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March 10, 2004

DINO Representatives Go Down to Defeat

By Byron LaMasters

Texas Democrats want real Democrats to represent us at the capitol, and by and large, we got that wish last night. The Austin American Statesman reports:

Supporting the new Republican leadership and its agenda proved to be poison for the political careers of several Democratic legislators.

Seven Democrats, including longtime Houston Rep. Ron Wilson, were defeated in Tuesday's primary or headed for runoffs. Five were tied directly to support for GOP-backed legislation and Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick.

Wilson specifically was targeted by Democrats for his support of Craddick and redistricting, the bitterly partisan issue that sparked two Democratic boycotts, lawsuits and three special sessions in 2003. Craddick later thanked Wilson for his support by attending Wilson fund-raisers.

State Board of Education member Alma Allen defeated Wilson, ousting him from a seat he held for 26 years.

"I think our people wanted professionalism and they got it," Allen said. "I offer them me as a change agent to make things happen differently from the way things are happening now."

Wilson could not immediately be reached for comment. Before the primary, Wilson accused Democrats of being racist. Wilson, like Allen, is black.

"Because I didn't do what the white, liberal, extremist Democratic leaders wanted me to do, they're trying to punish me," Wilson told the Houston Chronicle last week. "It's a racist attitude."

Glenn Lewis of Fort Worth, another Democrat who was part of Craddick's leadership team, lost his bid for another term to Marc Veasey.

Another issue that rankled Democrats was a civil lawsuit liability bill which capped lawsuit awards for pain and suffering. Known as the "tort reform" bill, it was one of the most contentious issues of the 2003 session.

Former Rep. Tracy King defeated Rep. Timoteo Garza of Eagle Pass, who won the seat from King two years ago. Garza originally had voted against tort reform but ultimately supported the final version.

In Hidalgo County, incumbent Rep. Roberto Gutierrez of McAllen fell into a runoff with Veronica Gonzales. Gutierrez had supported the tort reform bill.

"Voters saw through the tort reform issue and made their voices heard," Democratic Party spokesman Mike Lavigne said. "You can't buddy up with Craddick then come back to your district and expect your voters to support you."


Democratic voters taught our elected officials an important lesson last night. If you represent a Democratic district, we expect you to vote like a Democrat. That's what we expect, and that's what we got.

Posted by Byron LaMasters at March 10, 2004 12:42 PM | TrackBack


Comments

No one with a brain need apply. Must be willing to follow orders of the Master.

Posted by: peter at March 10, 2004 01:46 PM

Good to see my guys aren't the only ones who get rid of anyone who doesn't do what we tell them.

Posted by: Tony Soprano at March 10, 2004 01:51 PM

Yes, follow the Republican Master! Then get your ass booted. This isn't about following the Democratic leadership, it's about not following the mob mentality of the GOP in Texas.

Posted by: e at March 10, 2004 02:08 PM

All Democratic representatives have to know to whom they owe their allegences - the democratic voters and not Tom Craddick.

More of our Senators need to know this too - several of them voted for HB1 (the budget) and HB4 (tort [de]form) & HB 3015 (tuition deregulation). Unfortunately, we were unable to teach them the same lessons that whoring yourself out to Republicans will make the voters abandon you.

Posted by: WhoMe? at March 10, 2004 05:03 PM

I won't enter the argument over purity.

But I fail to see where Democrats advance their cause by losing the experienced Chairmen of the Ways and Means, Public Health, and County Affairs committees. Three seasoned liberals in the leadership replaced by three freshmen liberals who will be back-benchers -- where is the gain??

Posted by: notgonnatell at March 10, 2004 08:46 PM
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