Democrat Presidential Primary at Risk in TX Redistricting Feud

Lubbock Avalanche-Journal ^ | 10-06-03 | AP

[Theodore R.]

Presidential primary at risk in feud

AUSTIN (AP) — The state's role in presidential politics could be a casualty of Republican infighting over West Texas boundaries in the effort to redraw congressional districts.

Weary and sometimes angry lawmakers seemed to give up Sunday on reaching an agreement on new congressional districts in time to make the changes and still hold the Texas primary March 2.

And tension continued to build among legislators Sunday. At one point, an abbreviated House session erupted in a shouting match between House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, and a dozen Democrats trying to force a vote to end the special legislative session.

Still, some lawmakers said they were hopeful somehow to avoid moving the primary.

"We think it is unfair to the candidates, both Republican and Democratic alike, as well as the voters, and we're continuing to negotiate in good faith in order to avoid (moving the primary)," said Sen. Todd Staples, R-Palestine, a chief Senate negotiator.

If the primary is delayed, state Democrats could lose influence in picking their party's nominee to challenge President Bush next year — a Democratic candidate might already have the party's nomination sewn up before the delayed Texas vote.

The office of Secretary of State Geoff Connor has said the Legislature must adjourn and the redistricting bill must be signed no later than today to maintain the March 2 primary date. However, both chambers adjourned until Wednesday.

Republicans want to draw a map that will increase their numbers in Texas' congressional delegation, which is led by Democrats 17-15 under a map approved in 2001 by three federal judges. Some GOP proposals would increase Republican seats by as many as six. Democrats have fought to keep current lines in place.

Republicans, however, are arguing over the shape of three West Texas districts. Craddick wants a new Midland-based district that would represent the oil and gas industry by separating it from Lubbock, but Sen. Robert Duncan, R-Lubbock, wants to maintain his region's farm and agriculture representation in Congress.

Lawmakers can consider legislation until the special session ends Oct. 15. But a redistricting bill would not take effect until 90 days after it is signed by Republican Gov. Rick Perry. If the Legislature had been able to adopt a map Monday, potential congressional candidates would have missed the January filing deadline by two days.

An elections bill that could delay either the filing deadline, the primary, or both, has been sent to a House-Senate conference committee. But opposition from both parties could halt a delay of the primary.

During the regular legislative session, the Texas presidential primary was moved up a week from March 9 to March 2 to join California and New York and enhance Texas' role in the selection of presidential nominees.

Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, and Craddick, key voices in negotiations, have indicated they're not concerned about moving the primary.

"It's not a big deal," King said. "I don't think Texans care a bit whether they have the primary in March or April or May or June. I don't think it matters ... Texas is going to vote for President Bush and he's going to carry it heavily."

Critics say that in addition to diluting Texans' voice in the election, delaying the primary would also diminish turnout, waste tax dollars and interfere with local elections.

Perry, who has said he prefers not to delay the primary, maintained that the push to put more Republicans in the congressional delegation would accurately reflect the state's voting trends.

"I think what's more important is to have a process that works where the people of the state can elect their representatives to Congress in lines that have been drawn by the duly elected representatives," Perry said.

In the House on Sunday, Democrats shouted at Craddick as he dismissed the session for the day.

With 12 Democrats and two Republicans present in the 150-member body, Craddick stormed angrily off the dais after gaveling the chamber out of session for the day over loud objections.

Democrats, the minority in the House, had hoped to end the session because they had a majority vote. Had Craddick recognized their objections, the lawmakers would have had to vote on whether to end the session, Democrats said.

"When we allow our elected officials to run roughshod over the rules that we govern our land by, we are creating a dictatorship and we can't tolerate that in the Texas House," said Rep. John Mabry, D-Waco, who argued that Craddick was required by House rules to recognize their objections.

[IMRight]

Is there a chance this is intentional? How large a role was TX expected to play in the nominating process? Perhaps it's "payback" for the trouble the Dems caused...

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[DJtex]

Diminishing the Democratic Presidential Primary would be a very good idea for the Republicans, actually. The Texas Democratic delegates are important to fight for, so a lot of anti-Bush TV ads are going to run if the primary is held as scheduled in March. If it's delayed a month, then the process will be over and we'll be spared all the ugly attack ads here.

[Paleo Conservative]

Is there a chance this is intentional? How large a role was TX expected to play in the nominating process? Perhaps it's "payback" for the trouble the Dems caused...

You mean my vote for Dean or Sharpton won't be decisive?

[Theodore R.]

No, the redistricting has bogged down over matters of Midland and Lubbock. The fact that the congressional primary may occur some months after the presidential primary is a coincidence. Some other states also have the presidential primary early, NH for instance, but the congressional primaries much later in the year. If Duncan and Craddick cannot agree, there may be no redistricting, much to the delight of the Democrat minority in TX.

[Ferndina]

Are'nt these the same fine bunch of polititians that fled the state twice so the redistricting could not be done? I hope every person in the nation is reminded of this, you reap what you sow.

[Theodore R.]

Yes, the Democrats bogged down the process, but now it is Republicans blocking final passage. I personally think State Senator Duncan is the obstructionist; others think it is Speaker Craddick who is dragging his feet by insisting on a Permian Basin district.

[Mac94]

Nope, this is a House republican versus Senate republican fight. The Dems are on the sidelines now.

[MissAmericanPie]

I am really liking Rick Perry, even though he got off on the wrong foot with me by signing the hate crimes legislation that is far to vague and open to abuse.

If messing around with lines in two districts puts the entire redistricting in danger of failing then Craddick should back off, unless there is some importance attached that I am over looking.

Texans deserve to be able to shake the democrat ticks off their backs and have the conservative representation that the law calls for.

[jsbankston]

When the Democrats in California got desperate they attempted to move the recall election thus the Texas Legislature can now move Texas' primary elections.

[Theodore R.]

The TX GOP never thought about moving the congressional primary date. This has suddenly emerged as an issue because the Craddick-Duncan schism may lead to a delay in the House election unless the two lawmakers can never agree on any plan.