Abilene, TX, Expects Cheney at Rally for Representative Randy Neugebauer

Lubbock, TX, Avalanche-Journal ^ | 11-27-03 | Williams, Brian

[Theodore R.]

Abilene expects Cheney at rally for Neugebauer BY BRIAN WILLIAMS AVALANCHE-JOURNAL

Vice President Dick Cheney will join U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer next week in Abilene for a rally and reception, according to an Abilene Republican.

The $25-per-person fund-raiser for Neugebauer, R-Lubbock, is scheduled for Dec. 5 at the Abilene Civic Center, said Paul Washburn, Taylor County Republican Party chairman.

AP Photo Vice-President Dick Cheney addresses an audience during a fund-raising appearance Monday, Nov. 24, 2003 in Cleveland. Ohio Gov. Bob Taft was the host of a $2,000-a-plate dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel and Conference Center near downtown.

Washburn said Neugebauer’s appearance with Cheney will help get the freshman congressman’s name out in Abilene, a city placed in Neugebauer’s district by new redistricting maps.

Neugebauer beat Mike Conaway, R-Midland, in June by less than 600 votes to replace Larry Combest for the District 19 seat, which currently pairs Lubbock and the Midland-Odessa area.

‘‘It’s going to be a fund-raiser for Congressman Neugebauer,’’ Washburn said. ‘‘This is just a great way for him to get a chance to meet people. This will make Randy Neugebauer’s name extremely well-known in the community.’’

Neugebauer’s office was tight-lipped about the event.

‘‘I cannot confirm or deny that,’’ said Neugebauer spokeswoman Thais Conway, who added that such an event would be handled by Neugebauer’s campaign and not his office.

After the tense congressional redistricting process, District 19 pairs Neugebauer with Rep. Charlie Stenholm, D-Abilene, and combines Lubbock and Abilene, which both traditionally have agricultural backgrounds.

Stenholm currently represents District 17, which was moved to the Midland-Odessa area in new congressional maps.

The West Texas aspect of the maps was a flash point in redistricting debate and negotiations.

Texas House Speaker Tom Craddick, R-Midland, pushed for a congressional district anchored by his hometown and won his fight to have a new district created around Midland, which was placed in a district with Odessa and San Angelo. Conaway said he plans to run for the redrawn District 17 seat.

The pairing of Neugebauer and Stenholm irritated many West Texas voters because both men hold positions on the House Agriculture Committee.

Stenholm was widely seen as a target of the redistricting effort that was undertaken to funnel more Texas Republicans to Congress.

Neugebauer and Stenholm have both said they will campaign hard to return to Congress.

The redistricting plan is facing legal challenges and the maps have yet to be set in stone.

Cheney’s vice presidential Web site includes comments about appearances across the country in support of various Republican candidates in the past few months.

With military base closures and realignments planned in 2005, Washburn said, people plan to talk up Dyess Air Force Base – a major economic driver for Abilene – during Cheney’s visit.

People interested in attending the Neugebauer event can call (325) 675-6885 or (325) 695-7270.

brian.williams@lubbockonline.com t 766-8719

[Theodore R.]

This may be the first of many articles of what could become the Neugebauer-Stenholm race of November 2004. To win, Stenholm will presumably need some support from Lubbock Republicans.