While House Democrats watch to see if that chamber flips, it’s not hard to imagine there’s another group keeping an eye on things: the Republican incumbents who opposed Speaker Tom Craddick and were then purged during their party’s primaries. Take Rep. Pat Haggerty, R-El Paso, who led the quorum-busting Craddick-baiting walkout during the closing hours of the last session and was defeated in a well-funded primary challenge by Dee Margo.
Any surprise that he suffered such savage retribution? “After my speech last session, it was a foregone conclusion, I’m afraid,” he said. As for whether there will be enough votes to end Craddick’s speakership, he added, “It depends on the election in November and depends on how many Democrats can be won over.”
Margo sits on a $195,189 war chest, including $40,000 from GOP sugar daddy Bob Perry, the Houston home builder and Swift boat financier; $25,000 from Craddick’s Stars over Texas PAC; and $10,000 each from Texans for Lawsuit Reform and Texans for Rick Perry. His Democratic opponent, Joe Moody, has $103,111 cash on hand, which includes $40,000 from the Blue Texas PAC and $10,000 from Don Henley. Yes, the Don Henley – lately of California but born in Gilmer, Texas – who under “Principal occupation” writes, “Founding Member of the Eagles.”
This article appears in October 17 • 2008.
