Friends, I take no pride in this. I bow my head and shiver.
Texas Governor Perry is looking to push out the current Texas Secretary of State, Geoff Connor (a republican lawyer) and in his place install Roger Williams, a Weatherford car dealer (...and Bush-Cheney Super Ranger).
That's right, Texas will have a car dealership man running its elections in the near future.
C'mon down and vote, vote, vote!
(the story - registration required)
http://www.statesman.com/metrostate/content/auto/epaper/editions/friday/metro_state_1449e6b92464d01f
0070.html
(and the car dealership)
http://www.rogerwilliams.com/index.asp
Roger Williams top Bush fund-raiser, family friend
By Laylan Copelin
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Friday, November 12, 2004
Gov. Rick Perry is talking to President Bush's fund-raiser and family friend Roger Williams, a Weatherford car dealer, about accepting the job of secretary of state, according to two sources with knowledge of the discussions.
Williams is designated as a Bush-Cheney Super Ranger, a six-figure fund-raiser who also traveled several days a week organizing volunteers in the battleground states this year. He also was a national delegate to the Republican National Committee and has spent time with Bush at his Crawford ranch and the family estate in Kenne- bunkport, Maine.
There's no word on plans for Secretary of State Geoffrey Connor, who has held the post since August 2003.
Perry has not formally offered the job to Williams because Connor has not resigned.
Connor could not be reached for comment, and Williams did not return phone calls Thursday night. The governor's office declined to comment.
The secretary of state oversees the state's elections and border issues, but governors sometimes give that official prominent roles in other public policy arenas.
Williams also has been mentioned as a possibility for a job in the Bush administration, but he reportedly prefers the secretary of state's job because it would allow him to help promote economic development in Texas.
He also has considered a career in politics, sources said.
Williams, 55, grew up in Fort Worth and is a former minor-league professional baseball player in the Atlanta Braves organization.
A former baseball coach at his alma mater, Texas Christian University, Williams is in the TCU Athletic Hall of Fame.
He is the owner of Roger Williams Chrysler Dodge Jeep in Weatherford, near Fort Worth. He is married and has two daughters.
He has been a Bush supporter since Bush first ran for governor in 1994. He was co-chairman of the Texas Inaugural Ball for Bush in 2001.
lcopelin@statesman.com; 445-3617
