Susan Delgado

Susan Delgado (born c. 1964) is a former stripper that ran as a write-in candidate for the Texas Senate in the 2004 general election. She was running against the District 6 incumbent, Senator Mario Gallegos, Jr., a man with whom she had had a 17-year affair.

On 5 February 2004, Delgado filed a lawsuit against Gallegos charging that he “inflicted emotional and physical pain” during the 17-year affair. She also sought repayment of $14,000 in loans that she was alleged to have made to Gallegos over the course of the affair. Gallegos, who is married, admitted to the affair but disputed the other accusations saying the lawsuit would be “appropriately and vigorously fought.” Gallegos was in the middle of a Democratic primary race against Yolanda Navarro Flores. Delgado denied any collaboration with Flores on the timing of the lawsuit against Gallegos.

In August 2004, Delgado filed suit to have Gallegos’ senate seat declared vacant and Gallegos stricken from the ballot, alleging that Gallegos did not actually reside in the district he represents. (A similar suit, filed by another District 6 constituent was filed in January 2004.) The case was not heard until after the 2 November 2004 election, at which time it was dismissed as being moot.

In the 2004 General Election, Delgado ran for the Senate — against Gallegos — and garnered 160 votes, or 0.2% of the votes cast. Gallegos won the election easily, but Delgado filed for an election contest disputing Gallegos’ win on the residency issue. On 10 January 2005, the Senate State Affairs Committee met and rejected Delgado’s contest finding that she “failed to state the grounds necessary to maintain an election contest.” The full senate voted on the committee’s recommendation and rejected Delgado’s contest and seated Gallegos for the 79th Legislature.

Election results

Most recent election

2004

Election box begin
title=Texas general election, 2004: Senate District 6Election box candidate with party link
party= Democratic Party (US)
candidate = Mario Gallegos, Jr.
votes = 75,318
percentage = 91.74
change = -8.24Election box candidate with party link
party = Libertarian Party (US)
candidate = Tony Deppenschmidt
votes = 6,614
percentage = 8.05
change = +8.05Election box candidate
party = Write-In
candidate = Susan Delgado
votes = 160
percentage = 0.19
change = +0.19Election box majority
votes = 68,704
percentage = 83.69
change = -16.31Election box turnout
votes = 82,092
percentage =
change = +51.65Election box hold with party link no swing
winner = Democratic Party (US)

References

* Mack, Kristen, [http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2005_3833527 2005 Legislative Preview, Senate: Panel dismisses challenge to Gallegos] , "Houston Chronicle", 11 January 2005.
* Rodriguez, Lori, [http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2004_3733239 Gallegos asks forgiveness for affair with ex-stripper] , "Houston Chronicle", 7 February 2004.
* Williams, John, [http://www.chron.com/CDA/archives/archive.mpl?id=2004_3732927 Woman's lawsuit accuses Gallegos of emotional abuse] , "Houston Chronicle", 6 February 2004.
* Senate State Affairs Committee, [http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/tlo/78R/minutes/C5702005011015001.HTM Minutes, January 10, 2005] , Texas Senate, 10 January 2005.
* Senate State Affairs Committee, [http://www.senate.state.tx.us/75r/senate/commit/c570/downloads/rpt_c570_jan2005.pdf Senate Committee on State Affairs Report Regarding the Senator of District 6] , Texas Senate, 10 January 2005