Texas tea party activists disavow US Rep. Stockman

AUSTIN, Texas—A coalition of top Texas grassroots conservatives has formally disavowed U.S. Rep. Steve Stockman, saying he never represented tea party values.

Stockman is challenging U.S. Sen. John Cornyn in next week's Republican primary. But in an open letter to him Thursday, the activists wrote: "there is nothing about your conduct that represents the spirit of grassroots conservatives."

Stockman has done little organized campaigning and even missed nearly 20 straight House votes in January—though it turned out he was part of an official overseas delegation for much of that time.

His campaign also has faced numerous accusations of ethics and campaign finance violations.

The letter was signed by 12 activists led by JoAnn Fleming, who chairs the citizen advisory committee to the Texas Legislature's Tea Party Caucus.

Source: http://www.burlesonstar.net/texasnews/ci_25241067