Parties fight for control of state
November 5 general election could change House, Senate leadership
With
the November 5 general elections only a few days away, both the Democratic
and Republican parties are engaged in all out political war for control of
Texas state government. This is the first election since districts were
redrawn following the 2001 legislative session to favor Republican
candidates. At stake are all statewide offices including Governor, Lt.
Governor, and all 150 seats in the House of Representatives and 31 seats in
the Senate. The question is will the Republicans gain control of the House,
Senate, and Governor’s office for the first time in Texas history?
The race for Governor between Rick Perry and Tony Sanchez is being watched equally for its impact on the races for Speaker of the House and Lt. Governor. If Sanchez can deliver a larger than usual Hispanic vote, democrats down-the-ballot will have a better chance of winning.
Nowhere is this more important than in the House elections, where either party can capture the Speaker’s office with 76 votes. Most political insiders think the Republicans will need at least 90 House seats to make Tom Craddick, a longtime representative from Midland, the new Speaker. This is due to a group of House republicans who remain loyal to House Speaker Pete Laney for his bipartisan actions over the last ten years. Currently there are 79 Democrats versus 71 Republicans in the House. On November 5, 88 of these seats are up for election in contested races. On election night, the race for Governor could determine if the leadership in the House will change.
Leadership in the Senate will definitely change since acting Lt. Gov. Bill Ratliff is not running for the office he was appointed to by his Senate colleagues at the start of the 2001 session. Instead, it will be either Democrat John Sharp or Republican David Dewhurst who takes over what many feel is the most powerful position in Texas politics.
Sharp is supported by Sportsmen For Sharp, while Dewhurst has received the endorsement of Texans for Lawsuit Reform. Both candidates have received an “A” rating from the Texas State Rifle Association. The race is close, and the outcome could depend on the affect the race for Governor has on the rest of the ballot.
Regardless of the outcome, TGDA members should be in good shape. Most all of candidates on the ballot support the Second Amendment and gun rights in Texas. The only question is who will capture the leadership roles in the House, Senate, and Governor’s office. Please vote on November 5!
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House Speaker Pete Laney |