SPINELESS: No GOP Candidate In HD 97 Will Truly Distance Themselves From Tom Craddick

Evidently the 2006 election cycle and the 80th Legislative Session still hasn’t taught Republicans that, when it comes to Tom Craddick, ‘distance’ might be the best campaign strategy.

Certainly, nobody told HD 97 candidate Craig Goldman, who is one of a passel of folks vying to replace retired State Rep. Anna Mowery:

Big names showed up — State Senator Kyle Janek, State Senator Florence Shapiro (who introduced him) and House Speaker Tom Craddick. Goldman has already pledged support to Craddick. While it sounds like Craddick didn’t make any formal statements to the group, his showing up says a lot on its own.

Clearly, Craddick has already picked his million-dollar baby, and it’s Goldman. Of course, Craddick is only reciporcating all the love Goldman’s shown him:

“I met with the speaker and I told him when I’m elected I will be supporting him.”

Interestingly, he’s not the only one. Nobody in the HD 97 race, save Democrat Dan Barrett, is firmly anti-Craddick:

Craig Goldman, Republican: “I met with the speaker and I told him when I’m elected I will be supporting him.”

Jeff Humber, Republican: First candidate to pledge loyalty to Craddick.

Chris Hatch, Republican: “At this point in time, I don’t know that answer yet.”

Bob Leonard, Republican: “If the election were held today, he’d probably get my vote but I can’t promise that.”

James Schull, Republican: Would “probably” support Craddick. “I think it would probably be prudent to wait until you’re in there.”

Mark Shelton, Republican: Likes Craddick but says, “I’m waiting to see.”

Dan Barrett, Democrat: Opposes Craddick. “Whenever you got someone trying to rule with an iron fist like that, frankly it makes people mad.”

This is just nauseating. Simply nauseating. Not one Republican in this district will stand up and say that they out and out refuse to support Tom Craddick’s dictatorial rule of the Texas House of Representatives. Not one of these candidates has a spine, evidently.

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