GOP Backs Write-In for DeLay Seat
Republicans agreed Thursday to support a Houston city councilwoman as the write-in candidate on the November ballot in place of former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, who resigned from Congress in June.
The Texas Republican Party decided it should rally behind one write-in candidate after a federal appeals court ruled DeLay, who won the March Republican primary election, must remain on the ballot.
Tina Benkiser, the state GOP party chairwoman, said Dr. Shelley Sekula-Gibbs was selected by a clear majority of the precinct chairs who attended a gathering in Pearland. About 85 of the 150 precinct chairs invited to the closed-door meeting attended.
“I’m honored to have received this support,” Sekula-Gibbs said.
In addition to Sekula-Gibbs, write-in candidates vying for the GOP’s support included David Wallace, mayor of Sugar Land, and Houston businessman Tim Turner. Wallace has already filed as a write-in candidate.
Democrat Nick Lampson has been running for the seat while Republicans fought the ballot issue in court. Libertarian Bob Smither also is running.
DeLay also spoke to the group about the direction of the district, those who attended said.
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