Posted on 06/08/2006 7:21:10 PM PDT by anymouse
Two days before he leaves Congress, he's officially out of race because he moved to Virginia
Texas Republicans took a key official step Wednesday toward replacing U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay on the November ballot, as the state GOP declared him ineligible to run because he has moved his official residence to Virginia.
Friday is the former House majority leader's last day in Congress.
Republican Party of Texas Chairwoman Tina Benkiser notified Republican county chairs in the 22nd Congressional District that they can begin the process for selecting a new nominee. DeLay's successor as GOP nominee will be selected by a four-member committee of precinct chairs representing each of the counties in the district — Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston and Harris.
County chairs plan to call meetings before the end of the month. Once each of the counties has selected its representative, they will meet to choose the new Republican nominee.
DeLay announced in April that he would resign. He is under indictment in Travis County on charges — which he says are politically motivated — related to campaign finance.
DeLay had secured the nomination for a 12th term in March, defeating three primary opponents. The Republican nominee selected to run in November will face Democrat Nick Lampson, Libertarian Bob Smither and possibly Steve Stockman, seeking a place on the ballot as an independent.
"Congressman Tom DeLay was one of the most effective leaders that the U.S. Congress has ever known as well as one of the best advocates for American values of faith, family and freedom," Benkiser said. "We will miss Congressman DeLay in Congress but look forward to his continued leadership in the fight for conservative principles."
Marking his final week at the Capitol, DeLay on Wednesday addressed fellow Republicans, who could be heard applauding him several times during a closed-door meeting. The Sugar Land lawmaker said he told his colleagues not to listen to the media and "to stand on principle."
House Republicans pressured DeLay to relinquish his majority leader's post earlier this year because of fears that his ethics woes would hurt the party in upcoming elections. Nevertheless, Delay said his farewell reception was "fantastic."
"The love is great," he said.
Today he is expected to make a farewell speech on the House floor. On Friday, he is slated to host an open house at his Washington office.
CD22 ping.
I though Delay said on Rush's show that was going to file ethic charges against Cynthia McKinney before he left office?
I though Delay said on Rush's show that was going to file ethic charges against Cynthia McKinney before he left office?
The Democrats obtained a Temporary Restraining Order from a Travis County Judge to prevent the Republican Party from naming a replacement for DeLay.
It appears their objective will be to string out the process as long as possible to prevent the Republican Nominee from mounting any type of Campaign.
"The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down, and the bells were ringing..."
DeLay still has tomorrow to file the ethics charges on McKinney.
I heard a rumor of this today. Do you have a source article?
Try this: www.fortbendnow.com/
"Court Order Stops Republicans from Replacing DeLay on Ballot — For Now"
San Antonio Express-News
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1646014/posts
UPDATE: There's a new article that says a court order has been issued which prevents DeLay from removing his name from the ballot.
http://freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1646014/posts
http://www.austinchronicle.com/issues/dispatch/2001-03-30/pols_naked2.html
Council Member Will Wynn and wife Anne Elizabeth Wynn opened their Tarrytown home last week to some 150 Democratic Party loyalists who paid good money to hear CBS news anchor Dan Rather and former Dell exec and big-time Dem donor Tom Meredith ponder the national political climate. Those with $125 or $500 (or more) to spare for the March 21 event included Vignette founder and former CEO Ross Garber, Austin Ventures big wheel John Thornton, musician/writer/pundit Kinky Friedman, and local politicos Mayor Kirk Watson, District Attorney Ronnie Earle, Council Member Beverly Griffith, and District Court Judge Darlene Byrne. Probable mayoral candidate Robin Rather, who brought father Dan and Meredith together for the bill, was also on hand. Political consultant Mark Yznaga, who headed up the Travis Co. Democratic Party's organizing and vote-getting efforts last November, was credited for pulling the event together and whipping up the finger foods to boot. The cash collected from the fundraiser will retire TCDP's election-year debt and help keep the office afloat next year…
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