Filings in the DeLay replacement suit

Thanks once again to reader Jeff N., who forwarded me the Friday filings by both sides in the DeLay replacement lawsuit. You can see the GOP filing here and the Democratic filing here. Neither one looks like they're breaking new ground, and it's clear from these how each side is approaching the case - the GOP focuses on the law, while the Democrats emphasize the facts of the case. I'm sure I'm not the only person here who's anxiously awaiting Judge Sparks' ruling.

Meanwhile, Greg in TX22 points to this Galveston News article, in which DeLay speculates about what might happen in the event of an adverse ruling for his side.

When asked what he would do if Sparks ruled his name must remain on the ballot, DeLay seemed to leave the door open for a return.

"You never know what can happen," he said. "I feel confident we have the law on our side, and we will prevail. But I hadn't thought about it until you asked. There may even be a chance for me to win.

"Wouldn't that be something?"

That's one word for it. I'm not sure if this casts any light on DeLay's beliefs about his current eligibility, as Greg suggests, but then I've believed all along that DeLay was strictly motivated by doing what he thought he could get away with. I don't think he ever believed in this beyond what he needed to in order to get the replacement process sanctioned and completed.

Finally, the Fort Bend GOP precinct chairs got together yesterday and picked their selector, Terese Raia. They also did the following:

Immediately after the meeting was adjourned, Fort Bend County GOP Chairman Gary Gillen had party officials pass out informal ballots to the CD-22 precinct chairs present, and asked them to vote for the DeLay replacement candidate of their choice.

Gillen’s Harris County counterparts took a similar straw vote last week, but have yet to count the results for fear of influencing the other counties.

However, to the surprise of Raia and several party members in attendance at the meeting, Gillen immediately counted the results of Wednesday night’s straw poll and displayed them.

They showed Sugar Land Mayor David Wallace with 20 votes, state Rep. Charlie Howard with 13, Fort Bend County Commissioner Andy Meyers with 7, Houston City Councilwoman Shelley Sekula-Gibbs with 2, and candidates Tim Turner and Tom Campbell with 1 vote apiece. Twelve precinct chairs did not cast votes.

After the votes were tallied, Wallace called on Raia to support him as the candidate favored by Fort Bend County’s CD-22 precinct chairs.

Raia is of course not bound by this, though I'm sure it will influence her. As Mark documented, Raia had a questionnaire for the chairs to get more information from them about what kind of candidate they wanted. Mark's summary of all this is very funny, so check it out. The Muse was also present and gives a report as well.

Will any of this matter? We should know soon enough. Stay tuned.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on July 06, 2006 to Election 2006 | TrackBack