Reply #5: Republicans straw poll to pick favored write-in [View All]

[Melissa G]

Republicans straw poll to pick favored write-in

SUZANNE GAMBOA
Associated Press
WASHINGTON - With former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay officially out, Republicans are moving on to decide who'll they'll back as a write-in candidate for his House seat this fall.

snip
The decision follows a meeting last week by four county party chairmen with Benkiser. Fort Bend Now, an online newspaper in DeLay's home county, reported DeLay also attended the meeting.
Benkiser said the straw poll by precinct chairs will ensure that the write-in candidate is selected by local, grassroots officials, not state party officials.

Sugar Land Mayor David Wallace has filed to be a write-in candidate in the district and Houston City Councilwoman Shelley Sekula-Gibbs has said she wants to be the Republicans' chosen write-in candidate. Benkiser said Paul Bettencourt, Harris County's tax assessor-collector and Houston businessman Tim Turner also have said they are interested.

snip
Anyone who meets eligibility requirements can file as a write-in candidate, but only one will get backing from the party. The district is served by the expensive Houston area media market and party money can help with those costs.

http://www.dfw.com/mld/startelegram/news/state/15273309.htm