I know he had a strong challenger in the ‘90s named Donna Peterson. Unfortunately, the GOP didn’t pump enough money to support her. We probably could’ve beaten him in ‘94. As it was, we didn’t get the seat until we got control of redistricting and used it to knock off Charlie’s successor, Jim Turner, in ‘04.
Peterson kind of flopped at the end. She had some shady dealings which were revealed about 1 or 2 weeks before election. It wasn’t close. I voted for her because Charlie was a democrat. I don’t do that. Kind of a rule. I can think of very few democrats I would vote for,...certainly not Charlie. Moynihan...yes. The good senator from Georgia, recently retired...the one that scrapped with Matthews. There may be another in the universe, but I cannot think of him now.
The Good Lord works in mysterious ways! I literally begged Donna Peterson (thank GOD we didn't elect her as she turned out to be a real slimy piece of work herself!) to make another run at Charlie in 94 so that I would not have to and be free to pursue my real interest at the time which was shining a little light on the fellow who held then held the house district 18 seat in the Texas legislature, one Allen Ross Hightower. I didn't win the seat but managed to shine enough light on it so that he didn't want it anymore and neither he or his buddy from Beaumont, one Mark Stiles, chose to seek re-election after serving one more term.