Lampson calls for special election May 13 to fill DeLay's term

[Rose Siding]

As Tom DeLay backers yelled in the background, Congressional candidate Democrat Nick Lampson called on Texas Gov. Rick Perry today to hold a special election May 13 to fill Tom DeLay's unexpired term.

Lampson's morning news conference in front of Sugar Land City Hall was disrupted by about two dozen DeLay supporters, who shouted slogans and displayed signs against him.

The news conference and demonstration broke up after about 20 minutes with Lampson supporters and DeLay backers exchanging shouts. There were no arrests..

Lampson said the special election should be called so that the area has representation during the next few months. Lampson supporters were carrying tea bags, which they described as symbols of taxation without representation, a reference to the American revolution.
...
"Tom DeLay lost this race," Lampson said in a news release. "Now, it's time for him to move on."

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/metro/3774754.html

[napi21]

1. I'm sure this is because Perry can just name a replacement, but

if I understand the law right, he has to do it very soon. The standard Tx. law states the special election would be held on the next scheduled election...which is May 13th.

[Stewie]

3. The governor can't name a replacement.

That applies only to the Senate, because they were originally selected by state legislatures and back then they were not able to convene quickly to select a new one.

I assume he could name the May local elections as a new date.

[saigon68]

7. Like the Pope maybe Jerry Falwell can name a Fundy replacement

And consecrate same

[NoPasaran]

4. Perry cannot name a replacement

A governor can name a replacement if there is a vacancy in the Senate, but seats in Congress have to be filled by election.

[Bridget Burke]

5. Perry can't name a replacement.

(This probably varies from state to state.)

Perry can:

* Set the date for a special election within 20 days after DeLay vacates the office--which he will probably do in June. (Why fucking JUNE--he'll be able to start collecting his $67,000 per year pension immediately after leaving office!)

* Put the vote for a temporary replacement on the General Election ballot.

* Leave the office empty until a new Rep is elected.

[TexasLawyer]

2. A major bell-weather election

This early election in Texas Dist. 22 would have the national spotlight and be a very, very, very big deal.

Right now the spotlight is on Francine Busby's race in San Diego for Duke Cunningham's seat. But the race for Tom DeLay's seat-- and the impending victory by Democrat Nick Lampson-- will be huge.

[Stewie]

6. Texas state law

According to Sec. 204.021 of Texas election code, "An unexpired term in the office of United States representative may be filled only by a special election in the same manner as provided by Chapter 203 for the legislature, except that Section 203.013 does not apply."

Section 203 states "a special election shall be held on the first uniform election date occuring on or after the 36th day after the date the election is ordered." Sec. 203 applies to vacancies in Congress, as well as the Legislature.

As far as I can tell, there's nothing that can force Perry to name an election date other than November 7. In fact, it seems like DeLay could hold out until October 3rd to formally resign.

Also, I think the term "uniform election date" means an election held in all precincts in the district. I don't think anything until November would apply, as not everyone lives in a city or town having a spring or summer election.

[Geoff R. Casavant]

8. We have to face it

Delay gamed the Election Code on his way out -- there can be no special election before the regular election in November.

[MagickMuffin]

9. New Campaign: STEP DOWN WITHOUT DeLAY

A Nov. 7 date would mean voters in the 22nd District would vote twice for congressional candidates — once to fill out what then would be the final two months of DeLay's term and once for the next term.

As to confuse voters, nothing more than DeLay's Cockroachery. He does his best work in the dark, wouldn't you say?
Gov. Goodhair did something similar before the primary this year!

Governor Rick Perry has called a special election (before the primary) for this race, set for February 28 (Democrat Katy Hubener is running for State Representative for Texas District 106 (which emcompasses Grand Prairie and a small part of south Irving). This was intentional, so that the Republican could have a better chance of winning.

Some GOP leaders prefer that option, saying a separate special election would be too costly. But Lampson and others say it would be unfair to leave the people of the district without representation in the U.S. House for several months.

You bet they do. They like confusing voters. By any means necessary.

Cheat,
Steal,
Rig,
Memory Chips,
Computer Glitch,
Dark of the Night,
More Cockroachery.

Voting twice on election day would offer the best chance for the Repubs to steal it. Since when did the Repubs care about "saving money", oh yeah, right this is about the Voters getting to elect their representative, and we all realize by now the Reichwing doesn't believe in democracy. They believe in De"mock"racy. We the Corporations, decide who's "Elected"

Tom Campbell, a Fort Bend County lawyer who came in second in the March Republican Primary, said a special election should be held before Republican leaders select a nominee.


"The November election (should be) informed by the results of the special election." said Campbell, who has stated his plans to seek the seat. "The selection process should be open, transparent and democratic. We need to avoid any appearance of selection by back-room bargain."

At least someone within the GOP race understands the process, and willing to expose the inside dark of night shenanigans and Cockroachery.

[rainbow4321]

10. Perry: No special election for DeLay's seat

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/dn/latestnews/stories/040706dntexdelayseat.c63127d.html

Gov. Rick Perry said Thursday he won't call an emergency special election to replace resigning Republican U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, meaning candidates for the suburban Houston congressional seat will have to wait for the November election.

DeLay, who is under indictment in Texas on charges of criminal conspiracy and money laundering, announced this week that he will resign sometime before mid-June.

"If I don't get (DeLay's letter of resignation) by close of business tomorrow, the election will be in November," Perry said Thursday.

Perry has the authority to call an emergency special election anytime or wait for the next uniform election date, which is May 13. DeLay would have to resign this week for a May election. After that, the next election date is Nov. 7.

[gratuitous]

11. Not surprising

Gov. Perry isn't going to rock the boat. But it's good that Lampson made his demand anyway. Shows a little fighting spirit, and that's to his credit.

[Carla in Ca]

13. The man who did the Ed Schultz show today

interviewed a woman from Lampson's campaign. She said the press conference was held today because tomorrow is the deadline that Perry can call for a special election in May. She said there are a lot of needs for the district and it shouldn't be left without representation until November.

She also said that last night emails were sent from DeLay to staffers urging them to disrupt the press conference, just like they did in Miami in 2000 (bastards) to upset it as much as possible. She also stated that a 69 year-old woman was pushed and her hat was pulled down on her head and she has received injuries. She may file a lawsuit if cameras caught the incident on tape.

Nothing, nothing is below these rodents!

[cascadiance]

12. Poor, poor Tom Delay and his supporters!...

NOT!