dude58677
10-09-2007, 12:36 PM
In 1996, Paul returned to Congress after a tougher battle than he had faced in the 1970's. He was hopeful of being more effective in Congress after the Republicans took over both houses of Congress in the 1994 election.[55] His primary opponent, Greg Laughlin, had support from Republican leaders, including House Speaker Newt Gingrich and Texas Governor George W. Bush.[59] Incumbent Laughlin had switched from the Democratic Party to the Republican side the year before, and the Republican National Committee, hoping to encourage other Democrats to switch parties, threw its full support behind Laughlin. Despite these efforts by the national party, the National Rifle Association, and other interest groups, challenger Paul won the primary. It became the third time he had been elected to Congress as a non-incumbent.[1]
While Gingrich and other Republican leaders visited the district stumping for Laughlin, Paul ran newspaper ads quoting Gingrich's harsh criticisms of Laughlin's voting record 14 months earlier, before Laughlin had switched parties.[59] Baseball pitcher (and constituent) Nolan Ryan, a friend of Paul's, served as his honorary campaign chair and appeared in ads for him, and tax activist Steve Forbes also supported Paul's candidacy.[1][54] Paul continued to maintain his home in Lake Jackson, but ran for the coastal 14th Congressional district rather than the 22nd district he had previously represented, due to redistricting borders.[76]
His Democratic opponent in the fall election, trial lawyer Charles "Lefty" Morris, lost in a close margin, despite assistance from the American Federation of Labor and running numerous attacks citing Paul's 1992 newsletter and his past votes to repeal federal drug laws in favor of state legislation. Paul in turn labeled Morris a pawn of trial lawyers and big labor, and raised more money than Morris, with the help of his national network of donors: $1.2 million to Morris's less than $0.5 million. Ken Bryan, a Democratic consultant to some of Paul's opponents, has said, "He has one of the largest contributor bases in Congress, outside of the leadership." Most of Paul's contributions are given in small amounts by individuals.[54] That year, he had the third-highest amount of individual contributions of any House member, behind Gingrich and Bob Dornan.[77]
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While Gingrich and other Republican leaders visited the district stumping for Laughlin, Paul ran newspaper ads quoting Gingrich's harsh criticisms of Laughlin's voting record 14 months earlier, before Laughlin had switched parties.[59] Baseball pitcher (and constituent) Nolan Ryan, a friend of Paul's, served as his honorary campaign chair and appeared in ads for him, and tax activist Steve Forbes also supported Paul's candidacy.[1][54] Paul continued to maintain his home in Lake Jackson, but ran for the coastal 14th Congressional district rather than the 22nd district he had previously represented, due to redistricting borders.[76]
His Democratic opponent in the fall election, trial lawyer Charles "Lefty" Morris, lost in a close margin, despite assistance from the American Federation of Labor and running numerous attacks citing Paul's 1992 newsletter and his past votes to repeal federal drug laws in favor of state legislation. Paul in turn labeled Morris a pawn of trial lawyers and big labor, and raised more money than Morris, with the help of his national network of donors: $1.2 million to Morris's less than $0.5 million. Ken Bryan, a Democratic consultant to some of Paul's opponents, has said, "He has one of the largest contributor bases in Congress, outside of the leadership." Most of Paul's contributions are given in small amounts by individuals.[54] That year, he had the third-highest amount of individual contributions of any House member, behind Gingrich and Bob Dornan.[77]
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