CD 4 ‘08: Hall Gets First Opponent

Congressman Ralph Hall (R-Rockwall) has earned his first primary opponent this week in the form of former Frisco Mayor Kathy Seei:

“Today I ask you to stand with me as I announce my call to service to run for the U.S. Congress in the Fourth District of Texas,” she said.

Seei began her announcement by recounting how she “has been blessed with incredible opportunities to lead” in her life. With an audience of more than 180 supporters and dignitaries from District 4, she explained that “moving into key leadership positions, in the face of obstacles, change, and even chaos, has been a calling I’ve been willing to listen to in the past. I believe it’s a calling for me still today.”

According to a press release from her campaign committee, she is credited for successfully leading the City of Frisco through years of back-to-back triple digit growth from 1996 through 2002. During her two terms as Mayor, the city of Frisco drafted and enacted the first ordinance in the country that required all new residential developments to meet “green building” standards. As mayor of the second-fastest growing community in the country, Seei “recognized the need to run the city as a business, building strong partnerships with citizens, public officials, and private industry,” according to the statement.

All of that is interesting and well and good and…whatever. The big question, however, is whether or not Hall will seek another term. Given that the GOP, to which he switched in 2004 following the mid-decade redistricting scheme, isn’t in power, he’s at best a sideline player in the House in spite of the fact that he’s the body’s oldest member. There has been rampant speculation that Hall won’t seek another term. For one thing, in cycles where he has sought re-election, he’s usually managed to leak that or let it slip at some point before now. So, his silence could be a sign.

If Hall were to seek another term, Seei might as well hang it up. For some reason, Hall is to voters in that district like sugar water is to flies: they just seem to flock to it, no matter what alternatives are laying around. Plus, he’ll have the backing of the national party, etc.

If Hall doesn’t run, Seei might have an OK chance, but it depends upon who else runs. Since Hall has held the seat since God was a boy, there are Republicans who will be crawling out of the woodwork to claim the nomination.

One downside is that if Hall doesn’t run, the seat becomes more difficult for the right Democratic candidate to win. Though the district is very, very, red, Hall’s innumerable faux paus and entertaining statements make him a good target for the opposition.