BRYANT’S SONG

POLITICS The decision by U.S. Rep. John Bryant to pull out of the race for state Attorney General and run again for the Fifth District House seat he has held since 1982 shocked many political observers who had given Bryant the inside track in the AG’s race, and angered former Dallas County Democratic Party head SANDY KRESS, WHO WOULD have had clear sailing In the largely Democratic district. In a December letter to constituents. Bryant said that he had entered the AG’s race believing Texas would be secure in his absence, trusting in “the Speaker and the general strength of the delegation.” Since that time, Bryant reminded voters, Texas had lost jim Wright (resigned), Mickey Leland (died), and Marvin Leath (announced plans to retire).

Texas may indeed profit from two more years of Bryant, but he needs to check his dates on one of those Capitol Hillcalendarsthatmembers send out.Bryant registered hiscandidacy with the Secretary of State’s office on April 29, at which time Wright was already a political dead man. A month later, on June 1. Wright gave up the speakership. Five days after that, Bryant kicked off his campaign for AG.