After a long exploratory phase, former Congressman and City of Houston councilmember Chris Bell (D) announced today that he will indeed be running for Texas governor.
The coverage by Associated Press reporters Wendy Benjaminson and Jim Vertuno contained the following information:
Bell is best known for accusing House Majority Leader Tom DeLay of ethical violations. DeLay, a Houston-area Republican, was instrumental in the GOP-led Texas congressional redistricting effort that resulted in Bell’s defeat.
Although DeLay was admonished by the House, Bell also was criticized for exaggerating misconduct allegations against the GOP leader.
Kristen Mack’s coverage, which completely replaced the earlier AP coverage on the Chron.com website in the usual annoying fashion, drops some of the information contained in that earlier version:
The best-known legacy of Bell’s single term was the ethics complaint he filed against DeLay, who later was admonished by the House Ethics Committee.
The Associated Press version was more informative, if less complimentary. The Bell press people should certainly drop Kristen Mack and the Houston Chronicle a thank-you note.
UPDATE: We should point out that the Perry vs World blog, put out by a Houston blogger and friend, is the go-to source for commentary on the gubernatorial race.
