Now that Tom DeLay’s obscene re-redistricting scheme appears to have passed legal muster, the real problems begin. Hard-working Democratic House members from Texas now have to figure out how to keep their jobs after the Republicans have underhandedly stacked the deck against them.
Rep. Jim Turner, a four-term Democratic congressman from East Texas, for example, announced yesterday that he has “no realistic opportunity to seek re-election to Congress.” He’ll retire at the end of the year.
It’s a sad fate for a lawmaker who deserves better. Sure, Turner is far less progressive than I am, but he’s made a name for himself in Congress and has earned the right to seek re-election in a fair district. Turner is the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee and a member of the House Armed Services Committee.
To be sure, Turner isn’t alone. One of my absolute favorite members of the House, Rep. Chet Edwards (D-Texas) has seen his congressional district sliced up for the GOP’s advantage, too. Now he’ll have to run in Texas’ 17th CD, which is now 65% Republican. Another personal fav, Rep. Martin Frost, is in a similar predicament.
As Molly Ivins said today, “I just hate when Tom DeLay and Karl Rove get away with a dirty deal like this.”