Fight to replace DeLay on ballot hits federal court

June 16, 2006, 10:58PM
Fight to replace DeLay on ballot hits federal court
Democrats want to force the GOP to mount a write-in effort in November

By JANET ELLIOTT
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN - A fight between the state Democratic and Republican parties over replacing Tom DeLay on the November ballot has moved to federal court.

State Republicans filed papers Thursday to move from state to federal court a lawsuit filed last week by the Texas Democratic Party. The Democrats sued to block Republicans from picking a replacement for former U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay on the ballot for the 22nd Congressional District.

The Democrats are hoping to keep DeLay's name on the ballot against their nominee, Nick Lampson. Since DeLay is no longer eligible because he has moved out of the district, Republicans would be forced to write in a candidate.

Republicans are trying to replace DeLay, who resigned from Congress last week amid legal and ethical problems, as quickly as possible so their candidate has enough time to campaign in hopes of keeping the seat for the GOP.

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