouldn't asssociate myself with those types. It's the old "birds of a feather.." theory and it's usually true. So, since most people don't feel that way then it's pretty easy to figure out why you keep losing elections. People vote for a Republican "label" because they know what the other side stands for.