The Impact of The Indictment
State Rep. Terri Hodge, D-Dallas, isn't in my neck-of-the-woods but she has long been an outspoken House member.* She's now under federal indictment, and so I thought we'd take some time to find out what this means for her politically.
 Courtesy: Austin Chronicle |
Enter The Dallas Morning News' political writer Gromer Jeffers Jr. The two of us thought we'd get all synergized (since we work for the same parent company) and chat about the political implications for Rep Hodge.
EH: So, what does all of this mean for Hodge?
GJ: No one wants to be indicted, right?
EH to self: I think that was a rhetorical question, right?
GJ: But she's not had an opponent in several election cycles, which makes her practically unbeatable in her district.**
EH: How much does an indictment hurt her, politically?
GJ: It weakens her but so far, no candidate has emerged. That's always been the problem for her political adversaries. It's hard to find someone to run against her.
EH: So, there's no "bench" in her district?
GJ: Exactly. That's beginning to change, but even though the lege has a good retirement plan, the prospect of that kind of low pay and devoting that time in Austin isnt really appealing for prospective candidates.
EH: Have you heard any murmurs about who might step up to challenge her?
GJ: There are opportunists out there who are looking for an avenue to knock her off. But even under indictment, even a wounded Terri Hodge is formidable. I think people know that. But I do expect somebody to try. [Pause].
Maybe former councilmember Leo Chaney? He may still hold a grudge against her over what she did concerning the use of the city nuisance ordinance in his district.
Footnotes
*She's also an advocate for smoking. Young Sergeant-at-Arms in the House caught her light one up on the House floor one time last session, and is rumored to have gotten into a near physical fight with State Rep. Debbie Riddle, R-Tomball, over smoking in the members' lounge.
**District 100
