Sheila's Job: She's still got it, but others want it.

First, let’s be very clear: Sheila Jackson Lee is still in Congress, and she's staying.  At least that’s what everyone around her is saying. It’s also what she told us on camera, in person, just before she flew to D.C. on Monday afternoon. “I am happily serving in the 18th congressional district,” she told us. “I have no knowledge of doing anything other than serving and running for re election in 2010.”

However, there is so much smoke around the rumor that she is possibly going to take an “Under-Secretary” of something in the State Department that our Political Consultant, Dr. Richard Murray, even see some smoldering embers. He said there could even be fire!

But, no fire yet. Unless you count the amount of flames spewing out from the furious Blackberry exchanges from potential candidates.

So, let’s run them down. (Assuming Jackson Lee leaves, of course!)

The most prominent of the bunch is State Rep. Sylvester Turner. He’s interested, his District is in Jackson-Lee’s district, and he’s got great name Identification. Reached in Austin today, Turner mainly laughed on camera and said “Sheila-Jackson Lee is the Congresswoman of the 18th Congressional district, if she leaves, let's talk again.”

Turner’s potential run will of course, also hinge on when a Special Election would be held. He might want to stay in Austin and you know, push through lots of fine legislation. However, it’s hard to imagine that he wouldn’t take a swing if the opportunity is there.

If Turner runs, there is the question whether Ronald Green would jump in. Currently an At Large Council Member, Green is running for Controller. Unless there is an open, special election Congressional seat. It’d be hard for Green to run if his former law school professor (Turner) decided to jump in. “Certainly with an open seat, I'd have to consider it,” Green told me earlier today. “I think right now, it's a great time to be involved in federal politics, and that’s what makes it attractive to people.”

Besides Turner, Green will have to fight at least two other members of City Council. Jarvis Johnson has made no secret of his desire for hire office, and neither has Jolanda Jones. “I think anyone who's committed to public service, should look at it,” Jones told me at City Hall. She also admits, an open seat is an extremely rare opportunity. “I think history shows when people get there, they pretty much stay there until they decide they don’t want it anymore.”

For the record, one of Jackson Lee’s most vocal critics during last year’s election, Breakfast Klub owner Marcus Davis, is not running. However, he sure likes the idea of Jackson Lee going somewhere else. “If it happens then it would be good for District 18, because there is opportunity for fresh leadership and fresh ideas,” said Davis. He also said he’s going to support a potential candidate, but wouldn’t name that person specifically.

Former Deputy Chief of Staff for Mayor Bill White and current CenterPoint lobbying man Terence Fontaine is also in the mix. Local attorney Marlon Whitley has also expressed interest in the past.

Dr. Murray says a special election for the seat would bring special problems. Candidates would have to raise a lot of money, and really quickly. Therefore, those with already a district wide base of support would do the best. Still, that won’t stop what could be a 10 name field if Jackson Lee does decide to step down.

Comments

[PixieGirl]

What about Senator Ellis? Is he not interested, as he would be a shoo-in!

[Larissa Lindsay]

In addition to Ellis, Ada Edwards and Garnet Coleman have good name recognition in the district and could be viable candidates.

[Terence Williams]

Why is eveyone talking about African Americans only? The district includes a 40% Latino population and all of your news reports exclude Hispanics, Asians and Whites. Why is that? They too can represent an African American community just as good as they have been represented by Sheila Jackson Lee.

[John Faulk]

Can a Republican get in the race? I did get more votes than anyone else that has run against SJL in recent history.
John Faulk

[outoftowner]

Jarvis Johnson has made no secret of his interest and he already has the base.

[RRR]

THREE things God CANNOT do.
http://whatgodcannotdo.homestead.com

[Texgrl]

Please help us get the word out about a Letter Campaign(http://peace4missing.ning.com/group/fayealineself )scheduled for 3/30/09. The number of missing & murdered women in the state of Louisiana is staggering. Please draft a letter, note or paragraph, such as the following and either forward it to whokilledthem@yahoo.com, or contact any of the agencies in the link below. I am also including the letter I drafted for my mom since she is just one of many forgotten ladies in Louisiana. I may be reached at texgrl1972@yahoo.com with any questions or concerns.

Thank you ahead of time for your help!

Karrie
Daughter of Aline Self
10/18/1956-3/30/83 missing

Dear Sir or Lady,
 
I am a concerned citizen of the state of Texas . I have been watching the cases of Aline Self and Wanda Hudson closely for some years now, and I grow more alarmed at every fact that is revealed. There has been very serious problems with the investigation itself and without help from the highest authorities these cases may never be solved. Why has Robert Charles Browne not been charged with any of these murders? How many unsolved murders are there in all in Red River Parish? The public deserve answers.
 
Please help these victims receive the justice they deserve. Please help find the remains of Aline Self and the rest of Katherine Hayes. Please do whatever it takes to bring their killer, or killers, to justice.
 
Thank You,

Houston, Texas

CONTACT INFO: below

http://peace4missing.ning.com/profiles/blogs/louisiana-government-contact

March 30, 2009
Dear Mr. Sir or Ma’am,
I am writing you concerning the cases of Faye Aline Self, Wanda Faye Hudson, Katherine Hays and many others. Faye Self, was my mother and she disappeared seemingly without a trace from Red River Parish, Louisiana on March 30, 1983.
I first learned the name Lycrecia Foster from the witness statement,tahat was mailed to me by Major of Detective Larry Rhodes of the Red River Parish Sheriff's Department in 1993-94. At the time of her original statement Ms. Foster says she my mom and two white males, one possibly named "Daniel", were at the Wagon Wheel Bar. According to her statement, she stayed with the one named "Daniel" and mom left with the other male around 11:00 p.m. The were driving a white 1968-69 Chevy pick up truck. After locating Ms. Foster, now Ms. Lycrecia Vernon on December 29, 2006, she states my mom left with "Daniel".I am sending a copy of email of our conversation I sent to Louisiana State Trooper Michael D. Allen. Ms. Vernon's story continues to change.She recently sent me an email stating my mom was shot in the left temple and is buried on Daniel Gallaspy's property in Mansfield and items of both Ms. Hudson and my mom can be find in his safe. She later sent an email stating this information was told to her by a psychic.
The disappearance itself was bad, but the reaction of the Red River Sheriff's department was even worse. My grandparents were alerted to their daughter's disappearance by a neighbor and friend, Mr. Howard Quick. The story goes that the sheriff called Mr. Quick to tell my grandfather that the car had been found at the Wagon Wheel and he needed to have it removed before it was towed. How did the police know my mom would not, or could not return for her car? At no point did the police treat the car for prints or clues, and they refused to take a missing persons report. This is evident by the document signed by Detective Rhodes and my grandmother, Ruby Lynch.
This case was mishandled from the beginning and even when my mom's neighbor, Wanda Faye Hudson was murdered in her bed nearly two months later, nothing in their behavior changed. It has been alleged by some still living in the community, that an Officer Bounds was showing towns people Ms. Hudson's crime scene photos. Even though the name "Robert" surfaced in both of these ladies cases, Robert Charles Browne, neighbor and maintenance man to both was never questioned. Why is that?
In the early 1980's Henry Lee Lucas was alleged questioned and confessed to chopping my mom into pieces and scattering her along the banks of the Red River. This was told to me by Larry Rhodes in June of 1994. But, the clothes that were allegedly recovered from that confession can no longer be accounted for. After the Browne confession, I called and spoke with current Sheriff Johnny Ray Norman who told me those clothes were listed on his evidence log, but were not in his vault." Can't lay my hands on them" is how it was put to me. I have asked S/T Allen several times if I may hear the tape of this Lucas confession and he says no, because my mom's case is still an ongoing investigation. He stated in May 2006, that the tape is "gibberish". If it is a false confession and "gibberish" on top of it, why can I not hear this tape? After all, this is the story told to my family for two and a half decades. Do I not have a right to my own mother's case files? I also found during my own research where Red River Sheriff's Deputy Johnny Taylor, told an on line poster of my mom's x-ray before her death. I find it remarkable that a sheriff's deputy can give out information on my mom's case to a stranger, but I can not hear the Lucas confession. The information with Taylor may be found on the site Porchlight International for the Missing and Unidentified.
I received information from De Soto Parish Sheriff's Depart (Robert Davidson) which included a list of the alleged Lucas victims. I compiled their list into a spreadsheet and no where is my mother remotely mentioned by Lucas. Did Red River Parish conduct a separate interview of Lucas in order to have a taped confession?

I also have a copy of an Offense Report from the Desoto Sheriff's Department stating a Mr. John Robert Biggers had previously been physically violent towards my mom. As far as I know Mr. Biggers has not been questioned about her disappearance. I believe Mr. Biggers and his brother Mike live in the Trinidad/Athens, TX area.
In 2006 Coushatta native Robert Charles Browne not only confessed to killing these three ladies, but dozens of others as well. I learned of Mr. Browne's confession from my Grandmother, who heard it on the news. In light of all that I have said here, you can surely imagine not only the shock of this second confession, but the lack of notice from Red River Parish. DA Bill Jones, who stated El Paso County Sheriff's Department, in Colorado Springs, Colorado sent him advanced notice that this story was about to break. Detective Jeff Nohr may be El Paso County may be reached at 719-520-7225.
If Mr.Browne had been questioned or any type of investigation launched in the Self or Hudson cases, Mr.Browne may not have been openly permitted to roam the country killing again and again, including children. Heather Dawn Church, 13, was murdered by Browne and he now serves a life sentence for her death. And, a life sentence for fifteen year old married mother, Rocio Sperry.
S/T Allen met with my family in May 2006 and stated not only was Lucas "gibberish", but Browne was not suspect in my mom's disappearance, but they would try to form a strategy in how to approach Daniel Gallaspy. That was nearly three years ago and I am left to scratch my head and wonder, exactly how many killers were on the loose in Red River Parish in 1983?
I humbly ask you that you please look not only into my mom's case, but there is apparently lost evidence in the Hudson case as well. Not to mention the way she was so disrespectfully treated at her crime scene. It appears the Red River Parish sheriff's department set their sites on Mr. John "Sonny" Higgs, and did not so much as interview, neighbor Mr. Robert Charles Browne. Even after the Browne confession current sheriff Johnny Ray Norman told me they always knew who killed Wanda it was her boyfriend, they just could not build a case against him.
I know we can not go back and undo what has been done, but sir, please do not let another family have to beg for justice for their lost and murdered women like we are second class citizens! There seems to be an epidemic of missing and murdered women in the state of Louisiana. Judy Ann Gary's case is a prime example. Mrs. Gary disappeared from St. Martin's Parish in 1988 on the way to the store. But, much like the response my own grandmother received when her family tried to file a report, the Gary family were turned away by police with out the opportunity to file a missings persons report.They have been left lost and hopeless as well.
Rebecca Pauline Gary, also missing since 1988, from Baton Rouge. The former Governor Edwards has been rumored to have had a relationship with Ms.Gary, this is per her daughter, Jamie Williams.
Misty Lynn Guillory, 15, was brutally murdered by three men and they are still free.
I ask your assistance in anyway possible not only in my mom's case, but by adapting the way missing persons cases are handled. I do appreciate your time and concern with our case. I eagerly anticipate your reply.
Respectfully,
Karrie Bateman

[Tom in Lazybrook]

John Faulk.

I think this discussion was talking about people who actually had a chance to get elected.

I'll take you at your word that 'you got more votes than anyone else against SJL', but still...

You got 21% of the vote! And unlike the other Republicans before you, you actually spent money trying to get there. That means in order to win, you'd have to more than double your vote if you got in the race for 2010.

But be my guest, its a democracy. Go ahead and run another far right, social conservative campaign in the heights, timbergrove and the montrose. Raise some more money. And maybe you might get 26 or 27%! My guess is that if Ellis, Jones, or Coleman were the nominee, you'd max out at about 15%. You were right, there are people that are open to voting for someone besides SJL, but not at the cost of electing a Ron Paulist who is also very conservative on social issues. You're beating your head against a wall.

There might be an opening for a very rich (the campaign would have to be self funded - no one in their right mind is gonna bankroll a GOP effort in the 18th) liberal Republican. But that would only be a viable option if social conservative Sylvester Turner won a Dem primary (not gonna happen either) so the Republican could run to the LEFT of Turner on social issues.

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