Down to the Wire: Remember Texas?

[Omaha Steve]

http://blog.aflcio.org/2006/10/31/down-to-the-wire-remember-texas/

Down to the Wire: Remember Texas?

In the first of our “Down to the Wire” series featuring union mobilization reports from the states, Ed Sills, communications director at the Texas AFL-CIO, gives us an overview of the national and state races in the home of former exterminator and ex-member of Congress Tom DeLay. Sills will follow up on the action in Texas with a blog Nov. 8. Any union member, retiree or member of the media who would like to sign up for the Texas AFL-CIO news e-mail should e-mail Sills at [email protected].

Even with outstanding election atmospherics entering the Nov. 7 election, Texas remains a tough place for the union movement to achieve a seismic political shift. As Texas AFL-CIO President Emmett Sheppard has said, it took us several election cycles to get into the predicament in which we find ourselves, and it will probably take us several to get out.

In congressional races, a 2003 mid-decade re-redistricting fiasco in Texas severely limited the playing field in a rapidly growing state that now has 32 members in the U.S. House. The redrawing of lines heavily tilted the majority of districts in one partisan direction (currently 21–11 Republican), but even in Texas, Democrats are poised for gains in 2006.

The contest drawing national attention is in Congressional District (CD) 22, the district formerly held by Rep. Tom DeLay (R). Former U.S. Rep. Nick Lampson is running a terrific campaign in a region that has voted heavily Republican in the past. Lampson was aided mightily by DeLay’s failed attempt to allow Republican leaders to select the nominee. DeLay’s machinations ultimately left the GOP without a candidate on the ballot, though a Libertarian is present. A write-in effort by Republicans on behalf of a Houston city councilwoman is widely regarded as a long shot.

In another key race in CD 17, U.S. Rep. Chet Edwards (D) represents the most Republican district in the nation (based on past election results) held by a Democrat. Republicans planned to throw big money at this district, but the inexperience of the challenger and Edwards’ strong lead in the polls has prompted the national party to take its resources elsewhere as unions work hard to turn out the Edwards vote.

FULL story at link above.