Republican write-in pick struggles in DeLay’s stead

HOUSTON — Republicans were struggling Tuesday to keep the congressional seat vacated by former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, with early election results showing the GOP’s write-in candidate trailing her Democratic rival.

Shelley Sekula-Gibbs, the Houston city councilwoman chosen by Republican leaders to run after DeLay suddenly dropped out amid legal problems, had 42% of the vote, while Democrat Nick Lampson had 52% in early returns.

Sekula-Gibbs was initially considered a longshot because her name did not appear on the general election ballot. But Republican leaders poured money into her campaign -- funding ads that urged voters to “Vote twice for Shelley” to the tune of “Roll Out the Barrel.”

Under the confusing circumstances, Sekula-Gibbs needed a double vote: one in the special election to fill the remainder of DeLay’s tenure, and another as a write-in to win a new term.

DeLay, who is facing corruption charges in Texas and whose aide pleaded guilty in the corruption probe of former Washington lobbyist Jack Abramoff, announced his resignation from Congress in April, after winning a primary in March.

Republicans lost a legal battle to put a new nominee on the ballot, forcing them to finance a write-in candidacy in a last-gasp bid to secure the seat once held by one of the House’s most powerful Republicans.

*

[email protected]