Thread: Anti-immigration reform group targets Jackson Lee, 2 other T

Anti-immigration reform group targets Jackson Lee, 2 other Texas Democrats

August 30, 2010

Houston Chronicle

A national group that opposes comprehensive immigration reform endorsed 21 federal candidates this week, including three long-shot challengers seeking congressional office in Texas.

Americans for Legal Immigration Political Action Committee, or ALIPAC, said they unveiled their endorsements in races where there is a clear decision for voters between immigration law enforcement and amnesty.

"We are looking for candidates who want our existing border and immigration laws enforced instead of comprehensive immigration reform amnesty that would make millions of illegal new voters and thus destroy the borders in America," said William Gheen, ALIPAC president.

ALIPAC endorsed three candidates in Texas challenging incumbents who favor immigration reform. In each case, the challenger is Republican.

But those challengers face daunting odds running in congressional districts that have an overwhelming number of Democratic registered voters.

Seguin contractor Bryan Underwood was endorsed in the 28th congressional district. He faces Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, who is seeking re-election and a fourth term.

Underwood said the endorsement would give his campaign a boost in a district where illegal immigration "is a huge issue, because it ties into every other issue. It ties into health care costs, housing, taxes."

Cuellar disagreed. He said that while immigration is a concern, it would not be a major issue in the race.

"The issue is the economy and jobs," Cuellar said.

ALIPAC also endorsed Dr. Donna Campbell of Columbus, who is challenging Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, and retired accountant John Faulk, who is challenging Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston.

All three races are rated as "Strong Democrat" by the non-partisan Cook Political Report, which analyzes House congressional contests.

By contrast, the Cook Political Report rates the 23rd congressional district race between Rep. Ciro Rodriguez, D-San Antonio, and banker Francisco Canseco as competitive, but leaning Democrat.

The race between Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Waco, and Bill Flores in the 17th congressional district is rating a toss up by the Cook Political Report.

ALIPAC has sought to make immigration reform a major issue in the upcoming elections, and their endorsement is a lobbying tool to gain commitment from candidates seeking office.

So far the result has been mixed.

The group endorsed former Rep. J.D. Hayworth over Sen. John McCain in the Arizona Republican primary.

Although Hayworth was trounced in the race, McCain was forced to reverse his previous position of favoring immigration reform and become hawkish on border security measures.

RODRIGUEZ-CANSECO RACE TIGHTENING

Republicans and Democrats say the race between Rodriguez and Canseco is tightening.

A Republican poll released by Canseco this week shows him with a lead over Rodriguez by 6 percentage points. The survey's margin of error is plus or minus 4.9 percentage points.

Democrats said an earlier poll also showed the race within the margin of error.
Independent handicappers in Washington say the race could be a "toss up" by Election Day.

National polls show voter unease about the economy, giving Republicans an edge going into the mid-term elections.

Democrats hold a financial edge. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has nearly twice the money to defend vulnerable seats than the National Republican Campaign Committee, $33.8 million to $17 million.


http://blogs.chron.com/txpotomac/2010/0 ... Potomac%29

getting the news out and newspapers picking up the story, this is great

Great article, William and that's a major newspaper in the heart of illegal alien nation. Good Job!!

I noticed they're still clinging to that erroneous label "anti-immigrant group" aren't they?