[drjimmy]

If the 5th Circuit turns down the appeal, he could try to run on behalf of another candidate, and promise to resign immediately if elected. Consider it a form of the Mel Carnahan gambit.
But resigning would only guarantee that yet another election would need to be held. No one can be appointed to fill a vacant House of Reps seat, unlike vacant Senate seats. So the district would be unrepresented until a special election could be held. That's not something district residents would take kindly to.

[HostileTerritory]

They could have another special election within a few months. Compared to the choice that Texas law and the courts are forcing on the 22nd district--a Democrat, a Libertarian, but no Republican who can or will serve--they would appreciate the chance to have a primary for a Republican nominee and then elect him in the general.

Lampson's toast in 2008 even if he does win this year.