Underwood to immediately replace Cuellar in prominent funding role after indictment

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Hill

05/03/24 8:04 PM ET


Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-Ill.) is set to become top Democrat on the House subcommittee that crafts Homeland Security Department (DHS) funding, replacing Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) shortly after he was indicted on bribery charges.

Aides confirmed the news, first reported by Bloomberg Government, to The Hill on Friday afternoon.

A House Democratic aide said Underwood, who was previously tapped to serve on the subcommittee in 2021, will immediately begin serving as ranking member on the GOP-led subcommittee.

The news comes shortly after House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries’s (D-N.Y.) office confirmed Cuellar would be stepping down from the role following reports that the Texas Democrat and his wife had been indicted. Cuellar has been alleged to have accepted nearly $600,000 in bribes and laundered the funds.

Read more: https://thehill.com/business/budget/4642507-underwood-to-immediately-replace-cuellar-in-prominent-funding-role-after-indictment/

[SARose]

1. Texas 28th

Representative
Henry Cuellar
D–Laredo
Distribution
82.75% urban[1]
17.25% rural
Population (2022) 777,758[2]
Median household
income $60,356[2]
Ethnicity
75.3% Hispanic
17.2% White
4.4% Black
1.7% Two or more races
0.9% Asian
0.5% other

From Wikipedia.

The 28th is a Democratic stronghold. If memory serves, it contains the longest border with Mexico but I could be wrong.

It is sad he is stepping down from this committee because he understands the people and economics of this part of Texas.

His forced birth stance -yeah not so much.

[LeftInTX]

2. CD 23, a repuke district, contains the longest border with Mexico.

CD 23 goes from Maverick to El Paso Counties. (includes Big Bend)

CD 28 is Zapata, Webb and Starr Counties. I'm afraid it could flip because it also includes parts of Guadalupe County. There is also a power struggle between Laredo and San Antonio within that district. Laredo claims it as "their own". Laredo really wants someone from Laredo in that seat. It could flip over something like that.

[SARose]

3. Thanks

I could not remember.👍

This district is new to me because we were gerrymandered out of Lloyd Doggett’s gerrymandered district.

This District has a Democrat for Congress and Republicans for everything else. If Cuellar resigns… who knows?

Ahh Texas gotta love her.😉

[mountain grammy]

4. I know it's probably impossible

But I’d love to see another Jasmine Crockett in that seat!

[oldsoftie]

5. But will he be stepping down from his seat?

From the evidence I've seen he's toast. I guess they'll wait like they did with Santos and STILL are with Menendez; who shouldve been gone LONGH ago
But if he DID step down what is the law on replacing him? Would there be an appointment until Nov or a hastily run race for a few months term?

[BumRushDaShow]

6. From the TX election code

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/EL/htm/EL.204.htm

(snip)

SUBCHAPTER B. VACANCY IN HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Sec. 204.021. VACANCY FILLED AT SPECIAL ELECTION. An unexpired term in the office of United States representative may be filled only by a special election in the same manner as provided by Chapter 203 for the legislature, except that Section 203.013 does not apply.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986.

They reference this being done the same way they do their state special elections per their CHAPTER 203 which is here - https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/EL/htm/EL.203.htm

(snip)

Sec. 203.004. DATE OF ELECTION. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), a special election shall be held on the first uniform election date occurring on or after the 36th day after the date the election is ordered.

(b) If the election is to be held as an emergency election, it shall be held on a Tuesday or Saturday occurring on or after the 36th day and on or before the 64th day after the date the election is ordered.

Acts 1985, 69th Leg., ch. 211, Sec. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 1986. Amended by Acts 1991, 72nd Leg., ch. 389, Sec. 5, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.

Amended by:

Acts 2021, 87th Leg., R.S., Ch. 711 (H.B. 3107), Sec. 88, eff. September 1, 2021.

[patphil]

7. That's a good question. He's already won an uncontested primary, and will be the Democratic candidate this fall.

He won easily in 2022, but this indictment could result in a Republican victory.
Unfortunately, if he resigns from the House, there will be a special election to replace him.
I would rather he simply announce he's withdrawing his nomination for the 2024 race, and leave it at that.

[oldsoftie]

8. But I think if he does that, he's still on the ballot & the Party has to use a write-in

Which would be risky the way people pay attention.

[patphil]

9. It's only May. The election is nearly 6 month away yet.

Plenty of time for the Democrats to replace him on the ticket.
Here is a bit of the Texas law that covers this:

Sec. 145.032. DEADLINE FOR WITHDRAWAL. A candidate may not withdraw from the general election after the 74th day before election day.
Sec. 145.035. WITHDRAWN, DECEASED, OR INELIGIBLE CANDIDATE'S NAME OMITTED FROM BALLOT. A candidate's name shall be omitted from the ballot if the candidate withdraws, dies, or is declared ineligible on or before the 74th day before election day.

There's a lot more to the law, if you care to read it all, but the gist of it is that he can withdraw and be replaced if he does it prior to the deadline.

https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/Docs/EL/htm/EL.145.htm