Challenge to Richie

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Roy LaVerne Brooks (foreground, in light blue jacket) is challenging incumbent party chairman Boyd Richie (standing behind her). (photos by Lee Nichols)

It's time for the Texas Democrats to select the chair, and a challenge has been filed to incumbent Boyd Richie: party vice chairwoman Roy LaVerne Brooks and attorney and 2006 unsuccessful attorney general candidate David Van Os. We'll keep you updated.

*** I just asked Brooks and Van Os why they are challenging the chairman under whom the Texas Dems have made substantial gains in the Legislature (and a takeover of the Congressional seat previously held by Tom DeLay).

Brooks would only say, "for a better Texas." Other than that, she said she was a bit too caught up in the moment to comment.

Van Os said, "My complaint is that once again they intend to project a defeatist attitude about carrying Texas. I want the Democratic Party to make up its mind that it is going to carry Texas for the presidential ticket and stop this incrementalism. I'm not satisfied with just winning a few targeted state House districts. It's time for the Democratic Party to campaign to carry this state and mean it."

UPDATE: It's hard to imagine Richie will be unseated after the gains made during his tenure, but Van Os actually got louder applause. Of course, he gives a more rousing speech. As for Brooks, she's a woman of few words. Her speech probably used less than a minute of her alloted 10. Richie's supporters chose to be more visual in their show of support, forming a conga line of sorts as they carried signs through the floor. (See photo gallery.)

They're about to caucus by Senate district on the race.

Prediction: Van Os is going to finish behind Jennifer Gale.

Final result:
Boyd Richie: 63.24%
Roy LaVerne Brooks: 16.83%
David van Os: 19.93%