FOX-AP: DeLay Faces Three Challengers in GOP Texas Primary
Tuesday, March 07, 2006
SUGAR LAND, Texas — U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay faced his first election
Tuesday since he was forced from his job as House majority leader last
year amid corruption and campaign finance scandals that led to
criminal charges and a pending trial.
Attorney Tom Campbell leads the field of three Republican challengers
to DeLay, who started the day in his hometown of Sugar Land before
heading to Washington for an evening fundraiser hosted by Bill Paxon
and Susan Molinari, a couple who served together in Congress before
becoming lobbyists.
While no independent polls were taken
for the primary, a poll taken in January by the Houston Chronicle
found that DeLay's support in his district was 22 percent. Only about
half of those who voted for him in 2004 said they would do so again.
Cal Jillson, a political scientist at Southern Methodist University in
Dallas, said DeLay will almost certainly win Tuesday's primary, but
will have to capture two-thirds of the vote to claim he's out of
trouble.
"If Campbell gets 30 percent and the other two get far smaller shares,
DeLay will try to pitch the notion that he has a solid base," Jillson
said. "But others will say Republicans have bailed on him."
DeLay, who cast his ballot with his wife Christine, said he expected
Republicans to come out in droves to send a message to his detractors.
"We've had every leftist organization in the country down here for a
year," DeLay said. "My constituents get it. They know what a leftist
abuse of power this is."
DeLay was referring to Travis County District Attorney Ronnie Earle,
who led the criminal investigation into how DeLay and two associates
helped funnel money from corporate donors to GOP Texas House
candidates in 2002. The Republicans won a majority in the Legislature
that year, and then pushed through a congressional voting map drawn by
DeLay that gave Republicans the edge in 2004.
A documentary about Earle's investigation, "The Big Buy: How Tom DeLay
Stole Congress," was set for release on Tuesday by a Hollywood
producer whose last movie, sponsored by labor unions, took a critical
look at Wal-Mart.
"I'm glad they're releasing it," DeLay said. "It just shows who they
are. Can you imagine making a movie about abuse of power? I welcome
it. As long as they spell my name correctly."
DeLay faces his first serious primary challenge since taking office 22
years ago. While DeLay is expected to win, a close race with Campbell
or a runoff could indicate an even tougher time for the embattled
congressman this fall.
Texas law mandates a runoff if no candidate gets 50 percent plus one.
If necessary, the runoff would be held April 11.
The Democratic nominee will be Nick Lampson, a well-financed former
congressman ousted from office in 2004 under a new voting district map
engineered by DeLay. Lampson has no primary opponent. Steve Stockman,
a former Republican congressman, is considering running as an
independent.