Democratic Ex-Congressman Wins In District 23

WASHINGTON (AP) – Republicans had the money, the experience and the name recognition. But in the end, Democrats had the momentum.

Voters in the vast 23rd District yesterday chose Democrat Ciro Rodriguez over Republican Congressman Henry Bonilla.

The runoff was needed because nobody received 50 percent of the vote in last month’s special election over the redrawn district in South and West Texas.

With the Rodriguez win, there will be 233 Democrats and 202 Republicans in the House. Texas added two Democrats: Rodriguez and Nick Lampson, who won the open race to replace former Congressman Tom DeLay.

Democrat leaders today announced Rodriguez will join the Appropriations Committee, where Bonilla was a member and subcommittee chairman.

Lampson will serve on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

(Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

AP-NY-12-13-06 1811EST