Congressional CU Ally Makes Last-DitchBid To Save His Seat

AUSTIN, Texas - (08/04/04) -- Rep. Ciro Rodriguez asked a TexasSupreme Court last week to overturn his narrow, 58-vote, loss inthe Democratic primary, based in allegations of vote tampering.Rodriguez, elected seven years ago with heavy credit union support,appeared to win the March primary by 145 votes, but fell behind hischallenger, former Texas Secretary of State Henry Cuellar, after arecount that uncovered more than 200 uncounted ballots. Rodriguezsued, claiming irregularities in the recount, but his charges weredismissed last month by the state's appeals court. The Democraticnominee is almost assured of winning the congressional seat, whichencompasses the San Antonio area, in November's generalelection.