Delay steps down = special election.

[crispini]

That's my take anyway

http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/statutes/el.toc.htm

SUBCHAPTER B. VACANCY IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

§ 204.021. VACANCY FILLED AT SPECIAL ELECTION. 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.

[usregimechange]

1. Is he not running for re-election or steping down now?

[efhmc]

2. Both.

[Zen Democrat]

3. Inasmuch as this is an election year ...

There's no need for a special election, is there? I would imagine someone will be appointed to fill the seat until the election.

My question, will Tom Campbell, who finished second in the primary, automatically get the nod for the November ballot?

I think Nick Lampson could handle anybody they put up there.

[crispini]

4. although it says MAY not SHALL.

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm would they leave it vacant all summer?

[David Van Os]

5. Special election coming

There has to be a special election. The governor sets the date for the special election. The special election is an open election, no primaries. The Republican Executive Committee chooses a new nominee for the November general election.

[David Van Os]

6. Hold on, maybe no replacement nominee

If Delay indeed resigns before his term expires, yes there will be a special election to fill the unexpired term. But the timing and circumstances of his withdrawal appear to leave no room for the Republican Party to choose a replacement nominee.

[muse]

7. I'm reading different things about that, David

VERY interesting legal ground.

This will get interesting. DeLay seems to be doing some sort of maneuvering inbetween the primary and runoff election. And, there may or may not be a provision for him moving out of state. I can't figure it out and it will be interesting to see what the Secretary of State has to say about it.

Can't wait!

[babylonsister]

8. So a Dem wins by default? We'll take it! I hope this

is confirmed!

[Freddie Stubbs]

9. They can choose a replacement if the nominee is no longer qualified

Delay is changing his residency to VA.

[Lisa0825]

10. KTRH (blech) says special election.

They said on the air this morning that there would be a special election.

[sonias]

11. Mayor David G. Wallace Jr. will run in special election

NY Times 4/4
DeLay Is Quitting Race and House, Officials Report
Monday night, with the news ricocheting around Texas and Washington, the mayor of Mr. DeLay's hometown, Sugar Land, David G. Wallace Jr., said he would seek the seat. Asked in an interview if he was running, he said, "I am."

Mr. Wallace, 44, an investment banker and real estate developer serving his second two-year-term in the part-time City Hall position, said he had not talked to Mr. DeLay about a vacancy but had been hearing "rumors in the last couple of days."

"Our understanding is that if Tom vacates the seat, there will be a special election called," Mr. Wallace said.

Mike Stanley, campaign manager for Tom Campbell, a lawyer who led the Republican challengers to Mr. DeLay in the primary March 7, said he believed Mr. Campbell would now seek to reenter the race.

Sonia

[merci_me]

12. Other possibilities, including Lampson

On the news this morning, they said besides Sugar Land Mayor David Wallace, there is a possiblity that County Commissioner Robert Eckles and Houston City Councilwoman Shelley Seluka-Gibbs may enter the race. Last night, one of the news programs said to look for State Senator (or Rep.?) Kyle Janeck to look at the race. Last night there was mention of Thomas Campbell, but no mention of him on the list this morning.

Then this morning, they did a live interview with Nick Lampson and asked if he would enter a special election. He said they would be looking at how the law reads.

Editing to add link to Houston ABC affiliate: http://abclocal.go.com/ktrk/