AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Friday, October 10, 2003
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, said today he will run for a sixth term in 2004 regardless of what district he'll be in.
"I've already declared for re-election, and I expect to be seeking re-election to represent as much of my hometown and my home county as I can," Doggett said.
The Republican-drawn congressional map, being debated in the state Legislature, divides Travis County three ways — with one new district extending to the Mexican border, and another reaching almost to Houston. Doggett's home is in the latter district, which was drawn to be solidly Republican.
"They really came in and did a hatchet job on Travis County," Doggett said. "Literally, the street I live on, they circled around our condo and included us in the 10th District. My daughter lives about three blocks away, and she's in another district. My other daughter lives in Hyde Park and is in a third district. I can almost see, from my front porch, all three districts."
Doggett said he is confident a federal court will overrule the new map as violating the Voting Rights Act. The Austin-to-McAllen district seeks to limit minority-voting strength by packing in Hispanics, while the Austin-to-Houston district denies black and Hispanic voters the opportunity to influence elections, he said.
"I think the court will look at this disgraceful process . . . and will reject it," Doggett said.