In Texas, Front-Running DeLay Replacement Spars with Local GOP

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Texas Republicans are scrambling to choose their party’s “official” write-in candidate to oppose Democrat Nick Lampson’s congressional run. Because Tom DeLay withdrew late from the race for Texas’ 22nd district seat, Republicans are barred from officially nominating a candidate and placing his or her name on the ballot.

At least three GOPers have thrown their hats in the ring, and the local Republican leadership is scheduled to meet Thursday to make the call. One, perceived frontrunner David Wallace — also mayor of DeLay’s (former?) hometown of Sugar Land — says he’s running no matter what party says.

Last week, Wallace’s spokesman called the Republicans’ powwow a “non-binding mock election.” Harsh, no? But since then he’s juiced up his rhetoric even further. Here’s Wallace in today’s New York Times:

[Wallace] disparaged the meeting, saying “that may have worked in Moscow,” and vowed to keep running even if it meant two Republican write-in candidates.

Although Wallace has raised the most money and claims the support of many local big-wigs, there is apparently some resistance to Wallace’s push in the party. For one, the Texas Republican Chairwoman is “no friend of his campaign,” he told the Times.

At least two other Republicans have expressed interest in running for the seat. One of them is Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, a dermatologist and Houston City Council member. She told me that unlike Wallace, she’d bow out if local Republicans tapped another candidate.

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