AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A lawyer for the Texas Democratic Party says the party is dropping a lawsuit that sought to keep Republican Rep. Blake Farenthold on the 2018 ballot even though he’s retiring.
Attorney Chad Dunn said Wednesday that Democrats made the decision after a federal judge denied their request for an immediate injunction. Democrats had argued that because Farenthold missed the deadline to withdraw his candidacy, his name should stay on the ballot.
Pressured by fellow Republicans, Farenthold announced last week that he wouldn’t seek re-election amid allegations of sexual harassment. The Texas GOP quickly sued to strike Farenthold’s from the ballot even though he missed the deadline for withdrawal. The party claimed victory Wednesday, saying state elections officials had signaled they couldn’t force Farenthold’s name to remain.