It's on!

Even the most hard core Democrat must admit that Nick Lampson's victory in last year's race for the Texas 22nd congressional district was a fluke. Tom DeLay though he could manipulate the race by placing a chosen successor on the ballot (not so said the courts--an example of a judicial check on legislative power). So Lampson ran against fill in the blank, and won.

Good for him.

The problem is that he only barely won and small majority of the residents of the district call themselves Republican. No surprise then that Lampson is a target (#1 according to Karl Rove) and a large group of Republicans are lining up to challenge him. First of course they have to fight each other to become the party's nominee.

The Chron lists the following as likely candidates:

- Robert Talton
- Dean Hrbacek
- Pete Olson
- Charlie Howard
- John Zerwas
- Larry Taylor
- and of course: Shelley Sekula-Gibbs

Most are currently serving in the Texas Legislature and are obviously looking for career advancement. Olson doesn't have much of a web presence, but has worked for John Cornym and Phil Gramm so he is well connected.

The Chron tells us that Lampson is--very predictably--relying on his skills as a veteran pork producer to persuade the voters that they should keep him in office. Not a bad point if Democrats retain the majority in 2008. Early betting predicts they will, but who knows how things may turn?

I stumbled across this blog that covers the 22nd district from a Democrat's perspective. I'll hunt down more--join in the search if you can.