El Paso Politics

I spend a lot of time holding my own Party accountable. If you only read my stuff, you might think Democrats are the main attraction in the local political circus. Let me clarify something. For all our flaws, dysfunction, group chats that should have never existed, and candidates who think Canva is a personality trait, the local GOP is an absolute clown car with bald tires and expired registration. I just do not talk about them much. Why? Because they are not relevant. I treat them like I treat my haters. If you are not relevant to the outcome, I forget you exist. Out of sight, out of mind. Like MySpace. But apparently I have been neglecting the comedy gold mine happening across the aisle. So let’s talk about the fight for Chair of the El Paso County Republican Party. The contenders are Al Lujan and Mike Aboud. I do not know much about Lujan. Aboud, however, is the current Chair. And how do I say this gently? Meh, I guess I will not. He is not very bright. No...

Let’s start with this truth: family values has been a slogan slapped on election signs, Fox News rants, and campaign mailers for decades. But the deeper you dig under the paint and gloss, the more you find it’s a brand, not a code of conduct. It’s cheap moral theater. When family values gets measured by who you criticize in a rally speech instead of how you treat real people with real vulnerability, that brand collapses. That’s exactly what’s happening with Tony Gonzales right now. According to the San Antonio Express-News, a former staffer says that Rep. Gonzales had a romantic affair in 2024 with his regional district director, Regina Santos-Aviles, and that the relationship was an open secret among staff. A text message from Santos-Aviles confirmed she told colleagues she’d had “an affair with our boss.” The congressman has denied the claims publicly. This situation is about more than an alleged affair. It exposes a brutal power imbalance that is baked into congressional offices ...

Somewhere in El Paso, a group of well-meaning LULAC folks looked at a candidate forum and said: “You know what this needs? A ticket booth.” Yes. You read that right. LULAC Council 132A is hosting a candidate forum on February 20th at EPCC. Cool. We need forums. We need more civic engagement. We need people to actually hear from candidates instead of just voting based on yard signs and vibes. But here’s the twist: They’re charging admission. No mammes. First of All — Which LULAC Is This? Before we even get to the price tag, can someone explain why there are 47 different LULAC councils in El Paso? Every time I blink there’s a new one. I don’t know if it’s bylaws, old-school beef, or somebody didn’t like how someone else folded the flautas at a banquet in 1987. Its like geriatric gang wars. But okay. Council 132A. Got it. They’re hosting a candidate forum. That alone? Not groundbreaking. I personally have my opinions about Latino organizations platforming candidates who...