Remap plans put 3 lawmakers in jeopardy

[Judi Lynn]

July 15, 2006, 1:15AM
Remap plans put 3 lawmakers in jeopardy

By R.G. RATCLIFFE
Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

AUSTIN - Proposals to reunite Webb County into one congressional district and boost Latino voting strength in South Texas were given to a federal court Friday, but the partisan nature of some plans could cause some incumbent congressmen re-election headaches later this year.

The new congressional maps were delivered to a three-judge federal panel that must decide how to fix South Texas congressional District 23, which the U.S. Supreme Court declared illegal last month.

The nation's high court said dividing Webb County into two congressional districts diluted Latino voting rights in violation of federal law.

All of the proposed new maps put Webb County back together in one congressional district or another.

But they also had a varying political impact on three incumbents: U.S. Reps. Henry Bonilla, R-San Antonio; Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo; and Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin.
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/4048500.html

[acmejack]

1. Anything to get rid of Doggett

They can't get rid of him any othe rway, the voters love him.

[Gman]

2. Putting Laredo into District 28 was done at the very last minute

during the redistricting. They did it because Henry Cuellar came within 3000 votes of beating Henry Bonilla. Cuellar ended up running against Ciro Rodriguez who lost a fraud ridden primary to Cuellar in 2004. Maybe Ciro can run again in the 28th. I'd love to have a real Democrat for a Congressman again. (my district)