| A poll conducted by the campaign of Republican Shelley Sekula-Gibbs shows she is the leader of the Congressional District 22 race by more than 10 percentage points, she said on Tuesday.
Several Democrats have disputed the validity of the poll, labeling it a "push" poll designed to influence the outcome. Nevertheless, Sekula-Gibbs, who appeared at the grand opening of the Republican Party headquarters in New Territory on Tuesday, announced the poll's results to applause from about 50 attendees.
Sekula-Gibbs, who by circumstance seeks the 2006 term as a write-in candidate, referred to her Democratic opponent, Nick Lampson, as "you-know-who."
Tom DeLay in March won the Republican nomination for Congressional District 22, but he withdrew his name in August and left the party without a candidate.
Lampson now enjoys the most funding of candidates in District 22. Sekula-Gibbs, however, faces the challenge of persuading voters to write her name into the electronic ballot.
Lampson has been considered the front-runner since DeLay's withdrawal, but Sekula-Gibbs on Tuesday announced as "good news" the fact that the New York Times has called the district a "toss-up."
"He may be high on money, but he's low on conservative values," said Sekula-Gibbs on Lampson.
A number of other candidates for positions on the Fort Bend County ballot appeared Tuesday. Fort Bend County Republican Party Chairman Gary Gillen said the headquarters, located at a shopping center close to Ellis Creek Boulevard on U.S. 90A, will have resources for candidates and will also be a place for individuals to sign up to volunteer and to acquire campaign materials.
"So much concentration has been faced by the 22nd Congressional district, which is important, but we also have candidates for courts, and state representative seats and a lot of other races," he said.
Since the 1994 election, Republicans have won elections for every county-wide office. Democrats this year point to the low approval ratings for President Bush and Gov. Rick Perry, as well as legal troubles looming over DeLay as signs the Democrats could win this year.
"I don't see that," said Gillen. "Remember, two years ago, people said the President's numbers were low and he won. We're going through a very painful time in the history of this country - we're at war. And I think what you're seeing is the Republican Party rallying around candidates and reelecting them," said Gillen.
Jeff Council, the Republican candidate for the open Fort Bend County Treasurer seat, said he looks to run a positive campaign. Democrat Neeta Sane also seeks the office.
"We'll get our campaign going full swing now through the election, and we'll be emphasizing the fact that we need a good business person to run the county treasurer's office," Council said.
Brady Elliott, the incumbent candidate for the 268th District Court, seeks election against Democrat Albert Hollan.
Other contested candidates at the event Tuesday included District Clerk candidate Rebecca Annie Elliott, who is running against Democrat Veronica Torres, and Justice of the Peace Precinct 3 candidate Ken Cannata, who is being challenged by Farhan Shamsi of Katy.
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