KVIA BREAKING NEWS: County Commissioner Willie Gandara Jr., Raid & Arresrt

The last 20 seconds of today's news casts on KVIA Channel 7 News alleges that County Commissioner Willie Gandara Jr., was the subject of a raid and arrest for drug related charges.  This is breaking and I will follow up with news as it is reported!  Big game changer in Lower Valley politics, specifically the race for State Representative District 75 and has significant impact for his District Director Dora Oaxaca and her candidacy for County Commissioner in Gandara's current seat. 

(Broke this 1 minute before the El Paso Times, 5 minutes before the criminal blogger....stay hooked up and sign up to thenormachavezblog.com just saying.....)!

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Candidate for Congressional District 23 Pete Gallego, State Representative: "Meet and Greet with El Paso Young Democrats"

State Representative Pete Gallego was the guest speaker at the El Paso Young Democrats February meeting. Introduced by El Paso Democratic favorite Joe Moody, Pete shared how he has always been ready to represent El Paso. Pete has always been a friend to El Paso and has family ties including his pediatrician sister, who works for Centro de Salud Familiar La Fe Inc. Elected at 28 years old, he served for 22 years in the Texas House of Representatives, serving on the most powerful and important committees in the Texas Legislature, including serving as an Appropriations Conference Committee Member, making him one of 10 people who hammer out the final details of the Texas budget. He has been a leader in the Texas House, carrying bipartisan legislation under Governor George W. Bush, and has served in leadership roles in the Texas Mexican American Legislative Caucus, a bipartisan policy organization, and as Chair of the Texas House Democratic Caucus. In addition, as he stated in the El Paso Young Democrats Meet and Greet, he has worked with both Democratic and Republican legislators from El Paso, on issues important to El Paso. Born in Alpine, Texas he graduated from Sul Russ State University and the University of Texas School of Law, and has Chaired various committees in the Texas House of Representatives and can utilize his successful legislative career to work for West Texas and El Paso in Washington. I had the opportunity to serve in the Texas legislature with Pete my entire 14 years serving in the Texas House. After loosing my last election, I had a heartfelt lunch with him and thanked him for all he had done for Texas and El Paso and apologized for failing to allow myself to be mentored after the illness and subsequent death of Lena Guerrero, a Latina friend, leader and mentor we both respected. My final term I witnessed Pete, an honorable and respected leader, mentor and provide leadership opportunities to former Rep. Joe Moody, giving Moody a gavel to Chair a Subcommittee and on numerous occasions deferring to his advise on certain issues. As he stated in the El Paso Young Democrats meeting, he was ready to serve and represent El Paso in 1999-2001 when redistricting plans were drawing his district into El Paso. Unfortunately, the census information did not show the increase in population needed to draw him into El Paso. However South Texas census data resulted in new seats drawn in that area. The current maps, in District Court in San Antonio, are being redrawn to reflect the increase in Latino population in Texas per census data, which means that El Paso's congressional seat will loose some population to the 23rd Congressional District. That is one of the contentious issues on how and where the lines are to be drawn. One proposal puts a great majority of the Lower Valley from Ysleta East out of the 16th Congressional District and Places it in the 23rd Congressional District. The Lower Valley, specifically Ysleta, is considered the oldest town in Texas. According to the Texas State Historical Association: A Digital Gateway to Texas History: "By an election in 1873 Ysleta replaced San Elizario as the El Paso County seat. But the coming of the railroads in 1881 changed the population center of the County, and in 1883 a strongly disputed election made El Paso the county seat." Meaning that the communities of interest, that have been the historical point of reference for El Paso's county seat would be removed if the Lower Valley, Ysleta, Socorro, San Elizario are awarded to the 23rd Congressional District.
The current map proposals, place a great majority of his current Texas House legislative district in the US Congressional district, however he will have to face an incumbent Republican, Congressman Quico Canseco in the General election. Pete along with his wife Maria Elena and their young son Nicolas would be an excellent choice for West Texas and parts of El Paso. I hope that the maps preserve the Lower Valley in El Paso, that Pete Gallego win the 23rd Congressional race, and that he also represent a part of El Paso. Congressman Silvestre Reyes and Pete Gallego as Congressman would make a dyno-duo pack for El Paso and the Borderlands!

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Housekeeping Blog #3: "LIMPIA"

Just a quick "housekeeping thought" to those of you who are going to be included in my blog in the future or have been featured in the past.

Expect the "Criminal Blogger" aka "Criminal DISCO Blogger" to contact you if I dare mention you by name, to set you straight that my mentioning you in my personal blog is going to cause a nuclear fission reaction that will create an imbalance in your menstrual cycle or cause you permanent brain cell damage that  will ultimately result in you dying a slow and agonizing death.  He will claim that within 24 hours, a colony of wild ants will eat through your arm pits and between your toes, until you beg for forgiveness and promise to never stand on my shadow or look my way, at which time he will claim, the plague will cease.  Seriously, he has called on every single person I have written about in my blog, to marginalize my blog, or to speak poorly of me, and to continue this dysfunctional effort to bully me.

But let me be clear, I will not allow a criminal "Dead Beat Dad" with an outstanding warrant in Maricopa County for failing to pay child support, bully me and try to marginalize my very public successful legislative and community record, nor will I allow him to minimize my participation in politics and in my community. I have a very public record, he has a very public criminal record.  My blog is about politics and and all things El Paso, the Borderlands and Latino issues and it is my perspective and my opinion.  I could care less if he interviews you, features you, praises you.  I will write about you, if you are of interest to me. But when he dares to bring me up, if I do write about you, tell him it is none of his business. Because it is not!

For the record to date, a lot of candidates for public office in El Paso (who are not members of the Veronicuns or Shapleighite factions) have contacted me for advice or just my thoughts on their races. I have these conversations in strict confidence. In addition, many people from political circles in Austin, El Paso and other areas of influence call me regularly to inquire about this or that candidate, race, or my best guess on who I think will be in a run-off or not.  I don't charge for my thoughts on these subjects. I don't charge candidates to post propaganda on my blog (that could be considered extortion "if you don't buy an ad, you get a bad blog post", someone else with a criminal background in the El Paso blogosphere does that - not me.  And by the way, the "Criminal Blogger" only started voting in 2008 yet tries to be the moral majority judge of all us heathens. Why do you let him do that? He is a petty criminal with a criminal record).

So, if you merit a mention on my blog, you do, if you merit a slam, I will slam you, all within the compounds of truth, personal opinion and utilizing the many tools awarded to someone who uses "words" as a new weapon of choice. And you don't have to be a "poli" to be mentioned in my blog either.

Nothing or no one can keep me from blogging my thoughts. Certainly not the "Criminal Blogger". I don't spread lies, I don't promote political separation or oppression, I express thought.

On another note, I will not dumbify my blog by stating the obvious: "I'm going to do an analysis of this or that". It is usually pretty clear when I am doing a political analysis, personal analysis or statistical analysis etc., or if I am speaking on the Borderlands, or providing political thought. Sometimes I may provide clarity if I think it is necessary. So this being said, I will continue to speak directly to you.....read it if you like, go elsewhere in the blogosphere if you don't!

Writing in the skies....it's a pretty big sky out there isn't it!!

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BREAKING AGAIN: A Picture is Worth a 1000 Words: Honorable Paul Moreno Giving Words of Advice to Aaron Barraza! GAME CHANGER!!

Candidate for State Representative District 77 Aaron Barraza, is awarded wisdom from the former representative who honorably represented District 77 for 30 plus years, the Honorable Paul Moreno.

Game changer for the young UT graduate who served in the famed public service UT organization the "Texas Wranglers", is a small business entrepreneur who established a wash and fold business called "Texas Fold Em" while he went to college, worked for stellar Democrats including former State Representative Juan Garcia, an appointee by President Obama to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and State Representative Sylvester Turner, a Harvard graduate and one of the most distinguished Democrats and public debaters of legislation in the Texas House of Representatives.

Sources have informed me that the young leader has been walking neighborhoods every day, talking to people in the district.  He is a graduate of Cathedral High School in El Paso, a private Catholic school with a tremendously organized alumni.  Expect to hear more from Aaron Barraza!!

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"Cicala in Chihuahua" a 6 Day Series about Safely Traveling through Chihuhua to Los Mochis! Incredible journey takes you through the Barranca del Cobre, and in the homes of the Tarahumara!

If you haven't caught the series that KVIA Sports guy Paul Cicala is doing on traveling through Chihuahua to Los Mochis, Sinaloa, you have to see the video and interviews that will make you either want to jump the train or give you fond memories of the famous travel through the Barranca Del Cobre (Copper Canyon, the canyon bigger than the US Grand Canyon).

Cicala is part of the dyno-duo Sports team at KVIA and is usually teamed up with Raul Martinez to provide El Paso viewers with sports but he does these special reports and this one so far deserves 5 STARS!

While news of drug cartels, deaths, extortion, and femicide in Mexico dominate news and search engines,Cicala has taken the journey to demonstrate a beautiful and historical first person account of the people, culture, history, and art in Chihuahua to Los Mochis. He travels on the train, stays in the no-electricity home of a Tarahumara family and shares a little more each night. It is a great series that starts at the beginning of Channel 7 (KVIA) news cast at 10 pm.  Today (2/15/12) is the 4th series.  Check it out.  Here are the links to the series:

Intro segment  http://www.kvia.com/video/30442320/index.html
Day 1:
Day 2: http://www.kvia.com/video/30470542/index.html  Urique Canyon, and Vineyards etc.,
Day 3: http://www.kvia.com/video/30461235/index.html  Zip Lining, "Piedra Volada" etc.,


Always good to see our neighbor Mexico and sister state Chihuahua, trying to make in roads to recovery, so that tourists feel safe to travel through Northern Mexico again.  Cinco Estrellas para ti Pablito!!

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Final Drawings for Luis Jimenez "Los Lagartos" Sculpture at the Plazita de Los Lagartos Finalized! El PUEBLO UNIDO!!

The Lagartista Movement started last July 9, 2011  

LOTS OF LOVE TO SHARE: LAGARTISTAS - LA VICTORIA!! 


I am happy to report that the final drawings and plans for the Plaza de Los Lagartos were approved by the Historical Commission on Monday February 13, 2012. Formal committee members for the San Jacinto Plaza attended the final meeting where the Commission voted for the final drawing prepared as a result of the "Lagartista" movement that provided testimony, human billboarding, petition gathering, historical documentation and plain old CORAZON for the PLAZITA!  Committee members Miguel Juarez, Katherine Brennard, Nestor Valencia, Xochi Valencia, Peter Svarzbein were in attendance.  I arrived after the discussion  and final vote of the plans and had a cafecito with the committee members who shared with contentment and much satisfaction that the Lagartos are staying in the middle of the park, a canopy has been added to protect the statue, and Miguel will send me some artwork to share of drawings and full details of the renovation of our Plazita.

This victory, the "peoples victory" could not have happened without all the people, all the "Lagartistas" who came together, raising their voices and demanding that our cultural symbol remain as the center of our beloved Plazita. Most important "las voces del pueblo unido" and our actions honor the life works and legacy of Luis Jimenez!! Felicidades a TODOS!

The poster is the first "grito" that was organized by Chicano historian Miguel Juarez (yes I said Chicano because that is what he is and a PhD candidate in history at UTEP) and Ray Rojas! Gracias hermanos for planting the seed to "La Victoria de Los Lagartos".  I will do a more thorough blog on this, but this is such a "heart felt" victory on so many levels for our community that I had to post it!  YES!! SI SE PUEDE!!

BREAKING: What does real estate tycoon Bill Sanders, the Texans for Lawsuit Reform, and Ohio have in Common? Buying a Weaker Congressional Democrat? (Updated 2/13/12)

The Texans for Lawsuit Reform  (TLR) is duplicating their Texas efforts in Ohio as the Federal Elections Commission filings show a Political Action Committee with $1.7 million dollars, most from TEXANS, for a race between liberal Congressman Dennis Kucinich and 15 term incumbent Congresswoman Mary Kaptur (D-Toledo) because of redistricting lines that have paired Kucinich with the Democratic incumbent.  The REPUBLICAN money is to HELP Kucinich because he is believed a weaker candidate against a Republican in the General election.

El Paso's Bill Sanders gave $18,750. Why Mr. Sanders??  Leo Linbeck III a deep pocket Texans for Lawsuit Reform contributor, gave $775,000 to the federal pack named PAC Campaign for Primary Accountability - which is promoting Democrat Congressman Dennis Kucinich.  Smells fishy to me!!  


Mr. Bill Sander's friends, associates and contributors to his son-in-law Robert "Baytoe" O'Rourke's congressional campaign to unseat 8 term incumbent Congressman Silvestre Reyes include El Paso contributors to the Super PAC created in part by Bill Sanders.  They are: Campr II Partners $18,750 (entity tied to Bill Sanders), Jack Cardwell $6,250,  Miguel Fernandez $12,500, Ike Monty $500, Kirk Robison (Peter Piper Pizza) $4,000 (FEC records).  This means big bucks coming to El Paso against Reyes, not just through the normal campaign account of O'Rourke but washed and "clean" money that surpasses the congressional cap limits to a congressional candidate, but can be dumped on the head of an incumbent.

More to be added to this election campaign story.  But this story broke on my blog!!  Stay hooked up and subscribe!

(Story by Wayne Slater wslater@dallasnews.com "Business-friendly Texas Republicans spending big to promote Ohio Liberal Dennis Kucinich.  Why")

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"DOS PAJARITOS CANTANDO"

"Pio, Pio, Pio, Pio"

(You read it hear first) "DOS PAJARITOS CANTANDO" will be a regular post about what people are saying and doing out in the field....""two canaries singing" ;-) because in El Paso - THEY DO!! Big Big Big news, is El Paso's Mike Apodaca will be the 2012 Texas Field Director for Obama for America (OFA). Congratulations Mike!!  Mike has a Bachelors of Arts Degree in Political Science from UTEP he is the immediate past SDEC member for El Paso, Former President of the University Democrats at UTEP, Former Texas Young Democrats President and Former Deputy Field Director of OFA.  He is currently the PAC Treasurer of both the El Paso Young Democrats and Texas Young Democrats and has helped numerous elected officials in their elections or re-elections (including yours truly).  He is respected in Democratic circles throughout Texas and El Paso.  The Obama Campaign will have an El Pasoan lead the Texas Field Operations which likely means he will be moving to Austin and traveling throughout the state for the campaign.  An excellent opportunity for the young leader and outstanding choice by the Obama Campaign...........heard that Jaime Barceleau, the non-profit "go to person" in El Paso is gearing up to run for City Representative OR Mayor........he lives in City Representative Emma Acosta's District and has helped a lot of local poli's get elected. He is a credible candidate, with political allies (who?...tell you later), capacity to raise money, and is the beau of District Clerk Norma Favela..............At the county, County Commissioner Willie Gandara Jr., was seen fast and furious with some of his elves putting up signs in the Lower Valley, disputing the rumors that he is going to drop out of the race.  The corral of horses running for the open seat for House District 75 includes Commissioner Gandara, Hector Enriquez, Art Fierro, and Austin Democratic favorite Mary Gonzalez.  The filing deadline will reopen once the District Court in San Antonio provides guidelines and so it is possible that more horses will join the race, (don't be surprised if another female files)............County Judge Veronica Escobar is rumored to be headed to San Antonio for the Redistricting hearing to be held February 14th and 15th.  She has been a vocal supporter, in fact a formal campaign figure head of former City Rep. Robert "Beto" O'Rourke's Campaign to unseat  Congressman Silvestre Reyes, the 8 term incumbent.  Escobar has provided overwhelming public comment supporting the Republican drawn maps that benefit O'Rourke with precincts in the Northeast being included in the 16th Congressional District that remove most of the Lower Valley out of El Paso's congressional seat......various maps take precincts as far as the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo Reservation in Ysleta to Socorro, and further East communities of interest out of having an El Pasoan represent them in Congress, and some proposed maps place Horizon and East El Paso in the 23rd Congressional District represented by a San Antonio congressman......Lawyers for all interested parties are hammering out an agreement so that the delayed Primaries can be scheduled.  Will be interesting to see what her role and position will be in San Antonio and whether she will continue to grandstand against Democratic interests and enhanced Latino voter capacity.   Both Escobar and O'Rourke have openly supported the map that removes the Lower Valley from Congressional District 16. Neither has commented on the impact to Violations of the Voting Rights Act and current efforts to protect and preserve the Lower Valley precincts in El Paso. (Sigue "dos pajaritos cantando"..........)

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Review: "Reyes Works" Super Bowl Ad - I give it 5 STARS!!

REYES WORKS SUPERBOWL AD from Silvestre Reyes on Vimeo.

The El Paso Times wrote a campaign "fact checking" story on the commercial of Congressman Silvestre Reyes that was released during the half time of the most watched Superbowl in history. From a political campaign perspective the "Reyes Works" Superbowl Campaign Ad was 5 STARS!! 

Morris Pittle knocked it out of the park! The audience for the release was tremendous, especially for an old school football town like ours. The setting takes place throughout El Paso with an experienced senior member of congress, simply taking a drive through his congressional district in an American made Ford pick-up truck. Pittle seized the opportunity to ingrain into the minds of El Paso voters the running theme of the campaign "Reyes Works" and it works!! 

The congressman drives through his district with a calm and elder statesman look, camera shot moves to the steering wheel (message - the congressman is in control) with his wedding band (message - devoted husband, happily married man), drives the levees (message 2006 flood), drives UTEP (message - higher education), waves to everyday construction workers (love this), drives Spaghetti Bowl (message - transportation infrastructure), drives up Reynolds with the message of the medical school but the background shot is of the CHILDRENS HOSPITAL (clever Pittle), circles Paisano green project (message - "I'm a greenie too"), drives at night to the Plaza Theatre (message - supporter of the arts), and through Fort Bliss (message - biggest economic engine for El Paso) and references the construction of the new veteran hospital with a cool shot of the mountains (message is clearly to all veterans and military), shows a clear shot of the Missions (message - TO THE LOWER VALLEY) and closes with the water desalination project which is soooooooooo progressive as we are pioneers of water desalination in the nation.  This message was about trusting your congressman and here's why, Reyes works!  Demonstrates proven and trusted leadership.That's the message. The 60 second spot has his wife, and ends with the congressman at a cafe, just like you and me! 

Target market is the Democratic base, military voters which are conservative, but has enough for environmentalist, artsy "Plaza" type folks (Downtown crown jewel), ends with WATER....LA AGUA...who can live without water.  And....the ad ran during half time (good call Pittle)!

5 STARS FOR THE "Reyes Works" ad and Pittle's Pack.  (Oh yea, I will be reviewing political  ads I find interesting).

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Texas Redistricting Update: "The Deer with Two Antlers and County Judge Veronica Escobar"

(Page 19 Lines 9-13, Page 20 Lines 1-4)  Justice Sotomayor to Republican counselor Paul D. Clement in oral arguments before the Supreme Court of the United States on January 9, 2012:  

“Counsel, I’m not sure how I understand that, okay? As I looked at one of the El Paso maps, the enacted map created a antler-type district, a head and two unconnected antlers on top, nothing tying them together.

The district court went back to the benchmark and said this is the benchmark district; now I’m going to draw the districts around it that fall naturally, trying to stay within neutral principles of not dividing up the city more than I have to. And it came out with another district.

I don’t understand what principle, what legal principle, the district court was violating that makes what it did with that particular county wrong.  You’re saying they should have given deference to an oddly shaped district that changed a prior benchmark that’s been challenged as having been created specifically to minimize the Latino vote.

All of the challenges that relate to El Paso are very significant. The district court has already denied summary judgement on that.  Tell me what legal principle they violated, other than the deference principle that you’re relying upon?” 

How can it be that US Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor’s line of questioning, counters the public support of County Judge Veronica Escobar for the Republican drawn map that minimizes Latino voters? In this debate, there has been little to no discussion about the lost Lower Valley precincts, no media coverage on the fact that the Lower Valley has been easily awarded to the 23rd congressional district in maps that County Judge Escobar supports.  No mention has been made that she has dissed constituents in the historic Lower Valley, an 85% plus Latino area.  

The El Paso congressional seat created by the district court is first referenced by Justice Sotomayor as “the deer with two antlers” in oral arguments (pages 19 & 20, lines 17-18 and 22-23) . In her line of questioning, Justice Sotomayor’s statement is compelling “the challenges that relate to El Paso are very significant. The district court has already denied summary judgement on that.”  Unfortunately, the headlights have been shined upon dear County Judge Veronica Escobar due to her absolute willingness to expend all necessary political capitol to ensure one of her political allies is awarded the best congressional map for his congressional race against Congressman Silvestre Reyes, at the expense of a Democratic favored map that protects Latino voters and ensures the Lower Valley remains in the 16th Congressional District.

The “deer with two antlers” map that she opposed, was the district court created map that the Democratic parties agreed on.  Unfortunately, County Judge Veronica Escobar continues to demonstrate her lack of Democratic loyalty and understanding of the bigger picture for Latinos and Democrats in the state of Texas.  It is embarrassing when Democratic allies, such as the Mexican American Legal Defense Fund (MALDEF), Mexican American Legislative Caucus (MALC), NAACP, and LULAC are fighting to create maps that fairly create districts that reflect the increase in Texas’ population and also Latino voters in Texas, and yet our own Latina county judge is used by the Republican leaders of the state to argue for a map that minimizes Latino voter strength in Texas. She doesn’t like to be called out when she is wrong, but she hasn’t learned that pandering to a personal political agenda that will advance the political goals of the political faction she leads, only demonstrates her short sided vision for the community and the state.

The parties, all interested parties including the Democratic and Republican Party’s, were asked to “cut a deal” so that the extended primary to April 3, could happen.  It appears that those deals fell through this week, even though rumored side deals were being discussed and negotiated between the Attorney General and others.  

To date, most of the discussions we have heard in the El Paso media reflect the inflated remarks by County Judge Escobar about the loss of all of Ft. Bliss and precincts in the Northeast.  After embarrassing the County Commissioners Court for her remark, she later recanted and admitted that it was not all of Ft. Bliss. In a report by the El Paso Times on 12/15/11 “Escobar, Reyes disagree on Fort Bliss impact from redistricting” she stated in her ever scandalous manner “An El Paso person won’t represent El Paso’s military installation” which she later acknowledged was not correct, and then she is quoted as stating that the area she was referencing was mostly training ranges outside Loop 375 and adjacent land. Although loudly vocal about Fort Bliss, she has made absolutely no remarks to defend the Lower Valley precincts impacted by the Republican legislative map and the proposed Republican map that she supports.

And so, the Texas redistricting legal fight, is about the increase in population, about increasing congressional seats from 32 to 36 and drawing state house, senate and state board of education seats, about fairly addressing representation and apportionment of Latino and African American districts because Texas is a covered jurisdiction under Section 5 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965  due to the historical disenfranchisement of minorities in Texas!!  Further, the legislative map drawn by the Texas legislature must go through preclearance. The process known as preclearance requiries “the covered jurisdiction to demonstrate that it’s proposed change neither has the purpose nor will have the effect of denying or abridging the right to vote on account of race or color.”  That preclearance continues today, simultaneously with the  District Court action in Texas because the US Supreme Court unanimous decision stated that redistricting is primarily a job for elected state officials, and that the lower court had not paid enough deference to maps drawn by the Texas Legislature, sending the case back to San Antonio, which has major implications for the voting-rights case.


In addition, various civil rights organizations and groups brought forth a lawsuit in Texas claiming the State’s newly enacted maps violate the United States Constitution and the Voting Rights Act.  

County Judge Veronica Escobar, the on going legal arguments on redistricting are about LATINO AND AFRICAN AMERICAN VOTER REPRESENTATION. About Texas historical disenfranchisement of Latino and African American voters. This argument is bigger than you, and your personal desire of a map that is preferential to your candidate for congress!  The 2010 census data demonstrates that minority growth in Texas was 87% since the last census. And the white population in Texas has dropped to below 50% for the first time.The numbers are not going to reverse! !!                                                                                                                                                       Simply put, the redistricting court case before the Supreme Court sent the case back to the District Court to redraw the lines using the Texas Legislative maps as a “starting point”, the Texas Legislative redistricting map is at the Justice Department subject to review and preclearance, and the challenge to the incredible document called the Voting Rights Act of 1965 has monumental significance for not just Texas but every state in the union.  The San Antonio Court has set a hearing on February 15th for arguments and a status conference, but not for evidence. Further the court states that the parties “should assume” that the court “will announce interim maps before any decision is rendered” by the DC court and that the court “is not announcing a primary schedule at this time.” And so the April Primary is not likely occurring April 3 nor two weeks later.  

So when you see the Democratic “wolf in sheeps clothes” County Judge Veronica Escobar, tell her the “deer with two antlers” was the preferred map by a majority of Democrats.  Reminder her that she is a Democrat and Latina and that she represents a county and not just her political allies. Tell County Judge Veronica Escobar that she is behaving like a “deer in headlights” when she lies to the people.  And tell her she is going to have some ‘splaining to do to the voters in the historic Lower Valley because she has made no public comment, statement, or reference to keeping them in the 16th Congressional District.

From the Urban Dictionary:  1. “deer in headlights” - A mental state of high arousal caused by anxiety, fear, panic, surprise and/or confusion, or substance abuse. A person experiencing the "deer in headlights" syndrome often shows behavioral signs reminding those of a deer subjected to a car's headlights, such as widely opened eyes and a transient lack of motor reactions. (see definitions 2. and 3. for further Urban definition)

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Charlotte’s Web: Weaving the Path for the International Bridge at Yarbrough and Political Contributions to the Congressional Candidates

I have many thoughts about this blog post because it touches so many issues (1) money - “the honey of politics“, (2) political players - the small clique that controls (for the most part) the flow of big dollars to any candidate, (3) policy - how money and the players directly impact public policy and (4) how the people have been left out of the equation on how public dollars are distributed in El Paso County. So this “web” of politics (weaved ever so slowly), is what intertwines the complicated steps of building an international bridge along the Texas/US Border.  It is what weaves elected officials to the major political players and the big financial contributors in politics and how influence is paid for.

One of the major issues in the campaign for the 16th Congressional seat in El Paso is the permitting of the proposed International Bridge at Yarbrough.  It is a crown jewel project for the Paso Del Norte Group (PDNG). The bridge project concept and development has been a long term goal led by wealthy real estate tycoon Bill Sanders, one of the primary founding partners of the PDNG. Bill Sanders is also the father-in-law of candidate for Congress Robert “Baytoe” O’Rourke. Sanders and associated businesses such as the Verde Group have extensive business interests in and around the proposed bridge location, on both sides of the Rio Grande.  

The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is a public coordinating body that includes elected officials at the federal, state, and local level and was the initial organization charged with addressing the long term transportation goals and public transit needs of the greater El Paso Metroplex. This coordination includes transportation needs for Texas, New Mexico and Mexico. When I served on the MPO, community neighborhood organizations with the Ysleta Independent School District, and the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo voiced opposition to the construction of the International Bridge at Yarbrough.  During my tenure, a voting block was successful in tabling the efforts to move the bridge concept forward. It was always a contentious issue, however, Texas Transportation Commissioner Ted Houghton clearly supported the building of the bridge at Yarbrough, and made incremental moves to “repair and expand” Yarbrough from Gateway to the Rio.  

Prior to concluding my term in office, I was appointed Chair of an International Bridge Committee that included elected representatives from New Mexico to Tornillo. The committee was neutralized after Commissioner Ted Houghton appointed ANOTHER committee, headed by his loyal servant City Representative Steve Ortega because (I was told), he was concerned with the direction I would take my committee. Rep. Ortega led the newly created committee (that was redundant and an insult to the public process) and was given the authority by Houghton to lead the charge as he saw fit.  Ortega provided the important steps necessary to commissioning a study of all international bridges and in advancing the proposed International Bridge at Yarbrough.

One of the important steps of permitting an international bridge is the federal requirement that the Congressman representing the Congressional District, where a proposed international bridge is to be constructed, approve the project.  Here is where power, politics, and policy collide.  Congressman Silvestre Reyes, has supported the school district, the neighborhood organizations, the community groups, the church groups, and the Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo’s opposition to the  destruction of community and neighborhoods and has never signed off on the approval of an international bridge at Yarbrough.  

Beto O’Rourke along with his political allies, support the construction of the bridge.  Beto O’Rourke will sign off on the approval of an international bridge at Yarbrough if elected to Congress.  Beto O’Rourke has a conflict of interest because his wealthy father-in-law has business interests in and around the proposed bridge.  

So not surprising, the first contribution filing reports demonstrate - guess what??  A lot of big dollars, from political players to O’Rourke and not from political action committees. Wealthy friends and family of Sanders are giving to O’Rourke. PDNG co-founders and members interested in building the Bridge at Yarbrough, are giving to O‘Rourke. The powerful and rich, the ones interested in other projects that railroad community consensus because we are just the ignorant masses (that's what they say), are giving to O‘Rourke.

Congressional contributions for the first filing period show Robert “Beto” O’Rourke raising $221, 704 and Congressman Silvestre Reyes raising $177,344.  O’Rourke out raised Reyes this go around.  And what that tells me is, that this race is going to be a million dollar plus race because the political donors on both sides have the capacity to give the same amount they already have given or MORE!!  It means, that the Political Action Committees that have given to Congressman Reyes, will now give the maximum they can give, because he is the incumbent. It means we the voters, are going to be bombarded with propaganda; mail, robo calls, calls, radio, TV, and it’s not going to be nice.

Interestingly, the political donors list is somewhat divided amongst the power elites of the community. Both O’Rourke and Congressman Reyes have political power players, both have Republican support, both have elected officials contributing to their campaigns.  Congressman Reyes has more Democratic contributors by far, more political action committees.  The $44,000 difference in funds raised, Reyes can raise in a day. Money in the bank, Reyes has more.

O’Rourke’s list of contributors includes people connected to Bill Sanders and the PDNG and core Shapleigh supporters such as: Jim Cardwell, Bob Hoy, Jon Rogers, Richard Pearson, Bill Sanders, Christina Sanders, Louann Sanders, Marianna Sanders, Pablo Sanders, Joshua Hunt, Martha Hunt, Stacey Hunt, Ike Monty, Larry Francis, Carlos Gallinar, Melissa O’Rourke, Amy O’Rourke, Cynthia Karam, Ruben Guerra, Jack Chapman, Judy and Mike Wendt, Joel Guzman, Steve Fox, Thomas Niland, Mike Ainsa, Myrna Decker, Tracy Yellen, Risher Gilbert, Sam Legate (gave to both sides), Lina Ortega, Rosario Holguin (don’t know if it is Hector’s daughter or wife, Hector gave to Reyes), Sandra Almanzan, James Degroat, Ed Rodriguez, John Geske, Dusty Henson, and Robert Niland among others.  

Elected officials contributing to O’Rourke are former Senator Eliot Shapleigh, Thomas Niland (related to Rep. Niland), State Representative Marisa Marquez, and City Representative Steve Ortega.

Congressman Reyes contributors are mostly from the corral of the Democratic Party including Democratic organizations, political action committees, political players and some well known Republicans.  They include: Mike Dipp, Paul Dipp, Maria Teran, Dr. Luis Urrea II, Leonard Goodman, Hector Gutierrez, George Salom, Xavier Banales, Patricia Holland Branch, Tigua-Ysleta Del Sur Pueblo, Travis Johnson, Paul Foster, Woody Hunt, Rick Francis, Robert Brown, Enrique Moreno, Jon Abrams, Randy Kuykendall, Joe Lamantia III, Gerardo Licon, Dr. Joe Mendoza, Bobby Bowling, Randy Bowling, David Austin, Jack Cardwell, Richard Castro, Russ Vandenburg, Joe Wardy, George Yapor, Bob Wingo, Fred Loya, Fred Loya Jr., Richard Porras, Cesar Viramontes, Hector Delgado, Harold Hahn, Hector Holguin, Joe Spencer, Robert Skov, Dolph Quijano, Belen Robles, Emma Schwartz, Stuart Schwartz, El Paso Young Democrats, Black El Paso Democrats, El Paso Democratic Party, and the Texas Democratic Party.  

Elected officials contributing to Congressman Reyes include District Attorney Jaime Esparza, Commissioner Willie Gandara Jr., and Judge Gonzalo Garcia.

The Democratic contributor base of El Paso is overwhelmingly with Congressman Silvestre Reyes. Many Republican power players in the community stayed with the incumbent but have close relationships with O’Rourke (ex., Woody Hunt is with Reyes but his son is with O'Rourke"). But the majority of individual contributions are from Democratic contributors.

O’Rourke’s contributor base is overwhelmingly from the Bill Sanders/PDNG big pockets and Republicans. His Democratic base is from the Shapleigh/Escobar contributor base.  

It’s just the first report, but “money is the honey of politics”.  The will of the people will be decided by the election that is funded by the rich and power based contributors, whom control how much money someone gets, to deliver a political message.  The public policy decisions are dependent on who is successful. The International Bridge at Yarbrough is a big issue in this congressional race, and the media isn’t even talking about it.  And so Charlotte’s web continues to weave it’s way…..

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