Recent days have seen a couple of new twists in Texas politics. One involves the plans of a state officeholder and her lust for higher office at any cost, while the other relates to the DonQuixote campaign of a good conservative in the 22nd Congresional District.

Let's start with Carole Keeton McClellan Rylander Strayhorn [YOUR LAST NAME HERE], our comptroller and mother of former White House spokesman Scott McClellan. This long-time Austin Dem turned RINO announced for governor months ago -- but rumor has it that when she files on Monday it won't be as a Republican. Instead, it is possible that she will be filing as an independent. Strayhorn and her staff are pointedly NOT denying rumors to this effect.

Strayhorn spokesman Mark Sanders would not answer direct questions about whether Strayhorn will file Monday in the Republican primary or as an independent.

"Carole Keeton Strayhorn is a candidate for governor. She is a Republican. She will be filing for that office on Monday," Sanders said.

If that happens, next fall we will see a race for governor that includes Gov. Rick Perry as the GOP nominee, Kinky Friedman and Strayhorn running as independents, a Democrat nominee (former Congressman Chris Bell?) and the Libertarian candidate. It would not be surprising to see the winner take office with under 40% of the vote -- and the Democrat candidate finish behind at least one of the independent candidates.

And then there is the announcement of another candidate to run against Tom Delay for Congress. This one sounds like someone I could support if the seat were open or held by a Democrat, but not when he is challenging one of the top leaders of the GOP.

A 50-year-old attorney from Sugar Land has filed to run against U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay for the 22nd District in the Republican primary in March.

Thomas A. Campbell, who specializes in environmental law, is the third Republican challenger to take on DeLay, who has held the post since 1985.

Campbell paid the filing fee of $3,125 to the Texas Republican Party in Austin on Wednesday and entered his name in the race.

"We need to return some decency and civility to the way we conduct the public's business," Campbell said.

Campbell said he found it has become increasingly difficult for him to vote for DeLay, who was indicted in September and October on charges related to campaign finances. DeLay has since stepped down as House majority leader.

"I wish I had a choice," Campbell said. "And what I am trying to do is provide Republicans who are conservative a choice, an alternative."

Campbell served as general counsel for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration during the administration of President George H.W. Bush.

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Campbell, who has never held elected office, said he knows taking on an entrenched incumbent in a race with two other challengers will be difficult.

"It is going to be a hard fight, but it is a good fight and it is one we can win," he said.

He is a partner in the law firm Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman and said he will take a leave of absence from his job while he's campaigning.

Campbell said he would work toward reducing government bureaucracy as well as regulatory burdens on small businesses.

Campbell, who received his law degree from Baylor University, has been married for 28 years. He and his wife, Shauri, have five children and are adopting another.

The problem with this challenge is that it comes way too late, and at a time when the party needs to rally around a leader who is under partisan attack by an unethical prosecutor and is targetted by the national Democrats, who are bringing in lots of out of state money to influence the results in our congressional district. I'll concede casting a protest vote against DeLay in 2004 out of concern over the ethics charges. However, I have to stand with Fort bend County GOP Chairman Eric Thode on this one.

Fort Bend County Republican Party Chairman Eric Thode described Campbell as a credible candidate but one with low name recognition taking on a popular incumbent.

"He (DeLay) has represented us well, and I am confident he will be re-elected in the primary," Thode said Wednesday.

Thode said Campbell is not well-known among people active in the local GOP parties.

"He has no viable group of supporters," Thode said.

It's sad that Campbell has gotten into this race in a way that makes it impossible to take his candidacy seriously. But then again, if the seat does open up between now and 2008, perhaps Tom Campbell will have gained the name-recognition and respect needed to mount a real campaign. And, as Chris Elam over at Safety For Dummies points out, he could be the ideal"safety net" candidate in the event that Ton Delay is convicted or withdraws from the race.

Posted by: Greg at 04:03 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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