DeLay Forced to Remain on BallotDemocrats have won their suit to foil the scheme by Texas Republicans to have Tom DeLay replaced by a hand-picked successor:
The Texas Republican Party cannot replace former U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay on November’s ballot, U.S. District Judge Sam Sparks ruled today….
Sparks’ order prevents state Republican Chairwoman Tina Benkiser from completing the process of naming a DeLay successor. Although the Republican Party is expected to appeal, Sparks’ order keeps the campaigns of possible GOP candidates for congressional District 22 in limbo.
Under state law, a political party cannot replace a nominee who resigns in mid-election. But Benkiser said she could replace DeLay because he had become ineligible to represent the GOP on the ballot when he moved to the Virginia condo he has owned for the past 12 years.
Looks like the appeal is the next battle. But in the meantime, the Dem candidate Nick Lampson will just keep raising money….
