More Evidence of Erosion in Texas Delegation Power

by: NV

Tue Mar 20, 2007 at 06:53 PM CDT

Rep. Sessions brings up the rear of the Texas delegation, coming in at 425.  This is a stunning drop for Sessions--he was 85th in the 2006 Congress.  The second least powerful member of the delegation is Rep. Poe.  He comes in at 422.  He may try to blame that on his lack of seniority, but he is also the second least powerful member of his class (2004), just ahead of Bobby Jindal.

Rep. McCaul is 414th, followed by Gohmert (404), Culberson (387), Conaway (382), Burgess (382), Brady (355), Paul (345), Thornberry (313), Neugebauer (309), Marchant (296), Hensarling (293), Carter (264), Johnson (260), Granger (227), Hall (169), and Barton (69).

As for the Texas Democrats, they are lead by Chet Edwards (37) and Silvestre Reyes (39).  Henry Cuellar is last (296).  Cuellar is the third lowest ranked Democrat in the class of 2004.

This is yet another indication of how redistricting has eroded the influence of the Texas congressional delegation.  No doubt that Sandlin, Turner, and Stenholm would have been in at least the top 100.  Their replacements are weak, even within their own party.

5 Texas Republicans vote "no" to human rights resolution

by: CoolOnion

Thu Feb 01, 2007 at 05:24 PM CST

Occasionally, Congress will vote on a resolution urging another country to take action on a particular matter--in this case, asking the U.K. for an independent inquiry into the murder of Pat Finucane, a human rights lawyer who was killed in his home by pro-British loyalists in 1989.

On Tuesday, Chris Smith (R-NJ) introduced a resolution supporting an inquiry into Pat Finucane's murder, and the resolution passed with 364 voting yes, and only 34 voting no.  That's right--34 voted no, including 5 Texas Republicans...

[TX-32] Get to Know Will Pryor

by: Whiskey Sam

Tue Sep 26, 2006 at 07:54 AM CDT

We'll leave no district behind, because no district is hopeless.

I grew up in North Dallas, in an area that is part of the 32nd Congressional District currently represented by Pete Sessions.  For my entire life I’ve lived with a sense of learned helplessness that the 32nd is Republican, and that’s just the way it is.  I refuse to believe this garbage anymore.  I know enough Democrats in this part of Texas…enough people who say the same things that I say about the way things are in the 32nd…that I’m starting to believe that the dark days of regressive politics have an end in sight. 

If this optimism is going to have any payoff, the learned helplessness of Dallas Democrats must be shed in favor of a collective togetherness and effort.

Let me introduce you to the 32nd Congressional District in Texas, and Candidate Will Pryor.