In TX-23, Bonilla Gets Strong Challenger

[patrioticliberal]

In TX-23, Bonilla Gets Strong Challenger
According to CQ Politics, former Rep. Ciro Rodriguez (D-TX), who lost a close primary to Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-TX) in Texas’ 28th congressional district earlier this year, will challenge Rep. Henry Bonilla (R-TX) in the 23rd district.

The reason? "The new congressional map for Texas’ 23rd District, invoked Aug. 4 by a federal court panel in response to a June 28 Supreme Court ruling, added thousands of members of south Texas’ Democratic-leaning Hispanic population to the voting constituency of Republican Rep. Henry Bonilla -- making him potentially more vulnerable to a serious Democratic challenge."

As a result, CQ changed its rating on the race from Safe Republican to Republican Favored.

The San Antonio Express quotes Rodriguez: "We've been looking at the data, and it's doable," Rodriguez said. "It's not going to be easy, but it's doable."

http://politicalwire.com/archives/2006/08/10/in_tx23_bonilla_gets_strong_challenger.html

[napi21]

1. Well, GOOD LUCK to Rodriguez!

San Antonio deserves a good replacement for Henry!!!!

[salib]

2. This one is very difficult for local Dems

Remember that the five rewritten districts had their primaries "nullified", meaning that those who one the repug and Dem primaries no longer have any official party candidate standing. Thus, the candidates who was courageous enough to stand up and run against the "entrenched incumbent" repugs in 23 and and 21, and WON the primary, now are not the Dem candidate per se.

This is particularly difficult for Rick Bolanos (http://www.rickbolanosfortexas.com/) in this district (23). Now that the district is more competitive, and since Ciro unfortunately lost to Henry Cuellar, candidates are entering this district and potentially undermining Rick. Of course, it could be argued that it is "fair game" and there is no separate primary, and I agree. It is just a shame. The Democratic Party is going to have a tough time getting behind a specific candidate.

No answer here. Just thought people would want some context.

[n2doc]

3. Hopefully they can unite and kick Bonilla out

He is as bad a DINO as they get in the house...

[NoPasaran]

4. Unity would be great but....

San Antonio politics is kind of like Yugoslavia without the mass graves.

[salib]

6. Are you sure about the mass graves ;-)

[NoPasaran]

7. I try to be optimistic

[salib]

5. Henry Bonilla is a repug, not just a DINO

You may be confusing min with Henry Cuellar. Lot's of Henrys down here!

Yes, I think Cuellar is at best a DINO.