Free Republic

Republican businessman Joe Straus III handily won the Texas House District 121 race Saturday over his closest challenger, Democrat Rose Spector. "It was a very strong signal that the voters in District 121 want consistent and conservative leadership," he said from his victory party at the Barn Door restaurant. Spector, a former Texas Supreme Court justice, said she had hoped to appeal to a broad swath of voters, but was unable to break through party politics in the conservative district. "He's a Republican, and that's a regret I have, that people just vote by label," she said. "I hate to...

AUSTIN — Elizabeth Ames Jones, the former state representative from San Antonio, was formally nominated by Gov. Perry on Tuesday to the 3-member Texas Railroad Commission. Jones, a Republican, still needs to go before the Senate for confirmation. She declined to be sworn in to her House seat last month, after Perry announced she was his pick to replace Charles Matthews. Vying to fill Jones' 121st District seat in Saturday's special election are former Texas Supreme Court Judge Rose Spector, a Democrat; businessman Joe Straus III, a Republican; and former state Rep. Paul Silber, who is running as an independent....

Democrats question GOP fund-raising Perry says soliciting for Railroad Commission nominee is proper. By Mike Ward AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF Saturday, January 22, 2005 Democrats on Friday criticized Gov. Rick Perry and Republicans for raising money for Railroad Commission nominee Elizabeth Ames Jones while the legislative session is under way. They also questioned whether a Perry aide is benefiting from the efforts through the actions of her husband. Republicans disputed the criticism, insisting that fund-raisers for Jones, who was elected to the House but didn't take office, do not violate a state law prohibiting campaign fund raising by officeholders during the session...

With the vacancy for the Texas House District 121 seat now official, names of potential candidates on both sides of the aisle have begun to percolate through political circles. Gov. Rick Perry has until Jan. 31 to call a special election for the seat to replace state Rep. Elizabeth Ames Jones, who was selected Tuesday for the influential Texas Railroad Commission. Until an election is scheduled, no one can officially declare their candidacy. But four politically connected people have expressed interest in the seat: Democrats Melissa Kazen and Chip Haass and Republicans Joe Straus III and George Pierce. The district,...