Dems Now Eying DeLay's District for 2006

[LynneSin]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=536&e=2&u=/ap/20050408/ap_on_go_co/delay_democrats

HOUSTON - Democrats, who often ignored Rep. Tom DeLay (news, bio, voting record)'s Republican-leaning district, see a political opening in 2006 now that the House Majority leader faces ethics questions and dismay over his intervention in the Terri Schiavo case.



Democratic activists in the suburban Houston district have been composing a wish list of possible candidates as the embattled DeLay answers questions about his record.


In past elections, the Republican who won his House seat in 1984 has coasted to victory, often with more than 60 percent of the vote. Last November he won by 55-41 percent.


This week, a Houston Chronicle poll in the district found that 49 percent said they would vote for someone else. That number has sparked the most interest in a Democratic primary in the district in years.


"Now that DeLay is being pushed ever closer to the political brink, everyone is realizing that any of these challengers on his worst day might be better than DeLay on his best day," said longtime Democratic strategist Kelly Fero.

<<<<snip>>>>>

Among the potential Democratic challengers:


_Richard Morrison, a lawyer from Sugar Land, Texas, captured 41 percent of the vote with only $630,000 against DeLay's $2.9 million in last November's election. Morrison is favored by local Democratic activists who believe he deserves their loyalty for his strong showing.


_Houston City Councilman Gordon Quan, a Chinese-American immigration lawyer, could capitalize on the district's growing Asian and South Asian population.


_Former Rep. Nick Lampson, whose district was redrawn to favor the GOP and covered areas that DeLay now represents, including the NASA area and Galveston. Lampson said he has been approached by several people but hasn't decided whether to run.



I'll donate my cash to help oust the idiot. If Tom was smart, he'd retire now before he brings down the entire repuke party with him

[crispini]

1. Kick in your cash to Morrison;

he's already running and I'm giving him $10 a month. He was a Dean Dozen guy last time, a real smart guy and ran a GREAT race against the Bugman when nobody else would go up against him.

www.morrisonfor22.com

[LynneSin]

2. My funds are somewhat limited

that I'll donate once a candidate is chosen. Unfortunately a bulk of my money will probably end up helping to oust Rick Santorum up here in Pennsylvania. But I love to spread the hope across the country!!

[last_texas_dem]

3. This is good to see

Seeing Delay get ousted would be the highlight of the '06 elections. And there's a couple very good potential opponents. Morrison made a good showing against Delay in the last round of elections, and has been giving him hell pre- and post-election. I interned in Lampson's office in his former district; he's a good guy and, as the article mentioned, has already represented areas of Galveston and Harris counties (NASA included) that Delay stole for his district when he re-redistricted. Looking forward to a good race.