Dems want DeLay on ballot Options

[pebkac]

http://www.forbes.com/home/feeds/ap/2006/0.../ap2804341.html

The Texas Democratic Party won a temporary restraining order Thursday blocking the process that would name a replacement for Republican U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay on the November ballot.

State District Judge Darlene Byrne ordered Texas GOP Chairwoman Tina Benkiser not to convene party officials to decide on DeLay's replacement until after a June 22 court hearing.

Democrats are trying to keep DeLay's name on the ballot, which would also keep his legal problems in front of voters. DeLay leaves Congress on Friday.

State Democratic Party Chairman Boyd Richie said Democrats are trying to keep the GOP from creating a "sham vacancy" for the Republican nomination for the 22nd Congressional District.

Richie said DeLay intentionally waited until after the primary to get out of the race, announcing he would abandon his re-election campaign and move to the Washington suburbs. He said the GOP then declared DeLay ineligible, assuming he would move from the state, and started a replacement nomination process while he was still in Congress and eligible for the ballot.

A phone call to the Texas Republican Party by The Associated Press wasn't immediately returned Thursday night.

Republican lawyers argued in court Thursday that DeLay's intent is the deciding factor, according to a report on the Austin American-Statesman Web site.

DeLay is awaiting trial on money laundering charges he says are politically motivated.

I'm not sure who to side with on this one. On the one hand, the voters of that district deserve an election. On the other hand, it's wrong of the republicans to try to hand pick someone without holding another primary.