Texas Supremes reject Rodriguez

I suppose one has to give Rep. Ciro Rodriguez credit for persistence in the face of continued rejection.

In a move expected by many legal and political observers, the Texas Supreme Court declined to hear an appeal filed by U.S. Rep. Ciro Rodriguez in an attempt to resuscitate his Congressional District 28 re-election bid.

Citing a lack of jurisdiction, the state's highest court issued a one-line order dismissing the case.

The decision — the third legal defeat for Rodriguez — effectively ends his protracted legal battle against Democratic opponent Henry Cuellar of Laredo, who has stood as the party's nominee since a recount after the March 9 primary.

Rodriguez's attorney, Les Mendelsohn of San Antonio, however, said he still believes the court has authority to hear the case and is considering asking the nine-member body to reconsider its decision with additional documentation to support his claim.

"I don't know if it will make a difference to the court, but we may refile it because we think we're right," he said.

I would have preferred for Rodriguez to win, and I think that given more time he might well have been able to prove there was some funny business going on, but it's time to concede defeat and contemplate what comes next. I suspect we'll hear more from Ciro Rodriguez in the future, but whatever happens I wish him well, and I hope Henry Cuellar does as good a job in Washington as he did.

Posted by Charles Kuffner on August 05, 2004 to Election 2004 | TrackBack