Redistricting takes its toll on Chris Bell [View All]

By JOHN WILLIAMS
Houston Chronicle Political Writer

Congressional redistricting took a toll on U.S. Rep. Chris Bell Tuesday as he was defeated by former Harris County Justice of the Peace Al Green in a contentious Democratic Party primary.

With all votes counted in the primary for the 9th Congressional District, Green had 66 percent of the vote to 31 percent for Bell in a race that was fought along racial lines. A third candidate -- lawyer Beverly Spencer -- had 2 percent.

Democrats are already trying to heal the wounds caused by the primary that became contested when Bell was moved into a new district that Republican legislators created last year in hopes of forcing Bell into a race with a strong black Democratic candidate.

Green is the former president of the Houston chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

more: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/topstory/2441846