[link|http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/3977494.html|Houston Chronicle]

A fight between the state Democratic and Republican parties over replacing Tom DeLay on the November ballot has moved to federal court.

State Republicans filed papers Thursday to move from state to federal court a lawsuit filed last week by the Texas Democratic Party. The Democrats sued to block Republicans from picking a replacement for former U.S. Rep. Tom DeLay on the ballot for the 22nd Congressional District.

The Democrats are hoping to keep DeLay's name on the ballot against their nominee, Nick Lampson. Since DeLay is no longer eligible because he has moved out of the district, Republicans would be forced to write in a candidate.

The Republican's are trying to paint this is some sort of absurd attack, but their is nothing absurd about it. DeLay dug this hole and the Democrats are just (gleefully) enforcing the law.

From what I have seen, Texas election law is pretty clear. The only reason to withdraw from a race after the primary is health. That Delay moved out of the area on his own and can't win the election is the Republican's problem.

Jay