Chairman Dunnam Comments on Outrageous House Election Contests

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Jim Dunnam

House Democratic Leader

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Tamara Bell

November 30, 2004 512-463-0508




Chairman Dunnam Comments on Outrageous House Election Contests

"It is unbelievable to me that in one of the reddest of the red states, in a state that overwhelmingly voted for George W. Bush, Republican officials in Texas don’t trust the voters. Once again, House Republicans have shown that their contempt for the will of the voters knows no bounds. As numerous newspapers have editorialized, Republicans are having trouble understanding the concept of democracy. Elections occur at the ballot box, not on the floor of the Texas House.


"Republican officials need to respect the will of the voters instead of engaging in another partisan power grab where the rights of Texas voters are institutionally discarded. Republican officials need to understand that the voters in House Districts 35, 50, and 149 are entitled to choose their State Representative, not politicians in Austin.


"Beginning the next Legislative Session with a contentious election contest is not good for Texas. All of our energy from the first day of session until the last should be focused on guaranteeing every child in Texas quality health care and an equal opportunity to obtain an exemplary public education, not subverting the will of the voters to save someone's political career. Just because you are a member of the majority party does not mean you are above the rules of democracy.


"Nothing will disrupt the House more than a bitter, partisan election challenge at the beginning of session. Speaker Craddick issued a statement on November 4th that said, 'the elections are over and its time to put partisanship behind us.' I agree."




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