The UTD Mercury

Issue date: 10/18/04 Section: News

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In the course of elections, incumbents commonly face upstart challengers, but due to recent redistricting measures, Dallas voters will have to vote with the incumbent because both candidates for congressional District 32 are currently representatives: Martin Frost (D) and Pete Sessions (R).

Local residents must have noticed the barrage of yard signs, fence posters and bumper stickers proudly displaying their candidate's name everywhere. Driving by a local neighborhood might prompt the following thought process: "Sessions, Frost, Frost, Sessions, Frost, Frost, Sessions, Sessions, Kerry/Edwards? Who are they? Bush/Cheney?" It seems as though each sign is bigger than the one before, with a more brilliant array of blues and yellows or reds, whites and blues than the one before.

This congressional race will affect the balance of power in the closely divided House of Representatives where Republicans hold the slightest of majorities at 227-205.

With both candidates visiting UTD this October, the election graces Cometland in hopes of rousing up some student votes.

UTD students on the stump

Who says all students are apathetic with regards to elections?

Certainly not sisters Norene and Lillian Napper. Norene, a junior art & performance/literary studies double major, and Lillian, an undeclared sophomore, have volunteered their time on behalf of the Frost campaign.

"We have volunteered several nights to phone banks, calling individuals to ask if they would like to receive a Martin Frost yard sign." Norene said. "We have also volunteered to assemble mailings and participated in a fundraising party at a private home."

That helps to explain some of the signage peppering Dallas yards.

Campus Republicans have kept just as busy, with College Republicans (CR) contributing weekly to the Victory Center, making phone calls, participating in precinct walks and making signs, said CR president Bryan Payne.

"It's very interesting to see how hard people work to get re-elected," Payne said.

Some of the hostility in this election could be attributed to the redistricting plan that some Democrats have argued was a blatant attempt by Republicans to "De-Frost Dallas."

The Napper sisters said they felt the redistricting that pit Frost against Sessions was "a partisan attempt to manipulate the democratic process." Lillian added, "Without such unfair alterations, both Frost and Sessions would most likely have remained in office, and we would have avoided such a bitter campaign season. Now we run the risk of losing valuable congressional experience."

Senior government and politics major Andres Correa said the redistricting has diluted a strong Democratic base in South Dallas with the more conservative base of North Dallas.

Although Payne said he was not fully aware of the decision-making process that led to the redistricting, he said, "As I understand, the redistricting (was) a demographic correction."

With two entrenched bases battling for voters, the campaign has upped the acidic rhetoric with radio and print ads alleging, among other things, that Pete Sessions spent taxpayers' money on family vacations and a Frost fundraiser unethically benefited from the appearance of a convicted child molester.

The most recent volley in the partisan battle was the release of pictures implicating Sessions in a college streaking incident.

Social sciences student Cyndy Powell, who is a precinct chair for the Republican Party in Collin County, said the release was dirty politics that she thinks will backfire.

"Any publicity is good exposure," Powell said. "We've all done things in our past that we regret, and we (can still) grow up do good things. I think the fact that they would use this (against Sessions) says something."

Payne said that Sessions support for funding of nanotech studies at UTD "shows he's really looking toward the jobs of the future" and should register with UTD students.

Meanwhile, Norene Napper cited Frost's assistance in mediating American Airlines' recent problems as a reason voters should support Frost.

Battleground: Conference Center

Both Frost and Sessions will visit UTD to discuss what they have to offer to the job. Sessions will speak from 12:30-1:45 p.m. Oct 19 in the Conference Center, CN 1.112, while Frost will follow suit at the same time and place Oct. 21.

"Students can have an enormous impact on the upcoming election," Lillian said. "Hundreds of thousands of college-age men and women letting their voice be heard through their vote could dramatically alter the course of the next four years and beyond, proving that we are equally responsible and caring citizens. If we participate today, we can change tomorrow."

For additional information about tickets or the campaign stops, please contact the Center for the Study of Texas Politics at 972-883-4929.

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On the Left:

Martin Frost

Democrat, age 62

Experience: 26 years in U.S. House of Reps.

On leadership:
"Last spring, the nation's biggest airline hovered on the brink of bankruptcy. At the 11th hour, American Airlines' leaders asked me to help mediate an effort to save the airline. Bringing together management and three key labor groups, I helped shape the agreement that won approval from management and three key labor groups, saving the airline from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and protecting more than 20,000 jobs."

Top three priorities:
"My top priorities will be 1) supporting our troops abroad and working to keep our country and community safe from terrorist attacks; 2) working with local officials to promote the City of Dallas' Trinity River Project and local transportation projects which enhance property values and improve air quality; and 3) continue incentives and opportunities to create and maintain good jobs for North Texas."

What issues will you address for your district?
"North Texas is a wonderful place to live and raise a family. To help keep it that way, we must stop job outsourcing to protect local jobs, reduce traffic congestion and improve air quality which will, in turn, enhance our business climate and local property values..."

--Excerpts from Dallas Morning News July Candidate Quiz

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On the Right:

Pete Sessions

Republican, age 49

Experience: 8 years in U.S. House of Reps.

On leadership:
"One study of 20 states found that 64 percent of families who have children with severe disabilities report that they are turning down jobs, turning down overtime, and are unable to earn enough money to adequately provide for their family - just so that their child can access Medicaid...
"In response, I introduced ... the "Dylan Lee James Family Opportunity Act" that would provide families of children with disabilities with incomes up to 250 percent of poverty to buy into Medicaid. As a result, the "Family Opportunity Act" brought together ... 240 members of Congress as co-sponsors from across the political spectrum."

Top three priorities:
"... protect the American homeland and keep the economy growing, while helping those who cannot help themselves."

What issues will you address for your district?
"I will continue to work with my North Texas colleagues to deliver legislation that provides improved opportunities for education, critical transportation funding, the conservation of our environment, and immigration reform that protects our borders while respecting our history as a nation of immigrants.

--Excerpts from Dallas Morning News July Candidate Quiz

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