Political People to Watch in 2011
The El Paso Times did a piece over the weekend of people to watch in the next year. They only had one politico on their list, so I compiled a quick list of people I think to keep an eye on over the next year.
1. The Delegation – We have a pretty new delegation and we have a Republican in the delegation again. So all political eyes will be on the delegation, how they get along, and what they get done. I'm not sure why the Times chose to put the spotlight on Rep Naomi Gonzalez, other than shameless self-promotion because she will be blogging for them. Given the number of Republicans in the legislature in this session, there really won't be a substantive vote for Gonzalez and its doubtful she will have any major legislation. But she does represent a much needed change. The people I'll be watching will be Dee Margo, Chente Quintanilla, and Joe Pickett. Pickett because I'm interested to see how he herds the cats, Quintanilla because I want to see what kind of use he makes out of his seniority, and Dee Margo because I want to see if his campaign argument of having a Republican in the delegation would be a benefit to El Paso holds water.
2. County Judge Veronica Escobar – With budget challenges and an ever-present public corruption scandal looming, I'm curious to see how she leads the county. Her political enemies will be looking for any opportunity to make hay and she will have to get used to that, although she's been dealing with that since she was elected to her first seat on Commissioner's Court. Theresa Caballero will likely run and lose for something else again and will likely run against not just her opponent, but will more than likely run against who she perceives are her enemies, which would include Escobar (and a shit load of other people).
3. Pastor Brown & El Paso for Equality – The two groups will likely be the dominant discussion over the campaign season for the municipal election. It's very likely that the two groups will eventually spawn a couple of candidates, if not in this election, then in the next. Actually, one key member of the Pastor Brown faction is already planning a run against Ann Morgan Lily.
4. Silver & Beto ¬ The two most commonly know by their nicknames will be having a year to watch. The Congressman because he will be in the minority but will likely stay in a leadership position. He no-doubt has his eye on a potential challenger in the near future. That challenger is likely to be Beto O'rourke who thought about it in the last election and then changed his mind. But the fact that he's not running for re-election says me might be gearing up to take on the Congressman in the Democratic primary.
5. The Staff – Probably one of the most under-reported political developments over the last few years are the staffers of the various elected officials, particularly on the Democratic side. They are, again to steal a lyric from Radio La Chusma, Young, Gifted, and Brown. The El Paso Democratic Party should pay attention to these people, and how they are treated, because in the very near future, they are going to be the leadership around here. And guess what, they are smart, progressive, and not at all interested in business as usual. Its a new world, get used to it and get used to them. I should note here that the Congressman's office is the one that is the most stacked with this type of talent and there was a dust-up late last year about a veteran staffer toying with the idea of running for a legislative seat. That has since been put to rest, but it supports my point about keeping on eye on future leadership from staff.
6. The Has Beens – El Paso has turned the page on a lot of the personalities that weighed heavily in our local political scene over the last 10+ years. These former heavyweights will likely stick around and try to influence the local party structure and stay relevant until they decide to try to make a political come back or advance an underling. Lets see who does what.
7. YD's & LNRC – Both parties have an auxiliary to keep an eye on. Why? Because they have the volunteer base to influence an election and they will likely birth a few candidates in the very near future.
8. The Chairs – Danny Anchondo and Tom Homesley, the Chair of the Dems and Repubs respectively, have a lot on their plate. Anchondo needs to regroup, re-energize, and reload the coffers. El Paso always delivers for the TDP, its time he start grabbing them by the short and curlies and demanding some more resources out here. Homesely needs to continue to expand the influence of the GOP and continue to push for higher caliber candidates.
1. The Delegation – We have a pretty new delegation and we have a Republican in the delegation again. So all political eyes will be on the delegation, how they get along, and what they get done. I'm not sure why the Times chose to put the spotlight on Rep Naomi Gonzalez, other than shameless self-promotion because she will be blogging for them. Given the number of Republicans in the legislature in this session, there really won't be a substantive vote for Gonzalez and its doubtful she will have any major legislation. But she does represent a much needed change. The people I'll be watching will be Dee Margo, Chente Quintanilla, and Joe Pickett. Pickett because I'm interested to see how he herds the cats, Quintanilla because I want to see what kind of use he makes out of his seniority, and Dee Margo because I want to see if his campaign argument of having a Republican in the delegation would be a benefit to El Paso holds water.
2. County Judge Veronica Escobar – With budget challenges and an ever-present public corruption scandal looming, I'm curious to see how she leads the county. Her political enemies will be looking for any opportunity to make hay and she will have to get used to that, although she's been dealing with that since she was elected to her first seat on Commissioner's Court. Theresa Caballero will likely run and lose for something else again and will likely run against not just her opponent, but will more than likely run against who she perceives are her enemies, which would include Escobar (and a shit load of other people).
3. Pastor Brown & El Paso for Equality – The two groups will likely be the dominant discussion over the campaign season for the municipal election. It's very likely that the two groups will eventually spawn a couple of candidates, if not in this election, then in the next. Actually, one key member of the Pastor Brown faction is already planning a run against Ann Morgan Lily.
4. Silver & Beto ¬ The two most commonly know by their nicknames will be having a year to watch. The Congressman because he will be in the minority but will likely stay in a leadership position. He no-doubt has his eye on a potential challenger in the near future. That challenger is likely to be Beto O'rourke who thought about it in the last election and then changed his mind. But the fact that he's not running for re-election says me might be gearing up to take on the Congressman in the Democratic primary.
5. The Staff – Probably one of the most under-reported political developments over the last few years are the staffers of the various elected officials, particularly on the Democratic side. They are, again to steal a lyric from Radio La Chusma, Young, Gifted, and Brown. The El Paso Democratic Party should pay attention to these people, and how they are treated, because in the very near future, they are going to be the leadership around here. And guess what, they are smart, progressive, and not at all interested in business as usual. Its a new world, get used to it and get used to them. I should note here that the Congressman's office is the one that is the most stacked with this type of talent and there was a dust-up late last year about a veteran staffer toying with the idea of running for a legislative seat. That has since been put to rest, but it supports my point about keeping on eye on future leadership from staff.
6. The Has Beens – El Paso has turned the page on a lot of the personalities that weighed heavily in our local political scene over the last 10+ years. These former heavyweights will likely stick around and try to influence the local party structure and stay relevant until they decide to try to make a political come back or advance an underling. Lets see who does what.
7. YD's & LNRC – Both parties have an auxiliary to keep an eye on. Why? Because they have the volunteer base to influence an election and they will likely birth a few candidates in the very near future.
8. The Chairs – Danny Anchondo and Tom Homesley, the Chair of the Dems and Repubs respectively, have a lot on their plate. Anchondo needs to regroup, re-energize, and reload the coffers. El Paso always delivers for the TDP, its time he start grabbing them by the short and curlies and demanding some more resources out here. Homesely needs to continue to expand the influence of the GOP and continue to push for higher caliber candidates.
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