Benkiser Has Opposition In Republican Party

I've kind of enjoyed Tina Benkiser's reign as chairman of the Texas Republican Party. She has shamelessly played to the party's right-wing fringe, making it seem like it's a party of right-wing lunatics. I'm sure this has helped the Democrats to whittle away at the Republican lead in the Texas House.

When Benkiser (pictured) took over the chairmanship, the Republicans had an 89 to 61 majority in the Texas House of Representatives. In the last election, that majority had been reduced to only 76 to 74, and the Democrats have a real chance to take control of the Texas House in the next election.

Some Republicans don't like what they've seen for the last few years, and think Benkiser should be replaced as party chairman. So far, there are two declared candidates for the position (in addition to Benkiser).

One of those candidates is Mark McCaig of Katy, Texas. The other candidate, Tom Mechler, hails from right here in Amarillo. Mechler says, "Under her leadership we have lost what was once a solid majority in the Texas Legislature. That's a failure in leadership. Having lost seats in the last two general elections, Republicans are now poised to lose our two-seat majority in the Texas House of Representatives if a serious correction is not taken prior to the 2010 general election."

Mechler went on to say, "If we lose our majority, Republicans will be at a great disadvantage in the redistricting battle which will occur after the 2010 census."

I believe I smell just a hint of dissension and desperation in the Republican Party, and it smells good. Is there a crack in the armor of the Republican Party? Can the Democrats really take the House? I think there's a good chance, and it looks like the Republicans think so too.

Next year's election just gets more interesting all the time.