State Rep Marquez May Have Opponent in 2012 Primary

From The Lion Star Blog by Jaime Abeytia

Rumors have been flying around for a while now about a possible challenger for State Rep Marisa Marquez since prominent El Paso lawyer Mike Torres decided not to run in the last election.

The name that has been floating around most recently, and most often in El Paso political circles is Robert Grijalva. Grijalva is currently the right hand of State Rep Chente Quintanilla but previously worked for former State Representative Paul Moreno.

Since I'd hear the talk of Grijalva as a potential candidate, I thought I'd look in to it a little more. I called Grijalva around lunch time today to get comment on the issue. Most of the conversation was centered around the fact that he's going to be really busy helping Quintanilla in this session of the legislature and he said that's his main focus and priority.

But he did have this to say about the rumors..."Lots of people are asking me to run...I haven't made a decision yet. When I do, I will make the best decision for the community."

Analysis

State Rep Marisa Marquez is going to be a formibale opponent and in the driver's seat for re-election. As you no-doubt remember Marquez defeated long-time State Rep Paul Moreno. In an unusual twist even for El Paso politics, the Moreno clan, not-so-lovingly referred to as the Moreno Mafia by some, and State Rep Marisa Marquez supported Naomi Gonzalez in her bid to unseat State Rep Norma Chavez.

Grijalva used to work for Moreno and one would assume that the Moreno's would be inclined to support him, but time will tell if that's actually the case. Grijalva is a guy who knows Austin, knows the local politicos and campaign donators. He's not a guy that has made it a habit to run around burning bridges and will no-doubt benefit from some Moreno loyalists.

The two big questions are recognition within the district and knowledge of grassroots operation.

Marquez is no longer an inexperienced campaigner. She doens't get rattled in public very easily and has been putting her time in within the party. She has one session under her belt and will be going in to another session with talk that she may end up on the Appropriations Committee, which is a pretty important committee, even if you are in the minority.