For years, taking on Tom DeLay in his home district was a thankless, futile task. When a powerful lawmaker climbs the political ladder, amasses huge sums of money, and represents a district that shares his or her ideology, there’s not much of a point in mounting a serious challenge.
Before 2004, DeLay’s closest race ever was one in which he won by 24 points. His was an example of the quintessential “safe seat.” Dems were lucky to field a candidate to run against him, better yet a field of several possible Dems. But, suddenly, the landscape has changed considerably.
A new poll, for example, shows DeLay’s support in his district slipping badly. And, as the DCCC’s Jesse Lee noted, Texas Dems that used to fear DeLay’s power are, all of a sudden, anxious to take him on.
Houston city council member Gordon Quan has confirmed for that he’s talked with national Democratic Party leaders about running against DeLay.
Democratic activists say former Congressman Nick Lampson, who didn’t return calls, is also considering campaigning for DeLay’s job.
And then, there’s Richard Morrison, who ran against DeLay last year. The self-described “no name” candidate won 42 percent of the vote.
“If I have primary opponents, that shows that there is true vulnerability with Mr. DeLay because, as we all know, throughout the whole history no one wanted to run against him because they assumed he was unbeatable.”
Morrison’s right. When he ran against DeLay in 2004, DeLay won by 14 points, but it was the closest race of DeLay’s career and hinted at a weakened position for the former bug spray salesman.
Now that polling data shows DeLay’s support at an all time low, several GOP areas have been split up to help other Republican candidates, and higher-profile local Dems eyeing the race, is it overly optimistic to consider Texas’ 22nd a (gasp!) “competitive” district?