Texas Senate District 18--Massive Foul-up

[rusty_parts2001]

There were two primary candidates, Brett Baldwin and Henry Boehm. Shortly after filing, Boehm makes a public announcement saying he was withdrawing. He doesn't actually file the right forms to withdraw, however. His name stays on the ballot. The primary is held. Surprisingly, Boehm wins 51% to 49% against Baldwin who did virtually no campaigning, assuming either he would win or that Boehm had withdrawn.

Now Boehm has decided to "officially" withdraw. State law says the State Democratic Party Exec. Committee can't appoint someone to fill the place on the ballot (Baldwin included), unless the withdrawing candidate withdraws for a serious medical illness, diagnosed by 2 doctors (not applicable here). Boehm publicly announces he is withdrawing (again) because he doesn't have time and doesn't want the job.

As a result, there will likely be no Democratic candidate on the November ballot for the State Senate. The incumbent, Democrat Ken Armbrister of Victoria, chose not to run for re-election.

Is this a Rovian scenario or what?

[cosmik debris]

1. I just want to know how

I just want to know how Boehm got 51%??? I refuse to believe that the voters of SD 18 are so stupid that they would elect someone who didn't want the job, and was so incompetent that he couldn't even get his name off the ballot. There has to be more to this story. Please fill in some details. thnx

[rusty_parts2001]

2. Heres my take....

Boehm didn't campaign. In the two markets where the newspapers gave space to his "first" withdrawal announcement, La Grange and Victoria, Boehm lost, but it was close.

Baldwin, for his part, didn't campaign much, just speaking to otherwise knowledgeable Democrats like at Dem. clubs. He failed to take into account the general ignorance of the electorate on the primary candidates. He also didn't check on whether Boehm filed the requisite withdrawal papers as he was required to.

Also Armbrister, the incumbent, didn't make his announcement of not running again until January 2. So there was not a lot of time for voter education.

There is enough fault on this matter to go around. Baldwin should have campaigned, Armbrister should have made up his mind sooner, Boehm should have done the right thing and filed the paperwork to get out (or maybe Baldwin should have made sure he did). Who knows!

The net result is a big zero for Democrats in SD 18.