El Paso Politics

I’m gonna say this upfront so nobody gets it twisted: I need to start showing up to Northeast meetings more often. Because if you think the Lower Valley knows how to throw down at a community meeting, the Northeast said “hold my local-establishment hot beverage.” Those meetings? Not boring. Not polite. Not your little rubber-stamp, nod-your-head, clap-on-command situation. Nah. They’re loud, messy, passionate… and honestly, exactly what democracy is supposed to look like when people actually care. And from what I heard, last night did not disappoint. So here’s the scene: Northeast Democrats meeting, decent turnout, and there’s a hot Justice of the Peace runoff race brewing. Naturally, candidates get invited to speak. Pretty standard. Pretty fair. Except - of course - someone had a problem. Because Judge Brian Haggerty didn’t show up. Now let me translate that real quick: he was invited… and chose not to go. That’s it. That’s the whole story. Nobody blocked him at the door. Nobody “sile...

A candidate that is a close political ally of controversial mayor of San Elizario, Texas Miguel Chacon, appears to have violated the 501(C)3 tax-exempt status of not one, but TWO non-profit organizations in San Elizario.  San Elizario is currently undergoing an election involving the mayor and his slate of political allies.  Here is a political ad that was shared on a San Elizario page by an admin who is another political ally of the mayor: The ad very clearly depicts the image of a candidate, the inclusion of the names of two non-profits Ayuda Inc and Familias Triumfadoras, and a plea to vote for the candidate - Debra Venegas. The non-profits and the plea to vote for the candidate are outlined in red with red arrows pointing in their direction. Those do not appear on the original post and are added to emphasize the violation.  (Additionally the portion pleading to vote for Venegas is also a violation of Texas Election Code because it does not include the word "fo...

Alright, I told you I was gonna bring receipts, and unlike certain elected officials in this town, I don’t show up empty-handed and hope nobody asks follow-up questions. So here it is. MAGA’s favorite candidate in a Democratic race right here in El Paso is… sitting down? Good. Justice of the Peace Lucilla Najera. Yeah, I can already hear the objections. “Nah, you’re reaching.” “That’s made up.” “Show proof.” Relax. I came prepared. Let’s start with Exhibit A: Darrel Mond. Now, if you’ve been around El Paso politics long enough, you’ve probably seen this guy floating around events like he’s on a frequent flyer program for ribbon cuttings. And wouldn’t you know it, he and Najera seem to have a standing RSVP together. Event after event. Photo after photo. Smiles, handshakes, the whole “we go way back” energy. At first glance, you might think, “Okay, maybe he’s just another Democrat supporter.” That’s the trick. Because like a lot of Republicans in El Paso who like to play...

There are bad campaign strategies. There are questionable campaign strategies. And then there’s whatever the hell is going on right now in this runoff. Because somehow, in a Democratic race, we’ve reached the point where the loudest, most unhinged MAGA folks in El Paso have picked their favorite Democrat. Let that sink in. The same people who think every election they lose is “rigged,” who treat Facebook comment sections like a contact sport, who couldn’t find the Democratic platform if it was taped to their forehead… those folks are now organizing, posting, and cheerleading for a candidate in a Democratic runoff. And not quietly either. Not subtly. They’re out here waving pom-poms like it’s Friday night lights. Now, if you’re a candidate and you wake up one morning and realize the MAGA crowd has adopted you, there are only two possible reactions: You immediately create distance so fast it gives people whiplash Or… you lean into it like it’s a good thing Guess which one we’re seeing. H...

This story isn't going away.  What That Press Conference Actually Told Us About El Paso Police...actually sounds familiar. In fact it reminds me of the ol' saying, the cover-up is worse than the crime.  On April 4, a verified Iranian news account posted video of El Paso police arresting Kelcee Hufford in her living room. By April 10, it had millions of views. Let that sink in. El Paso wasn’t just trending locally. We became an example used by foreign media to argue that the United States has no standing to lecture anyone on human rights. That’s the context Chief Peter Pacillas walked into. And in about fifteen minutes, he somehow managed to make things worse. Before the chief spoke, his public information officer told reporters to keep questions limited to “this incident and this incident only.” That wasn’t a casual request. It was a line in the sand. And it was clear that they know there is a trend of police violence, otherwise there would be no need to start that ...