Dilemma: District 77, Democrats, Dean of Latinos in US legislatures.
The “dilemma” in the Texas House race for District 77 just got more complicated. I have been trying to be reflective and satirical in my blog writings to date, not repeat the same-ole-same ole, that other people in town write about in politics. To date I have based my analysis on data, personal opinion and not just because certain individuals are known political enemies. In fact, I poked fun at County Judge Veronica Escobar and the faction she leads, and named them “The Veronicuns” for the cunning and deceptive political maneuvers that they have mastered while in office. I am humored when I see the name pop over the internet all over the place….if the shoe fits wear it sista…just saying, and I put antlers on her head, to demonstrate how non-Democratic she really is and how she will make policy decisions based on what is best for her political faction, instead of what is best for the community and DEMOCRATS. (They are a bunch of political bullies).
And so, the District Court has produced maps, opened filing dates, and thrown El Paso citizens around like a dust rag after a dust storm (and you know how dusty our houses get after our famous desert dust storms). The Lower Valley, where El Paso’s original District seat was established was ripped from Congressional District 23 and awarded to a San Antonio congressman (will write more about this later). And somewhat miraculously, Joe Moody’s residence now is located in Rep. Marisa’s Marquez district (really was it “miraculously“).
DEMOCRATIC DISTRICT HISTORY
District 77 is a historic, Democratic district that was historically represented by former State Representative Paul Moreno. He served for over 40 years as the representative of the Democratic District, and became the Dean of Latinos not only in Texas politics, serving the longest time in the Texas legislature, but also in US politics. As I have stated in the past, I was involved in the race to crown the “Monstro” Marisa Marquez to replace the historical King and Kingmaker Paul Moreno (“Monstro” is a nickname she has earned in various circles mentioned by former staffers, Democratic wonks, political observers in Austin and El Paso, and yes me of course, because of her behavior). I have also stated in a past blog, that I had the opportunity to apologize to Paul and believe that the issue is resolved between us (maybe not his family). I know he knows my words were sincere (and I paid the price too).
I understood finally the significance of Paul Moreno sitting among the giants in Texas Latino politics. Among his former deskmate and our colleague State Rep. Irma Rangel, among former Congressman Henry B. Gonzalez…among the giants. And although, he did not have a stellar legislative record for filing and passing legislation, he had historic landmark floor speeches that he gave on the most controversial issues to face the legislature, and he was known to vote purely based on his Democratic conscience, never willing to cut a deal for the community or anyone, but stay truly focused on Democratic values. He has his political shortcomings, his failures as a leader (as we all do), but he also should have had the right to exit as he wanted too. And he didn’t. "Monstro" nor anyone in El Paso will take his place in US Latino politics as far as tenure, nor first of the firsts!
Paul Moreno, the legendary Paul Moreno, was just a boy from the Barrio, became a veteran after doing what that generation all did, go to war and defend our country with a bunch of homies from the barrio. Back then they called themselves “vatos” or “carnal” and they watched each others back. As they returned and resumed to find a place in their hometown, some went to college on GI bill, others moved away, started businesses, became plumbers electricians etc., Paul went into politics and was confined to a wheel chair after a swimming accident. With his famed co-political rock star, Alicia Chacon (more on her in another blog), they created the legendary Paul Moreno/Alicia Chacon political era.
And so “los vatos del Barrio” all watched the rise of just someone “from la Bowie” become a political war hero in POLITICS! I think because Paul was who he was and he never forgot that, became the reason he was willing to die on the sword for Democratic issues. Paul didn’t just read about racism, he lived it, he didn’t read about the poll tax, he paid it, he didn’t just fight the “White political elite” structure of the era he and Alicia broke into it, they beat "them" at their own game and with “LA RAZA”. He paid his dues, and there is an entire active voting generation out there not only in his District, but in El Paso, that know Paul Moreno - the Democratic GIANT!
DEE PROBLEM FOR MARISSA
And so the newest member of the “Veronicuns” State Representative Marisa Marquez has a huge problem with Democratic credentials and Democratic identity in a Democratic District, that was represented by the most Democratic State Representative to hold office in the Texas legislature in El Paso (Paul Moreno). She didn't earn her political stripes, she bought them.
And observing the local Democratic Party politics, the “Veronicuns” are clearly showing their “wolf in sheep’s clothes” Republican side to a very torn and beat up Democratic Party as a result of the current indictments, corruption scandals, and pending investigations. There are Democrats in the party who want real Democrats to begin the healing process, not political factions that “run as Democrats” and then take their marching orders from the “mastas” of the community who don’t care about the El Paso Super Minority Majority! US - WE are the 82%! Latinos, Hispanos, Xicanos, Indigenos, Mexican Americans!! (Hey OCCUPY EL PASO.....what about us the 82%??)
Add to the complexity of the issue, the most beloved new, young, Democratic “rock star” from El Paso to emerge from Democratic royalty (Joe Moody - son of respected Judge Bill Moody and Maggie Moody) is now in “Monstro’s“ district. He became the one that all Democratic leaders wanted to mentor, shelter, protect, and encourage. I was one of those who wanted to make sure he didn’t do any of my mistakes, and always worked and encouraged him as he had the best “Democratic Freshman from El Paso” year any Democratic freshman has ever produced. (He would later be punished by political factions, for not abandoning me in my race for District 76 by the Shapleighites and Veronicuns who did the minimal they could to save Moody in his race against the Republican Dee Margo, because they themselves are so self serving with their blunt nepotism and cronyism, even though they knew what an outstanding Democrat Moody was and how he had earned so much respect in one session).
I posted on my blog, a photo that was sent to me of Paul Moreno with Aaron Barraza at a fundraiser at the home of Barraza. The legend, with the young prodigy. And most recently received word of the unverified commitment of Paul Moreno to remain not only supportive of Aaron Barraza's candidacy to be the young “Prince” of District 77, but to campaign for him regardless if Moody gets into the race.
Marisa Marquez on the other hand (the “MONSTRO”) has a questionable reputation with capitol and local staffers, sending them on wild "MORNING" goose chases "AFTER" a night on the town (allegedly), talking down to political operatives in Austin, lobbyists, shaking them down regarding their past relationship with me (I’m gone….I’m not relevant…you don’t have to do that “MONSTRO” you are only getting MORE enemies and verifying what everyone else is saying about you and that is you are an out of control MONSTRO). Add to that, she had no Democratic credentials when she began, in fact Lilly Ruiz and I created them for her, Ruiz even forced her to go do the historic Hillary Clinton UTEP community "meet and greet" with a full stadium because she didn‘t want to go. I remember another time at “Monstros” house, Ruiz blocked the front door and forced her to go to her room and change clothes because she wanted to block walk in less than appropriate clothes for a candidate to the Texas legislature (it was comical then to witness). The truth, is the first week of the early vote, Lilly Ruiz quit and I made her come back because as I told her “it was my political capitol”. It was the biggest mistake of my political career.
And so the Republican funded "Monstro Marquez", who bought her seat to the legislature with her Daddy’s big campaign loan, and then got big bucks and political campaign staff flown in from Austin from the Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR) who then primped, prepped, scripted, and funded the little “monstro” from Notre Dame. Sad truth, Lilly and I finished the campaign the night of the election and never spoke to Monstro again!!
So, the “Monstro” has two REAL DEMOCRATS possibly running against her. A young Hispanic UT grad, who went to Cathedral High School Aaron Barraza - the all American young man from El Paso who has the support and endorsement of the stalwart Democratic legend from El Paso Paul Moreno, (Moreno by the way, lost by about the same number of votes that I lost...the ole "what goes around comes around conspiracy theory" :-D). And then you have the Democratic young, dynamite, beloved Joe Moody with full Democratic credentials, now in “Monstro’s” district.
So the dilemma is grand. District 77, the Democratic district, with the Democratic legend supporting the up and coming Aaron Barraza, and the Democratic Joe Moody with all his true Democratic credentials possibly entering the race in District 77 means....
Means, the most perfect of storms! Means to me that Marisa "Monstro" Marquez could possibly not even make a run-off. And a run-off race for District 77 between Barraza and Moody means District 77 is back in true Democratic hands!
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=MONSTRO
Urban Dictionary 1. "monstro" - large or exceptional.
"That bottle is monstro."
"Shut up bitch. I got a monstro headache."
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