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Spend time with family and work on future plans Texas Democratic Party Chair Charles Soechting just sent an email to the State Executive Democratic Committee announcing his intention not to seek re-election at the state convention next summer. He told QR, "The part I hate the most will be not being Chair when the election cycle turns. Although I think I did my share. It will be almost three years when I give the reins over at the state convention but there comes a time when family obligations kick in. The rest of the story, subscribers only

WASHINGTON — Rep. Lamar Smith was urged to step down as chairman of the House ethics panel on Friday — even though he doesn't hold that title — by the chairmen of the Democratic Party in Texas and Ohio. In a letter to Smith and Rep. Alan Mollohan, D-W.V., the ranking Democrat on the ethics panel, the state party chairmen said Smith's involvement in a San Antonio fund-raiser for a political action committee founded by House Majority Leader Tom DeLay poses a conflict of interest. "We are writing to ask you to step aside as chairman of the House Committee...

Texas Demos set sites on the White House BY APRIL CASTRO Associated Press Writer HOUSTON - Texas Democrats rallied in support of presidential candidate John Kerry on Friday, buoyed by a call to action by Henry Cisneros, former U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Cisneros criticized President Bush during an address to the Hispanic Caucus of the Texas Democratic Party, saying he ended the "longest economic expansion" in modern history. Cisneros, a former San Antonio mayor, vowed Kerry would usher the country into better economic times and bring more Hispanics into the middle-class. "The greatest tragedy to me is...

Perry stirs up GOP convention BY KELLEY SHANNON AP Political Writer SAN ANTONIO - Gov. Rick Perry stirred Texas Republican Party fervor Thursday with sharp attacks on gay marriage, abortion and Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry. President Bush's re-election bid took center stage as the GOP's state convention began, as did the Republican effort to seize control of the 32-member Texas congressional delegation. Republicans are aiming to win 23 Texas seats in Congress now that a GOP-leaning congressional redistricting plan is in effect. Currently the delegation is evenly split between the two parties. Perry, addressing thousands of Republican Party faithful,...

Election count facing scrutiny by state party Cuellar takes 203-vote lead BY TRICIA CORTEZ Times staff writer Roberto Balli, Webb County Democratic Party chairperson, filed an affidavit Thursday asking for a recount of the recount in Webb County, because of electoral irregularities and possible fraud in the congressional race between Ciro Rodriguez and Henry Cuellar. Balli sent the notarized affidavit to Charles Soechting, chairperson of the Texas Democratic Party in Austin. Soechting is expected to make a decision Friday morning. Meanwhile, Cuellar claimed victory Thursday over Rodriguez by 203 votes, after all 11 counties completed their recount of ballots cast...

Demos oust members who supported GOP BY JIM VERTUNO Associated Press Writer AUSTIN - The Texas primary election took its toll on state House Democrats who had aligned with the Republican leadership during the bitter partisan fights last year. Seven House Democrats, including longtime maverick lawmaker Rep. Ron Wilson of Houston, were defeated or headed for runoffs. Five had supported GOP-backed legislation and Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick. "I'm tickled pink," said Texas Democratic Party Chairman Charles Soechting. "I don't describe it as a purge. I describe it as a realignment of priorities." Wilson was the biggest name to fall....

Local Democrats honor Stenholm with Local Hero Award By JOHN FUQUAY AVALANCHE-JOURNAL Only 11 days since becoming a U.S. representative serving Lubbock, Charlie Stenholm was honored Saturday with a Local Hero Award from the Lubbock County Democratic Party. Stenholm was thrown into Lubbock's congressional district after a Republican-backed move to draw new lines and gain more House seats. The Abilene Democrat is the former representative from District 17, but Abilene was moved into District 19 where voters elected Republican Randy Neugebauer of Lubbock in a special election during the summer. "Republicans are the opposition, they're not the enemy," Stenholm said...

Democrats plan Saturday event honoring heroes The Lubbock County Democratic Party has a full day of events scheduled for Saturday, including strategy sessions and a banquet honoring U.S. Rep. Charles Stenholm. The Abilene Democrat will be honored at the fourth annual Local Heroes Banquet, and newly elected Texas Democratic Party Chairman Charles Soechting will speak during a luncheon. Dinner for the Local Heroes Banquet begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Lubbock Memorial Civic Center Ballroom, 601 Ave. Q. Cocktails will be served starting at 5:30 p.m. To purchase tickets, call 749-8683. More information is available online at www.lubbockdemocrats.org. Democrats have...