Member Confirms Resignation of MAD Executive Committee

From The Lion Star Blog

A member of the Executive Committee of the newly-elected Camino Real Mexican American Democrats confirms that most of the officers and all of the Executive Committee with the exception of State Representative Norma Chavez, have resigned from MAD.

Alfredo Longoria, the Secretary of the Camino Real Mexican American Democrats says he turned in his resignation in writing last week to the newly-elected Chairman (and Mayor of Socorro) Willie Gandara Sr.

Longoria also confirmed that the Chair and Vice-Chair Dora Oaxaca (senior staffer of County Commissioner Willie Gandara Jr.)also resigned.

Though not specific as to why he resigned, Longoria did state that he felt the organization had "...been mismanaged over the last 8 years..."

Longoria also said something that may shed some light on his reasons for leaving the organization. He said, "...I felt defrauded. I gave MAD my money and it was spent on other purposes..."

Longoria has been active in the El Paso Democratic Party for a few years now working on campaigns including State Representative Norma Chavez and State Representative Marisa Marquez.

A source close to the situation that spoke only on the condition of anonymity was more specific. "It was recently revealed that the organization was created as sole proprietorship instead of as a non-profit...other clubs in town are non-profits and we were all under the impression that we were as well...we have questions about whether or not taxes have been paid and what reporting needs to be done..."

Chavez was previously the organizations Chair and in 2008 she stepped down and Lily Ruiz was elected Chair. At that point, Chavez became the group's Treasurer. Chavez was recently re-elected Treasurer.

More to follow...

(Editor's Note: I was previously a member of Camino Real MAD and joined in 2008 during the Presidential election. I resigned earlier this year due to the way the MAD endorsement process in the most recent election was conducted.)