Posted on 02/06/2005 1:34:55 PM PST by Theodore R.
Straus captures District 121 Web Posted: 02/06/2005 12:00 AM CST
Rebeca Rodriguez Express-News Political Writer
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.
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