By the time word flashed across TV news screens Monday night that Tom DeLay would not seek re-election to the congressional seat he’s held for 11 terms, Sugar Land Mayor David Wallace had already taken down the content on his mayoral campaign web site and switched political gears.
In fact, Wallace said he’d received word over the weekend that DeLay was stepping down from office, perhaps as soon as May, meaning a replacement will be sought.
“I’m running for that spot,” Wallace told the Houston Chronicle.
He’s not alone. Fort Bend County Republican Party Chairman Eric Thode said state Sen. Kyle Janek also has expressed interest in DeLay’s seat. Thode said he spoke to both Janek and Wallace Monday night, and thinks either would make an excellent candidate.
So has Harris County Judge Robert Eckels, and Houston lawyer Tom Campbell, who ran against DeLay in the March 7 primary election and lost with about 32% of the vote.
And, according to the Chronicle, Houston City Councilwoman Shelley Sekula-Gibbs and former state District Judge John Devine also are interested in running for DeLay’s 22nd Congressional District Seat.
According to Chapter 204, Subchapter B. of the Texas Election Code regarding a vacancy in the U.S. House of Representatives, “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….”
According to Chapter 203, …”a special election shall be held on the first uniform election date occurring on or after the 36th day after the date the election is ordered.”
The first “uniform election date” falling within that range appears to be the May 13 elections, assuming Gov. Rick Perry orders a special election within the next three or four days.
Thode maintained that DeLay’s Republican opponents in the March 7 primary election – Campbell, Pat Baig and Mike Fjetland – won’t be considered as viable.
“None of the three candidates that were in the race will be considered,” he added.
In fact, Wallace said he’d received word over the weekend that DeLay was stepping down from office, perhaps as soon as May, meaning a replacement will be sought.
“I’m running for that spot,” Wallace told the Houston Chronicle.
He’s not alone. Fort Bend County Republican Party Chairman Eric Thode said state Sen. Kyle Janek also has expressed interest in DeLay’s seat. Thode said he spoke to both Janek and Wallace Monday night, and thinks either would make an excellent candidate.
