Some yahoo is claiming that Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee missed the deadline to file for the Democratic primary in January and is thus ineligible to be on the ballot in November.
In a lawsuit filed this week, Houston businessman Tom Bazan alleges that Jackson Lee did not file in time for the March 9 Democratic primary and thus is not eligible for the Nov. 2 general election.Jackson Lee, who represents the 18th Congressional District, denied missing the deadline.
"I physically went over there (to file)," she said Friday. "I take filing very seriously; I do it myself. There's absolutely no question that it was timely."
Jackson Lee's primary election application is dated Jan. 13, three days before the deadline.
Bazan, 50, said he has information suggesting the filing was not completed on time. He said the information will be disclosed through the legal process.
"I have copies of other documentation that leads me to believe the transaction didn't occur on Jan. 13," he said.
The law endorsing congressional redistricting extended the filing deadline to Jan. 16.
The original filing period for the primary was Dec. 3 through Jan. 2. Congressional candidates were allowed to file between Jan. 11 and 16 because of the redistricting plan, said Jennifer Waisath, spokeswoman for the Texas secretary of state's office.
Jackson Lee filed on time, said Gerry Birnberg, chairman of the Harris County Democratic Party, which accepts candidate filings.
Birnberg said he watched her fill out and sign the application three days before the deadline.
"There's just absolutely no problem," he said.
Would you think it was "some yahoo" making a "stupid claim" if it were Tom DeLay instead?
I admit I'd probably find another descriptive term, but I'd feel approximately the same way about the likely merits of the claim. Especially six months after the fact.
Posted by: Charles Kuffner on July 17, 2004 12:15 PMI'm a Houstonian, unfortunately in Culberson's district and I know that Sheila Jackson Lee is the best. If this assinine challenge proceeds, I'll do what I can to help.
Posted by: Lyn on July 17, 2004 12:29 PMmaybe she was in Neverland
Posted by: Banjo Jones on July 17, 2004 7:32 PMAny idea of who "Houston Businessman Tom Bazan" is?
Posted by: Michael on July 17, 2004 9:50 PMTom Bazan is not a yahoo. He may come across as a little flaky, but he's an articulate guy who has some strong views about the area that he promotes passionately (I'm on his political email list, and it's often a good source of information). He seems convinced SJL didn't meet her deadlines. If she didn't, stupid SJL. You should be calling her the yahoo, not the candidate who's trying to unseat her (however impossible that effort may be).
I'm sure if Richard Morrison had pointed this out about one of your most disliked politicians, he wouldn't be a yahoo, right? :)
Posted by: kevin whited on July 18, 2004 9:33 AMWell, if I thought this were the only way Morrison could beat DeLay, I surely wouldn't take him seriously. And let's be honest here - the only way Tom Bazan is beating SJL is if she's not on the ballot.
If it turns out that Bazan's charge has merit, then yes, that's exceedingly stupid of SJL. I seriously doubt she's that stupid, and as I said before, I doubt that it would've taken six months to find this out.
Posted by: Charles Kuffner on July 18, 2004 1:28 PMBazan, 50, said he has information suggesting the filing was not completed on time. He said the information will be disclosed through the legal process."I have copies of other documentation that leads me to believe the transaction didn't occur on Jan. 13," he said.
Hmm...does this sound vaguely familiar to anyone?
ONE DAY after the Sept. 11 Commission said that there was "no collaborative relationship" between Iraq and Al Qaeda, Vice President Cheney reasserted on CNBC, "There clearly was a relationship. It's been testified to. The evidence is overwhelming."CNBC's Gloria Borger asked Cheney, "Do you know some things that the commission does not know?"
Cheney said, "Probably . . . There are reams of material here. Your show isn't long enough for me to read all the pieces of it."
Bazan's claim of "evidence" that he's conveniently unwilling to share is no more convincing than Cheney's. If I were SJL's lawyer, I'd ask the court to sanction him for filing a frivolous suit.
Posted by: Mathwiz on July 20, 2004 3:05 PMShelia Jackson Lee needs to be removed from congress. She is not the best. She is not in line with Texas views. Oust her now!
Posted by: James on July 25, 2004 7:28 PMTo Mathwiz-- The Sept. 11 commission did not state that "there was no collaborative relationship between Iraq an Al Qaeda." They said that "there was no collaborative relationship between September 11 and Iraq." There WAS however, collaborative efforts between the two, just not for September 11.
It's sad that personal hatred of George W. is so great that people are willing to risk the security of their country by considering "yahoo" John F. Kerry. He has yet to present an original idea for improving national security. His idea of security is playing bridge with the highly corrupt Jacques Chirac and cutting our weapons systems development. John Kerry's leadership will result in my men coming home in boxes. Under Bush, deaths are below 1000, Under Kerry deaths would be triple.
- 2LT Brian Dear, Fort Leonard Wood, MO.