Todd Baxter resigns!

[NoPasaran]

http://pinkdome.com/archives/2005/10/baxter_resigns.html#comments
:woohoo:

[GOPisEvil]

1. YES!!!!! YES!!!!!!! THERE IS A GOD!!!!!

:woohoo::party::bounce:

[GOPisEvil]

3. Surprise, surprise...a special election...(Statesman link inside)

Ben Bentzin our least favorite Dellionaire...

http://www.statesman.com/metrostate/content/metro/stories/10/21baxter.html

[johncoby2]

2. WHY? and how does it relate to delay?

[Justitia]

4. From the article....

"Baxter first won election to the House in 2002 and won re-election last year by fewer than 200 votes. He has been attacked by Democrats for taking money in 2002 from Texans for a Republican Majority, formed by U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay, and from the Texas Association of Business, which, like DeLay, is under indictment for its involvement in the 2002 elections.

Baxter was never charged with any wrongdoing.

"I think probably Todd saw the writing on the wall and the Republican establishment, my assumption is, moved in and said, 'Mr. Baxter, you're not going to win this race and so let's put somebody in there that doesn't have the baggage you have,' " said Chris Elliott, chairman of the Travis County Democratic Party. "But any candidate they put in there, Ben Bentzin or whoever else, is going to be a product of the same Republican establishment that has been inept in the way they run this state."

[sonias]

5. Christmas has come early to Travis

I feel so blessed. We're just the epicenter of the earthquake that's crumbling the republican party both National and state.

"I am stepping aside because my family and my professional career come first," Todd

The standard Repuke line when they get into trouble. I think Todd did know that the $35K DeLay extorted for him was too big to overcome. He just couldn't see parting with any money i.e. he can't return it. He's damaged goods.

Ben Bentzin, yuck. A special election, means a special election. Bentzin doesn't get the district by default. Andy Brown or Donna Howard or even Kathy Rider might be able to win it. I would love to see one of them win and then get re-elected in Nov 06. Wouldn't that be grand!

Sonia

[melissinha]

6. what is real reason?

So, besides being linked to dirty laundered TRIMPAC money, whats the reason???

[NoPasaran]

7. Satan wanted his hair back

[derby378]

8. So which Democrat has the best chance of replacing him?

I see three in the article. Any favorites so far?

[NoPasaran]

9. Andy Brown announced first

And he's already been blockwalking for several months. Donna Howard is pretty new to the race, Kathy Rider is just getting off the ground. With the caveat that I don't live in the district, I would guess that Brown is the frontrunner. I hope that our county chair will work something out between them so that we do win the special election and hold on to the seat in November.

[acmejack]

10. I live in 48!

I like Andy 7 I have been doing some of the aforementioned block walking. Andy is very campaign savvy and well funded. He is hooked up with the Party Heavyweights too.

He was also Doggett's campaign manager last election.

[Melissa G]

11. I like Andy too! I spent a lot of time around him at the Doggett

campaign and he is a really smart good guy!

[VelmaD]

12. yesyesyesyesyes!!!!!!!!!

Even more reason to celebrate next Wednesday at the Keep Austin Blue gathering. :)

[PDittie]

13. This is who Andy's running against...

From Save Texas Reps:

Continuing their assault on Austin democracy, Republicans at the State Capitol have pushed Tom DeLay protege Todd Baxter aside and cleared the way in their party for Ben Bentzin to run instead.

Baxter’s surprise resignation, effective November 1, will trigger a special election to finish out his term. That election date is expected to be called by Gov. Rick Perry soon.

Bentzin is a wealthy gadfly and Perry campaign donor who ran against Texas Sen. Gonzalo Barrientos in 2002 and lost in a vicious race notable for Bentzin’s lack of familiarity with the issues and willingness to spend big bucks on a relentless negative TV campaign.

Baxter took $35,000 in illegal corporate cash from Tom DeLay during his first legislative campaign in 2002. That contribution is still being examined by a Travis Co. grand jury.

Bentzin is a Dellionaire who supports taking money out of public education to fund private-school vouchers at a time when figuring out how to finance public education is the top issue facing the Legislature.