Noriega's race soars as Watts drops out

[douglas9]

Source: Houston Chronicle

AUSTIN — The departure of San Antonio lawyer Mikal Watts from the U.S. Senate race Tuesday gives Houston state Rep. Rick Noriega a possible clear run for the Democratic nomination and a general election challenge to Republican U.S. Sen. John Cornyn.

Noriega has a personal story of service in the Legislature and in the National Guard in Afghanistan that his campaign hopes could make him a compelling candidate against Cornyn.

But the question now is whether enough national Democratic campaign cash would make it into Noriega's coffers next year to give him a realistic shot at defeating Cornyn in what some describe as the reddest of the red states.

Noriega said he is not worried as much about how to run the campaign as to make sure it stays focused on "the junior senator," as he refers to Cornyn.

Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/5240202.html#

[sasquatch]

1. Godspeed my Noriega, I hope his name won't be a detriment

[merci_me]

2. I know Rick personally

and in fact, have several pieces of office furniture piled in my living room, ready to have delivered to his campaign office.

State Representative Lt. Col Rick Noriega is an absolutely fantastic person and a dream candidate. He's a 5 term State Representative and an Afghanistan veteran. He went there a Major, was re-elected to and sworn in to his 5th term, while serving in Afghanistan, while his wife, Melissa Noriega served in his stead at the Capitol. Rick came home a Lt.Col. and his wife did Houston so proud, she's now serving as a City Councilwoman-at-large. They truly are "Team Noriega".

His name, reputation and service are all assets. Our only stumbling block is $$$$'s. I'd urge all DU'ers to visit http://www.ricknoriega.com and discover what more Rick offers to his country and maybe toss in a few bucks.

[douglas9]

3. Another excellent link about Mr Noriega

http://blog.draftricknoriega.com/frontPage.do

[Stevepol]

4. Be a lot harder to win over the voting machines that the people of Texas.

I'll be pulling for him, but unless the voting machine rascality is taken care of by then, his chances are slim I think.