Democrats are calling for Rep. Frank Corte, R-San Antonio, to be declared ineligible to defend his seat because he no longer lives in his own House District. The address on Corte’s election filing is an empty lot. Corte had lived on that site for 22 years, but the House Republican Caucus chair moved his house from House District 122 to his current address in HD 116. Corte’s staff said he intends to build a new house on the old site, so his filing is still legal. Democrats claim his move made him a constituent of Rep. Trey Martin­ez Fischer, D-San Antonio, who said, “I want to be the first to welcome Frank to House District 116.” He offered to help Corte fill out all the necessary change-of-address paperwork. If Corte fights off this legal challenge, he still faces Democrat Frances Carnot and Libertarian Sally Baynton in November.

This article appears in August 29 • 2008.

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The Chronicle's first Culture Desk editor, Richard has reported on Austin's growing film production and appreciation scene for over a decade. A graduate of the universities of York, Stirling, and UT-Austin, a Rotten Tomatoes certified critic, and eight-time Best of Austin winner, he's currently at work on two books and a play.