Burnt Orange Report

Defeat Pro-Redistricting "Democrat" Ron Wilson, Donate to Alma Allen

By Byron LaMasters

There's a lot of contested primaries here in Travis County, and across the state of Texas on March 9th, but there's two that I feel particularly passionate about. The first of which is the primary for the 25th congressional district between U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Austin) and Judge Leticia Hinojosa. Lloyd Doggett has been my congressman since I moved to Austin to go to school, and he has served the city of Austin, the University of Texas and the Democratic Party as well as anyone could. He's been involved and active in our community and has dedicated himself as a leader in Congress to find loopholes in various rules to obstruct the worst of the Republican agenda. His senority means a lot to Austin, and our ability to have a representative fight for us in congress, and he needs our support. I'll be doing some blockwalking for Doggett and for other candidates the University Democrats have endorsed in east Austin over the next few weekends. I'd urge anyone in Austin to do the same, and if you're not, you can chip in with a donation here.

The other primary race in Texas in which I feel particularly strong about is the race for state representative district 131. This is the race which pitches pro-redistricting State Rep. Ron Wilson ("D"-Houston) against State Board of Education member Alma Allen (D-Houston). Alma Allen has finally set up a place where you can contribute online. Why is this race so important?

Ron Wilson was one of two Texas Democratic legislators to vote for the final version of the redistricting bill which has already forced one Congressman (Jim Turner) to retire, and has seriously jeopertized the careers of six others (Lloyd Doggett, Chet Edwards, Martin Frost, Nick Lampson, Max Sandlin and Charlie Stenholm). No one who works to destroy the careers of these great Democrats deserves to run under the Democratic Party banner. Ron Wilson has sold out the Democratic Party time and time again, and it's time we take him out. Not only did Ron Wilson sell out our Democratic Congressmen on redistricting, but his antics have constantly been an embarrassment to our party.

There's this Houston Press article that we've cited several times before here on BOR. Wilson has gone out of his way to attack good Democrats with low blow attacks. Consider these examples:

On Killer D Leader State Rep. Garnett Coleman (D-Houston):

After a turn on the witness stand two weeks ago in the Democratic lawsuit challenging the plan, Wilson attacked colleague Garnet Coleman for his history of manic depression. Many considered it a low blow, but that was just one more unstatesmanlike wisecrack in an ongoing torrent of invective by the Houston legislator.

[...]

Wilson opined that "I don't consider [Coleman] an African American."

After the deposition, he contended that Coleman "has placed the interest of party politics and his own economic welfare above the interests of African-Americans, the community I represent. He's seen fit to sing the piper's tune and to be Chris Bell's boy by betraying black people."

[Coleman is Black for the record.]

On State Sen. Rodney Ellis (D-Houston):

Wilson took a shot at state Senator Rodney Ellis of Houston, testifying that "he's got his head up his ass half the time." Just to help the court reporter, Wilson spelled it out: "A-S-S. Ass."

On Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee (D-Houston):

Even Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee came in for some verbal pummeling from Wilson after her court testimony against redistricting.

"She thinks she can spend all of her career just berating people, jumping on 'em and calling 'em out every chance she gets. And when they get ready to draw the lines, does she honestly think they're going to help her? I don't think so!"

Ron Wilson hasn't just been nuts recently, however. He has a long history of embarrassing behavior. The Houston Chronicle reported on this last month (my link is from FreeRepublic.com - I'm embarrassed to say - but it carries the full text of the now archived article):

State Rep. Ron Wilson's 27-year political career is notable for his willingness to take controversial stands.

· 1988: He excluded white reporters from two meetings he conducted on a $2.6 billion street improvement and monorail development proposal for Houston.

· 1990: Accused River Oaks Elementary School officials of racism and requested a series of racial statistics after his then-8-year-old son Erik was transferred to a new class and did not perform as well. A superintendent quickly ordered the boy returned to his original class, sparking concerns over political favoritism.

[...]

District 131 needs a change, and Alma Allen will give them one. She's extremely well qualified for the seat as you can read in her Biography. As Democrats, it's critical that we send a message to Ron Wilson and any other "Democrat" who thinks they can get away with voting for redistricting anywhere in the country, that it's unacceptable, and the Democratic grassroots won't tolerate it.

Ron Wilson has been in office for 27 years and it's time for him to go. Donate to Alma Allen today and add $.27 to let her know it's coming from the blogs.

Thanks.