Pete McCloskey, a former Congressman from California, was in town this weekend to scope out a primary challenge to Tom DeLay.
He met Sunday with Michael Fjetland, who was defeated by DeLay in Republican primaries in 2000 and 2002 and as an independent in the 2004 general election.McCloskey is one of nine former congressmen who have formed an informal group he called the "revolt of the elders," to oppose congressmen who they think are guilty of ethics violations.
"Nobody can come into a Texas district and tell the voters who to support," McCloskey said.
But, he added, that just as DeLay raises money from outside the district, his opponents in the next election will also probably get national support.
Fjetland, 55, a lawyer from Missouri City, said he is forming a committee to see if he can gather enough support to take on DeLay in the primary.
He will decide in a couple of months if he will run, Fjetland said.
"If DeLay is ever going to be defeated, this will be the time for it," Fjetland said.
"The people in the 22nd District are tired of his arrogance," he said.