TX CD 18: Jackson Lee Opponent Claims Congressional District Was ‘Rezoned’ Since ‘06 Election
By Vince Leibowitz on Jul 18, 2007 in 2008 Texas Elections
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee has drawn an opponent–Republican TJ Baker Holm.
And, evidently Ms. Baker Holm is a bit confused about the way Congressional districts are apportioned:
Bennett: If you are a Republican with a Democratic heart, why should Democrats in the 18th vote for you? They already have a Democrat and one would assume Jackson-Lee’s heart is also Democratic.
Baker Holm: District 18 has been rezoned since last year. It’s no longer that stereotypical poor, Black Democratic area. District 18 is now a conservative Democrat area/Republican. Because of being re-zoned we need a new leader because Sheila is more or less a straight Democrat. [Emphasis Added]
Number one, there was no magic “rezoning.” Number two, since it hasn’t rezoned, did she not just piss up the leg of her would-be constituents?
And, check out these qualifications:
Bennett: But why are you that leader? Why are you qualified to be a U.S. Congresswoman?
Baker Holm: The main requirement of a congressperson is to be 25 years of age. I’ll be 40 later on this year. And to also be a U.S. citizen. It’s not even required that you have a high school diploma. I will be a leader like Martin Luther King or Farrakhan. That’s what we need.
And, for some reason, I have some serious doubts that Houston sacred pol Craig Johnson actually said what he’s attributed to have told Baker Holm:
Baker Holm: Yes. Because, I asked Craig Washington who is one of my mentors this question: should I run as a Democrat or as a Republican? And he told me ‘it doesn’t matter what train you ride in on, as long as you get there. Because you are from District 18, your heart and mind will help you to be an effective leader.”
This could be quite a fun (and, I’ll bet, mud-slinging) race.
She may be a Republican with a Democratic heart, but what really matters is what comes from the gut. Is her gut Republican or Democratic?
TJ seems like a nice woman - a bit delusional perhaps, but certainly someone who could volunteer in her community and get some good things done - just not in a leadership role.
Very interesting that Craig Washington is advising her. Sheila was able to knock him out of the Mickey Leland/ Barbara Jordan seat because in some ways, he was an embarassment to his constituents. Sheila Jackson Lee could have the same problem. I was a poll judge the night Washington lost, and at my precinct, I had never seen so many schoolteachers. That’s the only time I had to stand in line to mark when the polls closed, we were still voting people at 7:30 PM.
brad:
Do you really think Craig Washington is advising her, or that she just talked to him and let things be taken out of context?
-beats me, I hadn’t heard anything about him for years untill he showed up defending Tyron Williams, the driver who left 74 immigrants locked in the trailer in Victoria. -I just saw something new to me; Wiki says that it was Ken Lay that set up Sheila to run against Craig back in ‘94. At least she seems to be biting the hands that fed her.
Capital Annex, leave Lady Tj Baker Holm alone. Yes your Web Blog Job is too make fun of some candidates and incompetent elected officials.
But Lady Tj Baker Holm is totally different. A sweet and tough Congresswoman she will be in office. She’s real, not fake.
Lady Tj is the new voice for single mothers in District 18.
Lady Tj is the new voice for young entrepreneurs and old.
Lady Tj has respect for elderliness’ and will fight for them so that they can age with more easiness. When you’re old, you don’t suppose to make a choice between your medical prescription or your house lights. That’s crazy.
Lady Tj’s family has served in different military branches. She has one cousin who is a Seaman right now, he’s in the Navy. So she has passion about veteran’s issues. That is why her son is in Boy Scout, teaching him to love and respect his country.
Give Lady Tj Baker Holm a break. Becoming a Congressperson is only a two year job. Meaning you have one year to work and the second year, of going back out and campaign again. I have no doubt, that she will do a wonderful job.
On this past Thursday - July 26, 2007. Lady Tj was on the KCOH-1430 AM radio with Michael Harris. She spoke on some of her trials and tribulations about her not having a car for awhile during this summer break and how she rode the Metro bus and Metro rail to work and was not hiding nor embarrassed about it. Being a divorcee and three tumor operations; made lady Tj credit score lower.
Yet she finally found a dealership in District 18. Discount Auto Sales and Finance gave her a second chance, in spite of her challenging credit.
Lady Tj went on and said that she didn’t want a (Show Off) vehicle. Just a good dependable vehicle, so that she can continue, to go to work and etc. Since her Teaching job is way out in FBISD - Fort Bend ISD. Almost 10 years in total.
That’s when Michael Harris validated on the air waves - that Lady Tj’s trials and tribulations’ will help her to connect more in District 18 in this upcoming 2008 election. Since more than 1/2 of District 18 are single mothers. Especially in the 3rd Ward, 5th Ward and Acres Home area. And to top it off, he called Lady Tj Baker Holm his friend.
So this race should not be about Lady Tj being a Republican with a compassionate heart. Or in your opinion that she don’t have enough experience.
The District 18 race, should be about who can associate better with constituents. That’s how connections are formed, that’s how you can get bills passed, for your district and not just trying to be a 1 woman show, like Jackson-Lee.
See Lady Tj did indeed grow up in District 18. This makes her passion for District 18 very much real. Lady Tj didn’t move to District 18 as a grown married 30 something year old woman, already with children like Jackson-Lee had.
Remember if Congressman Mickey Leland didn’t die in that plane crash. Jackson-Lee would have never got in from the beginning.
2008 District 18 will have a new Congresswoman. Congresswoman Tj Baker Holm. From District 18 whose from District 18. Now that’s a nice change.
Signing off; an ordinary white guy,
Kirk Spano