Lampson wins Chronicle Endorsement

by: Michael Hurta

Wed Oct 15, 2008 at 03:32 PM CDT

With looming national elections likely to cement his party's hold on Congress, constituents should carefully consider their community interest in choosing between Lampson and Republican Pete Olson.

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He has also worked to create a presence in the district, attending hundreds of town hall meetings to convince constituents of his sincerity.

"I believed that if I could show people that I was going to be available and accessible to them differently than what they'd ever seen before," says Lampson, "then they would honor that and respect me enough to send me back as their representative."

Equally as important, if Lampson wins he will be in a position to use his accumulated seniority to head a key House subcommittee overseeing NASA during the next session. He holds a strong commitment to increased funding for manned spacecraft development in the future.

This is clearly one election where the district's pocketbook interests should outweigh partisan considerations at the ballot box.

Although many conservatives in the district might reprimand the idea of earmarks, the Chronicle reminds Houstonians of one important factor: it is one reason you might actually be able to vote for a Democrat even if you are voting your pocketbook.  And since Nick Lampson has kept his job in mind since being elected to CD22, that makes him the best choice.