With [tag]Tom DeLay[/tag] [tag]resigning[/tag] from Congress in disgrace, Texas’ 22nd congressional district is suddenly in disarray. Since DeLay just recently won a Republican primary in the district by a smaller-than-expected margin, what happens now?
DeLay told Time yesterday, “This is a very strong Republican district. It’s obvious to me that anybody but me running here will overwhelmingly win the seat.” Well, maybe.
Let’s not forget that when DeLay executed his legally dubious re-redistricting scheme, he intentionally made the 22nd a little less Republican, so as to help elect more GOP House members in surrounding districts. As far as DeLay was concerned, he was popular and powerful, and had votes to spare. It was predicated on arrogance, not altruism — DeLay assumed voters in his area would continue to vote for him, no matter how corrupt he got. He apparently isn’t thinking that anymore.
DeLay’s departure therefore raises four questions about the district:
* How does the GOP replace DeLay on the ballot? The state and national GOP determined that DeLay’s name would be on the ballot unless [tag]DeLay[/tag] died, was convicted of a felony, or moved out of the state. DeLay chose door number three and changed his official residence to his condominium in northern Virginia. The fact that DeLay will [tag]resign[/tag] from Congress wasn’t necessary for ballot purposes.
* What about a special election? At this point, this is a little unclear. The WaPo reported, “Depending on when DeLay steps down, Texas Gov. Rick Perry (R) could call a special election to fill the vacancy. It would be up to local GOP officials to replace DeLay formally on the ballot in November, but party officials say that the winner of a special election — assuming it is a Republican — would almost certainly be placed on the fall GOP ballot.”
* Who’s going to run? For the Dems, former Rep. Nick Lampson is still, obviously, the man for the job. For the GOP, the NYT reported that Sugar Land Mayor David G. Wallace Jr. has already said he’s running. Tom Campbell, a lawyer who took on DeLay in a primary last month, is also expected to vie for the seat. Another possibility worth watching is former Rep. Steve Stockman (R), who’s been running for DeLay’s seat as an independent. According to the Houston Chronicle, other Republican names in the mix are Harris County Judge Robert Eckels, state Rep. Robert Talton, Houston City Councilwoman Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, and former state District Judge John Devine.
* And what about [tag]Nick Lampson[/tag]? [tag]Lampson[/tag] was competing very well in a head-to-head match-up against DeLay, so the resignation announcement could be a setback. As Salon’s Farhad Manjoo explained, there are two angles to Lampson’s position at this point: “1) He’s toast, because the liberals will now pull back all they’d been pouring into his race, and he’ll face a candidate who will likely appeal to many in the district, or 2), He’s golden, because now he may challenge a candidate who’s weaker than DeLay, and the lefty hordes will only strengthen their support of his effort if only to spite DeLay.”
Stay tuned.