At first glance, it may seem typical that Lewis Conway Jr. got his name on the ballot for a seat on the Austin City Council — he paid the filing fee and turned in his application before the deadline. But Conway's success Tuesday is unique for one big reason: He's a convicted felon.
According to Texas' election code, a person is only eligible to run for office if he or she has not been "finally convicted" of a felony "from which the person has not been pardoned or otherwise released from the resulting disabilities." Conway was convicted of voluntary manslaughter in 1993, and his candidacy is testing that state law.
It's the "resulting disabilities" portion of the code that's caused people to scratch their heads — there's no legal precedent defining the term. But after a brief challenge on Friday by the city clerk, Conway has been cleared to continue his campaign.
“I am happy that Austin is standing up for the nearly four million Texans affected by our criminal justice system," Conway said in a statement. "Our campaign is about more than just an election — it’s about diversity in leadership, belief in a fair chance, and bringing the sentence to an end. I have been released from parole and my voting rights have been restored. I have served my time and now I am ready to serve my community.”
More
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
9 comments:
How the F is this Allowed.
“Diversity” is the new catch all word used for including low life scumbags, criminal types and all sorts of morally bankrupt people in the political system. They are called democrats now.
Just how was he "affected" by the criminal justice system? Isn't it more like he :affected" his life by committing murder?
He's not a victim here; he's the perpetrator!
By these standards "served my time", pedophiles can "serve their communities" by becoming Daycare providers, school teachers, pediatricians and the local Candyman.
When someone is convicted of a crime the people want them to pay their "debt to society" by various penalties including jail time. But once they have, as set by a judge, paid their "debt" is it right that, for most crimes, that the debt should be paid beyond what a judge has set? Or is their "debt" never paid?
We talk about rehabilitating criminals but how can a criminal ever feel fully rehabilitated if he has a debt for an offense, which has not caused physical harm, that is never, ever paid?
Or like the X mayor Jim ?
This from the same city that wants to change its name.
This is not unusual, many of our elected reps. in DC have Felony convictions.
Why shouldn't this be allowed? This is a democracy, let the voters decide.
Post a Comment