LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS
Electing to serve Physicians, alliance members seek political office BY KEN ORTOLON When
the Texas Legislature con- venes next January, there could be more members of the family of medicine in the ranks of lawmakers than ever before. Texas Medical Associa-
tion Political Action Com- mittee (TEXPAC) officials say a record number of physicians and TMA Alli- ance members are running for state House and Senate seats. At least 10 physi- cians and alliance members are running for reelection, trying to move up from the House to the Senate, or seeking legislative office for the first time. TEXPAC Board of Direc- tors Chair Joe Todd, MD, of Fort Worth, says many of those candidates are well positioned to win.
“I think we have a good chance of getting these folks elected,” said Dr. Todd, an orthopedic sur- geon whose wife, Susan, is among the first-time candi- dates. “They have the sup- port of the physicians in their community. Most of them also have been quite involved in community ac- tivities and have a lot of support from the nonmedical people in their communities. They’ve been able to raise money, and they’re all out actively campaigning and working hard. So I think that portends well for them getting elected.” TEXPAC endorsed eight of the 10, and Dr. Todd says they
Former Texas Medical Association Alliance President Susan Todd and her husband, Fort Worth orthopedic surgeon Joe Todd, MD, review materials for Ms. Todd’s upcoming race for a Texas House seat. Ms. Todd is one of 10 physicians and TMA Alliance members running for seats in the Texas Legislature this year. Dr. Todd, chair of the TMA Political Ac- tion Committee, says many of those candidates have a good chance of winning in November.
should run strong cam- paigns this year. In addition, U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess, MD (R- Texas), currently has no opposition and appears headed for reelection.
The redistricting effect? TEXPAC officials say it is unclear why so many phy- sicians and alliance mem- bers chose to run this year, but redistricting likely played a large role. Redistricting tradition-
ally produces a large num- ber of open seats as some incumbents find them- selves drawn into districts that are either favorable to moving up to higher office. Others find themselves suddenly living in an un- favorable district where their reelection chances are greatly diminished, and they ultimately decide to retire. “There’s always signifi- cant turnover as a result of redistricting because the maps change,” said Friend- swood neurosurgeon Greg Bonnen, MD, who is seek- ing the House District 24
seat being vacated by Rep. Larry Taylor (R-Friendswood). Dr. Todd agrees redistricting could be a factor, but efforts
by TMA, the TMA Alliance, and TEXPAC to raise awareness among physicians and their spouses about the importance of being politically active also were significant.
March 2012 TEXAS MEDICINE 35
JIM LINCOLN
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