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>"David Sibley: Dances with Democrats?, empowertexans.com, accessed September 25, 2010; material no longer on-line.</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>"David Sibley: Dances with Democrats?," Empowertexans.com, accessed 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>"Welcome, Face the Fire Ministries, facethefire.org, accessed September 21, 201; material no longer accessible on-line.</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>"Welcome, Face the Fire Ministries, Facethefire.org, accessed September 21, 201; material no longer accessible on-line.</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.​

==Background==

==Background==