Changes

On June 22, 2010, Sibley unsuccessfully sought to return to the state Senate but lost a [[special election]] runoff  to fellow Republican [[Brian Birdwell]] of Granbury in Hood County, whose [[conservative]] positions contrasted with Sibley's [[Moderate Republican]] tendencies.<ref>Texas Secretary of State, Special election returns, Senate District 22, June 22, 2010.</ref> The seat became vacant when Republican Kip Averitt, a former aide to Sibley, resigned because of health issues.​

On June 22, 2010, Sibley unsuccessfully sought to return to the state Senate but lost a [[special election]] runoff  to fellow Republican [[Brian Birdwell]] of Granbury in Hood County, whose [[conservative]] positions contrasted with Sibley's [[Moderate Republican]] tendencies.<ref>Texas Secretary of State, Special election returns, Senate District 22, June 22, 2010.</ref> The seat became vacant when Republican Kip Averitt, a former aide to Sibley, resigned because of health issues.​

Sibley's opponents disclosed in 2010 that as a lobbyist he had contributed to two [[liberal]] [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] lawmakers, state Senator Leticia Van de Putte of Sibley's native [[San Antonio]], who later ran for lieutenant governor against conservative [[Dan Patrick]] and state Representative Jim Dunnam of Waco. Dunnam in the spring of 2003 led Democratic lawmakers on a sojourn to Ardmore, [[Oklahoma]], in an ultimately failed bid to deny a legislative [[quorum]] as the lawmakers [[redistricting|redistricted]] the thirty-two seats that Texas then had in the [[United States House of Representatives]]. Otherwise, it was noted that 97 percent of Sibley's contributions had gone to his fellow Republicans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.empowertexans.com/node/1285|title=David Sibley: Dances with Democrats?|publisher=empowertexans.com|accessdate=September 25, 2010}}</ref>​

Sibley's opponents disclosed in 2010 that as a lobbyist he had contributed to two [[liberal]] [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] lawmakers, state Senator Leticia Van de Putte of Sibley's native [[San Antonio]], who later ran for lieutenant governor against conservative [[Dan Patrick]] and state Representative Jim Dunnam of Waco. Dunnam in the spring of 2003 led Democratic lawmakers on a sojourn to Ardmore, [[Oklahoma]], in an ultimately failed bid to deny a legislative [[quorum]] as the lawmakers [[redistricting|redistricted]] the thirty-two seats that Texas then had in the [[United States House of Representatives]]. Otherwise, it was noted that 97 percent of Sibley's contributions had gone to his fellow Republicans.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.empowertexans.com/node/1285|title=David Sibley: Dances with Democrats?|publisher=empowertexans.com|accessdate=September 25, 2010; material no longer on-line}}</ref>​

Sibley carried the backing in the 2010 election of former [[U.S. President]] [[George W. Bush]], who had earlier befriended Birdwell, a burn victim of the [[terrorist]] attack on [[The Pentagon]] on [[September 11, 2001 attacks|September 11, 2001]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.facethefire.org/|title=Welcome, Face the Fire Ministries|publisher=facethefire.org|accessdate=September 21, 2010}}</ref> Bush's ranch in Crawford was located within the senatorial district. Birdwell, who carried the support of the [[Tea Party movement]], was unopposed for the seat in the November 2, 2010, general election.​

Sibley carried the backing in the 2010 election of former [[U.S. President]] [[George W. Bush]], who had earlier befriended Birdwell, a burn victim of the [[terrorist]] attack on [[The Pentagon]] on [[September 11, 2001 attacks|September 11, 2001]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.facethefire.org/|title=Welcome, Face the Fire Ministries|publisher=facethefire.org|accessdate=September 21, 2010}}</ref> Bush's ranch in Crawford was located within the senatorial district. Birdwell, who carried the support of the [[Tea Party movement]], was unopposed for the seat in the November 2, 2010, general election.​