Ron Wilson is a "Democratic" Texas State Representative from Houston. He represents a Black plurality district that is overwhelmingly Democratic, but he along with one other "Democrat" State Rep. Vilma Luna (D-Corpus Christi) voted for the final version of the Tom DeLay redistricting plan which has already forced one Democratic Congressman (Jim Turner) to retire, and has seriously jeopardized the careers of six others (
Lloyd Doggett,
Chet Edwards,
Martin Frost,
Nick Lampson, Max Sandlin and
Charlie Stenholm). You can help defeat Ron Wilson by donating to his very well qualified (and progressive Democratic) opponent in Texas State Board of Education board member
Alma Allen. Go over to her site and learn more about her.
Ron Wilson has been in office for 27 years and it's time for him to go. Donate to Alma Allen today and add $.27 to let her know it's coming from the blogs.
So, you may ask yourself, why is this race so important nationally?
Ron Wilson worked with Tom DeLay to destroy the careers of these SEVEN great Democratic congressmen. No one who works with Tom DeLay or destroys the careers of multiple Democrats deserves to run under the Democratic Party banner. Ron Wilson has sold out the Democratic Party time and time again, and it's time we take him out. It's critical that we send a message to Democrats nationally that cooperating with Tom DeLay and Republicans on redistricting is COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE!
But redistricting is only the beginning with Ron Wilson. Not only did Ron Wilson sell out our Democratic Congressmen on redistricting, but his antics have constantly been an embarrassment to our party.
Take a look at this Houston Press article. Wilson has gone out of his way to attack good Democrats with low blow attacks. Consider these examples:
On Killer D Leader State Rep. Garnett Coleman (D-Houston):
After a turn on the witness stand two weeks ago in the Democratic lawsuit challenging the plan, Wilson attacked colleague Garnet Coleman for his history of manic depression. Many considered it a low blow, but that was just one more unstatesmanlike wisecrack in an ongoing torrent of invective by the Houston legislator.
[...]
Wilson opined that "I don't consider [Coleman] an African American."
After the deposition, he contended that Coleman "has placed the interest of party politics and his own economic welfare above the interests of African-Americans, the community I represent. He's seen fit to sing the piper's tune and to be Chris Bell's boy by betraying black people."
[Coleman is Black for the record.]
On State Sen. Rodney Ellis (D-Houston):
Wilson took a shot at state Senator Rodney Ellis of Houston, testifying that "he's got his head up his ass half the time." Just to help the court reporter, Wilson spelled it out: "A-S-S. Ass."
On Congresswoman Shelia Jackson Lee (D-Houston):
Even Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee came in for some verbal pummeling from Wilson after her court testimony against redistricting.
"She thinks she can spend all of her career just berating people, jumping on 'em and calling 'em out every chance she gets. And when they get ready to draw the lines, does she honestly think they're going to help her? I don't think so!"
Ron Wilson hasn't just been nuts recently, however. He has a long history of embarrassing behavior. The Houston Chronicle reported on this last month (my link is from FreeRepublic.com - I'm embarrassed to say - but it carries the full text of the now archived article):
State Rep. Ron Wilson's 27-year political career is notable for his willingness to take controversial stands.
· 1988: He excluded white reporters from two meetings he conducted on a $2.6 billion street improvement and monorail development proposal for Houston.
· 1990: Accused River Oaks Elementary School officials of racism and requested a series of racial statistics after his then-8-year-old son Erik was transferred to a new class and did not perform as well. A superintendent quickly ordered the boy returned to his original class, sparking concerns over political favoritism.
[...]
District 131 needs a change, and Alma Allen will give them one. She's extremely well qualified for the seat as you can read in her Biography. As Democrats, it's critical that we send a message to Ron Wilson and any other "Democrat" who thinks they can get away with voting for redistricting anywhere in the country, that it's unacceptable, and the Democratic grassroots won't tolerate it.
Again, Ron Wilson has been in office for 27 years and it's time for him to go. Donate to Alma Allen today and add $.27 to let her know it's coming from the blogs.
Thanks.