Neugebauer, Isett Lead Fund Raising in Special Texas Congressional Election

Lubbock, TX, Avalanche-Journal ^ | 04-27-03 | Fuquay, John

[Theodore R.]

Neugebauer, Isett lead fund raising By JOHN FUQUAY AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

In the race to represent District 19 in the U.S. Congress, the top eight campaigns — in terms of fund raising — have raised almost $2 million, according to recent financial disclosures.

Campaign strategists — independent ones and those connected to campaigns — have said the seat being vacated by Larry Combest, R-Lubbock, likely would take mid- to upper-six figures to win. So far, five of 17 candidates have campaign funds eclipsing $100,000.

Randy Neugebauer, R-Lubbock, is the leading fund-raiser with $604,515; however, $150,000 of his total is money he loaned to his campaign. He has $454,515 from contributions.

State Rep. Carl Isett, R-Lubbock, is second in money raising with $411,123 — all from contributions.

Mike Conaway, R-Midland, has $383,848 in contributions and a $25,000 loan for a total $408,848.

Two other candidates, both Lubbock Repub licans, topped the $100,000 mark with sizable loans.

David Langston has a campaign balance of $193,082, which includes loans from himself totaling $102,000, and Stace Williams has $115,550, which includes loans from himself totaling $110,000.

The financial statements were filed electronically last week with the Federal Election Commission, which requires electronic filing when a candidate receives more than $50,000.

Three other candidates meet the requirement: Donald May with $71,624, Vickie Sutton with $53,530, and Bill Christian with $50,660. May and Sutton are from Lubbock, Christian is from Midland, and all three are Republicans.

Combest announced in November that he was retiring at the end of May. A special election is set for Saturday, and most of the candidates are expecting a runoff between the top two vote-getters.

The Avalanche-Journal polled 12 of the 17 candidates running for the seat, asking each to explain why voters should vote for them.

Responses were unavailable from Richard Bartlett, 38, R-Midland, physician; John Bell, 50, R-Kermit, independent oil producer; Bill Christian, 40, R-Midland, public servant; Thomas Flournoy, 79, C-Midland, a self-em ployed repairman; and E.L. "Ed" Hicks, 72, I-Denver City, a retired farmer.

JAMIE BERRYHILL, 50, R-Odessa, public servant: "It was once stated by the likes of Charles Finney and Samuel Adams that the Christian must (have) an active interest — and if called — an active role in the governance of the Republic. 'He therefore is the truest friend to the liberty of his country who tries most to promote its virtue, and who, so far as his power and influence extend, will not suffer a man to be chosen into any office of power and trust who is not a wise and virtuous man — the sum of all is, if we would most truly enjoy this gift of heaven, let us become a virtuous people.' My commitment to the constituents of the 19th Congressional District is this: I will not serve you in my own strength, but rather in the wisdom and strength of the Lord Almighty. The great challenges I have faced whether leading citizens in tax rollbacks, economic diversification, steering companies from bankruptcy, raising six children or leading women from destitution to fulfilled lives, I know it has only been because of my leaning not unto my own understanding but rather upon his."

MIKE CONAWAY, 54, R-Midland, certified public accountant: "The issues facing our nation that Congress must address are stimulating the economy, lowering taxes, reducing the size of the federal government and protecting ourselves through improved homeland defense and border control. At their core, these issues are business issues. I am a CPA with more than 30 years of business experience, which I believe makes me the best qualified candidate to work on these issues. I am a Christian, husband, father and conservative Republican, and I am asking you for your vote."

KAYE GADDY, 64, D-Odessa, retired newscaster: "I will honor each vote cast for me as if it were my own personal vote being cast. The issues are clear regarding agriculture, petroleum, water, education and health care, minority conditions, veterans services, the economy and economic diversification. I will bring strong, experienced, visionary leadership, discerning bipartisan decision making and thoughtful, prudent judgment to resolving these issues in the best interest of all. I urge Christian conservative Texas Democrats to stand up and be counted for new and vigorous Democratic leadership, both domestically and internationally, in a Republican-controlled Congress and administration. The need is great, the time is now. Thank you so much for your continued prayers and support for me and our glorious 19th District."

CARL ISETT, 46, R-Lubbock, certified public accountant: "Congressional District 19 is losing a very honorable, proven and accomplished leader with the departure of Larry Combest, so I believe it is important we elect someone with proven experience and proven conservative leadership. I've been elected four times by West Texans to serve in the Texas House of Repre sentatives, and as their representative, I've worked with Governor Bush to pass the largest tax cut in Texas history and to improve public education. I serve as a lieutenant commander in the Naval Reserves and on the Texas Homeland Security Task Force. While the other candidates in this race ask you to trust them, I am asking you to consider my record and to trust me with more responsibility so I can affect national policy."

DAVID LANGSTON, 50, R-Lubbock, lawyer: "My background as a staff assistant for Congressman Mahon for seven years, as an attorney who has worked on some of the most complex and difficult problems facing this region, and my experience as mayor of Lubbock, where I had to deal with the challenges and opportunities of leading the largest city in this region, all qualify me as the person who can do the best job representing the interests of the people of the 19th District. The next congressman must address the issues of lowering taxes, ensuring that all of our children have the opportunity for a good education, building a strong West Texas economy and making quality health care affordable and accessible to everyone. I will be an aggressive advocate for all of the people of the district and will work hard to solve these difficult problems that confront our nation. I pledge to always listen to what the people of this area are saying and then be strong enough to go to Washington and vote issue-by-issue in the best interest of the district — and not strictly along party lines."

DONALD MAY, 57, R-Lubbock, physician: "As a former military officer, a surgeon, an educator and a farmer, I am the only candidate who will be immediately qualified to address the tough issues of national defense, health care, education, agriculture, energy and water. I understand the problems that have created our health care crisis, and I have the courage to address these problems and to work with others to solve them. We can return to much lower health care and prescription drug costs, and we can continue to improve on the quality of medical care. I am the only candidate who will have town hall meetings in the district; we will have at least 10 town hall meetings each year in 10 different cities and towns throughout the 19th District. I am also the only candidate advocating term limits for members of the U.S. Congress."

RANDY NEUGEBAUER, 53, R-Lubbock, land developer: "I am a proven leader who worked at the federal level to get three bills signed into law by the president, developed extensive relationships with the key leaders in Washington, successfully fought the EPA and OSHA over excessive regulation, was invited by Maj. Gen. Brady to attend the prestigious Civilian War College and in March, just after the war in Iraq began, attended a briefing at the White House to discuss the president's faith-based initiatives. I accomplished all of this as a volunteer, and I am ready to do much more as your congressman. Additionally, I am the right age and my children are grown, therefore I have the time and flexibility this job demands. I am a tireless and dedicated worker with a sincere interest in serving the people of West Texas and have the potential for rapid advancement to positions of leadership in the U.S. Congress. Finally, I can be trusted to honor our conservative West Texas values, to turn away the lobbyist and political action committees whose agenda is not what is best for West Texas and to always listen to and speak frankly with the citizens who hired me to represent them."

JULIA PENELOPE, 61, G-Lubbock, self-employed: "I am the only candidate that offers the voters of District 19 a real choice, the only moral choice. Republicans have claimed for decades that they oppose 'big government.' What they really oppose is any law that interferes with business as usual: health and safety laws for workers; equal opportunity, anti-discrimination and sexual harassment laws; affirmative action to level the playing field; regulation of commerce and the stock market; environmental laws that require them to pay for polluting our environment, to take responsibility for the ecologically destructive consequences of their activities, and to stay out of areas already set aside to protect our wilderness and endangered species. Only corporations now count as 'the people.' As individuals, the people's rights have never been more endangered. Bush and his thugs have created a governmental monster, an expensive, illegitimate, cumbersome bureaucracy that reaches into every sphere of our lives, including the reproductive rights of women, every woman's right to a safe abortion. The Green Party is the only party that cares about the people's quality of life."

CHIP PETERSON, 63, L-Lubbock, author, investor, professor: "First, I am well qualified with a doctorate in economics, experience in Washington and expertise in the impact of government on financial markets and the economy. I also have a number of contacts in Washington who could help me provide excellent constituent service. Second, people should vote for me to send a message to Congress to fix Social Security now! Eventually, 'normal' retirement ages for Social Security will have to go up, and people need to know when, so they can plan their lives. In addition, tax-favored savings programs such as those proposed by the Bush administration need to be put in place so people can start saving now and acquire the stock of saving they need to supplement Social Security or retire 'early'."

JERRI SIMMONS-ASMUSSEN, 47, D-Lub bock, self-employed: "District 19 voters should vote for me because I bring personal experiences to the table instead of reading about 'statistics' in a book; such as the issues of child care, the economy, unemployment, agriculture (losing the family farm), health insurance, Medicare issues, small-business regulations and education whereby the Texas House wants to pass legislation to cut education such as taking money from local public schools, using the funds for private schools and home schooling, using public school funds to pay for online classes, computer equipment and Internet access for home-school and private school students. People who have their children home-schooled from the beginning have no perception of what public schools are about and this does not motivate future teachers to pursue a career in public school teaching, which was a concern of a local principal in Lubbock who said that we should not undermine our children's education, which includes cutting teachers' pay nearly $500 a year and also would require retired schoolteachers to pay $60-$80 more per month for health insurance when most are on a fixed income. It should also be known that if a candidate runs as a Republican they have to answer solely to Tom Delay, according to their Republican views, and the U.S. Congress is trying to pass the same type of legislation with regard to education as well, whereas I also bring with me the Democratic platform which includes all classes of people such as the working class, and I will be accountable to Nancy Pelosi as a Democrat with more tolerant views. Tax cuts are meant to help people, but by all accounts they reduce benefits for the middle class and lower class by shaving programs as mentioned, such as education, Medicare (privatization should not occur and should be left intact), and social service programs such as Medicaid and CHIP (Children's Health Insurance Program)."

VICKIE SUTTON, 43, R-Lubbock, law professor: "I have the experience that can help us in West Texas, with senior-level Republican political experience and a record of significant achievements in Washington, D.C., working for President George H.W. Bush as assistant director in the White House — that no other candidate can demonstrate. Experience and knowledge are power in Congress, and I am the only candidate who can effectively represent both ends of this district, with an agriculture degree and experience in developing a national energy policy for President Bush. More members of Congress have advanced degrees than ever before, and about one-third have law degrees — I have both a doctorate and a law degree; in fact, I teach constitutional law at Texas Tech School of Law, and those are powerful assets in Congress. At a time when our region and our country need it most, I have the experience, knowledge and respect as an expert in bioterrorism to ensure that we get the resources we need to ensure our public safety and medical support. While there are many nice candidates running for this seat, I hope the voters of West Texas will watch the forums and visit my Web site (www.suttonforcongress.org) and vote for the only candidate with senior Washington experience who can truly hit the ground running in the job of U.S. Representative."

STACE WILLIAMS, 36, R-Lubbock, lawyer: "I was born and raised in West Texas and have a keen understanding of the needs of the 'common man' — the working class. For nearly 12 years, I've been accountable on a daily basis, in a fiduciary capacity, to the working class. There have only been three representatives from this district in the past 70 years. This is perhaps the last opportunity the citizens of West Texas will have to put a common man in office — one who truly understands the concerns of the average person and one who will not buckle to the whims of special interest groups or just the rich and powerful. As a lawyer and businessman, I've built a strong practice from the ground up with my own two hands through relentless dedication, effort and energy. Those are the same strengths I bring to the table as a congressman for the 19th District."

The following answer was inadvertently omitted from last week's story asking voters how they would advance the agricultural and energy-related needs of District 19:

JERRI SIMMONS-ASMUSSEN, 47, D-Lub bock, self-employed: "Farmers in the 19th District are worried about making profits on their crops so what I would do is create more exports rather than imports. I would also make more land and water available to the farmers by restricting water usage on home or commercial lawns and by restricting urban encroachment on farmland. For the energy-related interests of District 19, I would recommend the use of more wind turbines producing electricity, and in the form of small-scale wind pumps (often largely low-tech 'appropriate technology' installations) still used extensively in world agriculture. With regard to oil drilling, the oil found in Alaska would only last six months, so I would suggest drilling in the Gulf Coast area of Corpus Christi with off-shore drilling. Also, we should consider some type of agreement with South America and Mexico (which has 12 percent of the world's oil versus the United States and Canada which has about 3 percent of the world's oil) about drilling oil there and having it imported to the United States as the distance is considerably shorter than importing from the Middle East."

jfuquay@lubbockonline.com 766-8722

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