Black El Paso Democrats Annual Dinner

Large crowd, but noticeably smaller than last year. I was surprised to only see one candidate for County Commissioner Precinct 1. El Paso County Democratic Party Chairman Danny Anchondo was the only candidate in that race that was in attendance. The other candidates, Liza Montelongo and Jaime Romo were not in attendance. Leon will be a candidate if he can get on the ballot and he was also not in attendance.

Three of the four Congressional candidate were in attendance, Congressman Reyes, former City Representative Beto O'Rourke, and Jerome Tilghman. The crowd was clearly supportive of Congressman Reyes and the speaker, a congressional colleague, was very complimentary of the Congressman's time in Washington.

After the awards were given out to the local Democratic Party activists, State Reps Gonzalez and Marquez gave an award to Don Williams. Since it was on the same night as the Oscar's, the two Reps went with the theme and did the announcement of the award like a nomination segment on the award show.

Pretty funny stuff.

Gonzalez and Marquez left right after they gave the award and before the keynote speech and I think O'Rouke left around the same time. Which was probably a good idea because it would have been a little awkward because of the fact that the keynote spent a lot of time praising her colleague.

Despite the fact that it looked like a smaller crowd this year, there were a lot of candidates in attendance.

El Paso County Commissioner Precinct 3 candidate and former Reyes Press Secretary Vince Perez rushed up front to take pictures of his girlfriend, and Reyes Interim Press Secretary Claudia Ordaz, when she was given the Outstanding Communication Award (won by Yours Truly last year). After she was given an award, Perez gave her a kiss. First bit of PDA from the two.

At which point some smart-alike in the crowd got everyone else to say “ahhh......”.

Perez turned redder than the Rudy's Barbecue sign on Yarborough.

Another interesting observation. Congressman Reyes was on one side of the head table and County Judge Veronica Escobar was on the other. I don't think the two crossed paths the entire evening. She did find herself sitting next to El Paso County Democratic Party Chairman Danny Anchondo for a while.

In what I call the WTF moment of the evening, Ann Morgan Lily was in attendance. I didn't think she knew where to find a Democratic function in this town. She presented the guest speaker with a key to the city.

(Note to self – figure out a way to get a key to the city).

The Mistress of Ceremonies was great. She kept the show moving and had great presence. I'm not sure, but I think the actually called the Congressman “Dog” before she realized it was the Congressman.

Quote of the night:

“I work the street corners for Elvia Hernandez” - Don Williams.

I was glad to see some of the people that were awarded finally be recognized. Kathy Coronado, Ouisa Davis, Sebastian Martinez, and the Hernandez' along with a host of others.

Kathy just might be the classiest lady in El Paso. She was a candidate's spouse and she wrote the book on how to comport oneself as a dignified and respected woman while on the campaign trail. Things can get rough out there on the campaign trail, but she was always classy. She's instinctively nurturing to those around her and a worker. She's not afraid to get her hands dirty and do the mundane campaign work. Hell, she's even organized barbecues for campaign workers (including the opposition) near the end of early voting.

Ouisa Davis. When you are public person because of your political beliefs you are a magnate for criticism. And in this town haters go after people willing to voice their opinion like its an Olympic sport. I know a small piece of some of the crap she probably has to put up with. But she is a strong voice for this community and will take the stand on her position even if its not always popular. I respect and identify with her.

Sebastian Martinez. Talk about long-over due recognition for his work. Bravo and I think its poignant that it was the Black El Paso Democrats that recognized him, despite the fact that he has been a member of a host of other organizations in this town. Shame on them for not recognizing his contribution, but kudos to the Black El Paso Democrats for doing so.

The Hernandez's. Worker bees. I met them during the last election on the bus to the State Democratic Convention. When we made a stop I saw them and I realized we were really loud in the back of the bus and I immediately apologized to them. They told me I didn't need to apologize, they found us entertaining. Ever since then I noticed that if there was an election, the Hernandez's were involved. They have a kid a Yale, another went to USC, and two others graduated from college. And Irene ( I never call her by her first name) always makes sure I get something to eat when I am covering something. Even when I'm having a crappy day, if I see the Hernandez's at an event I immediately cheer up. Good people and hard workers.

There were plenty more that were deserving of their awards, but those are the people that jumped out in my mind the most.

And I have to say – on a personal note, I have a lot of respect for Don Williams. He awards people for what they do, not their popularity. And not whether or not they are even nice to him. I know for a fact that some of the people that were awarded Sunday night and in previous years, weren't always the nicest people to Don. You gotta respect someone who is often the shortest guy in the room, but almost always the bigger person.

The food was good. The desert was great! The rolls however, well lets just say if we ever run out of artillery shells, I know how we can make due until we can resupply.