By KERA News & Wire Services
Dallas, TX – An East Texas Republican has withdrawn his support for Texas House Speaker Joe Straus, saying that Straus allies have been threatening to use redistricting to punish his political adversaries.
Rep. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, is one of 76 Republicans on a list of supporters Straus released last week, saying he had enough pledges of support to be elected to another term as speaker.
But in a statement Wednesday, Hughes said he wouldn't support Straus for another term because of threats of retribution by "a member of Speaker Straus's leadership team." Hughes said the conversation "saddened and then disgusted" him.
Straus is a moderate San Antonio Republican being challenged by Rep. Warren Chisum, a more conservative Republican from Pampa who has spearheaded a movement to pressure conservatives into opposing Straus.
Ortiz forced to revise ballot re-count petition
U.S. Rep. Solomon Ortiz plans to file a revised ballot re-count petition after the state rejected his original request.
Ortiz spokesman Jose Borjon said Wednesday the Texas secretary of state's office sent back the application because the Democrat only asked for a re-count in three Nueces County precincts. The state requires all precincts to be included in the re-count.
Unofficial returns show Ortiz trails Republican challenger Blake Farenthold by 799 votes after last week's election. The Corpus Christi Democrat is in danger of losing the South Texas congressional seat he's held since 1982.
Borjon said a new request will be submitted this week. The expanded re-count will now cost the campaign $23,500.
DeLay interview with prosecutors played for jury
Jurors in Tom DeLay's money laundering trial in Austin are hearing a taped interview the ex-U.S. House majority leader gave to prosecutors.
In the interview, DeLay said he knew beforehand about a money swap that authorities allege was part of a scheme to illegally funnel corporate donations to Texas GOP candidates in 2002.
DeLay has said he misspoke during the August 2005 interview and didn't know about the transaction until much later. In the interview played for jurors on Wednesday, DeLay repeatedly said the money swap was legal, common practice and done by both Republicans and Democrats.
DeLay is charged with money laundering and conspiracy to commit money laundering and faces up to life in prison if convicted. He has denied any wrongdoing.