Party Releases Formal Letter Rebuking Reps Gonzalez and Marquez
This is probably going to send Max Powers scattering to post a flurry of comments, which should be entertaining all by itself.
PRESS RELEASE
El Paso County Democratic Party Denounce Marquez and Gonzalez
State legislators Marisa Marquez and Naomi Gonzalez are two of the youngest, brightest and most effective lawmakers that have served El Paso at the state legislature. They both have overcome obstacles and public doubt and hold much promise for continuing leadership for El Paso and the state; however, in a season where extreme elements of the Republican Party have a super-majority in the Texas legislature, Marquez and Gonzalez have taken upon themselves to risk their integrity, reputations and credibility to support a "lock step" Republican nominee in the candidacy of Dee Margo instead of the viable, proven Democratic nominee, Joe Moody, for the position of District 78.
It is important to gain as many Democratic seats as possible to combat the Republican budgetary attacks on our schools, teachers and systems; the rollback of support for medicaid for our underprivileged children and elders; the attack and roll back of funding for our healthcare facilities and doctors; the denial of women's reproductive rights, sonogram bills and the refusal of federal funds to provide more healthcare to a state that has more uninsured citizens than forty six other states. The Republicans and candidate Dee Margo in particular created and voted for an oppressive Voter ID law and produced racially discriminatory redistricting plans that both have been stricken down by federal courts.
While local, petty and personal reasons may be given to oppose Joe Moody, that is no excuse to jeopardize the forward motion of an entire state and to betray the principles of our party. Perhaps there is another unspoken, unwritten motivation behind this treachery-MONEY. While in the past Marquez and Gonzalez have voted predominately the party line, perhaps one of their donors, knowing that Margo is in danger of losing his seat, has called in its markers. Texans for Lawsuit Reform (TLR) contributions to these two may have finally come home to roost. It is apparent that under these circumstances that both Marquez and Gonzalez may eventually have to become "R"epublicans in order to stay politically viable.
Party officials such as Precinct Chairs, County Chairs, State Democratic Executive Committee members (SDECs), State Chair and National Committee members are subject to "Removal" for supporting Republicans.
Article III, H of the Rules of the Texas Democratic Party state:
H. Removal From Office For Endorsing Opposing Party or Candidate
1. A Party Officer shall be removed from office if during the current term of office such officer publicly supports or endorses an opposing party or nominee of an opposing party, a person seeking the nomination of an opposing party, or a non-Democratic candidate seeking an office in an election which candidates may file by party affiliation and a Democrat is seeking the office in question.
2. The terms "publicly supports" and " endorses" shall include, but not be limited to, serving on a campaign committee; giving financial support, including contributing money or its equivalent such as equipment loans, services or supplies; willingly and knowingly allowing the officer's name to be used in any kind of letter, public endorsement, news release, or advertisement; or actively soliciting votes by making a public appearance or a door-to-door solicitation of votes.
3. The following procedure shall be used for removal of a Party Officer:
(a) A complaint may be filed only by a qualified voter who must be a Democrat and who resides in the political subdivision represented by the subject officer.
(b) Complaints concerning a State Party Officer or SDEC member, a National Committee member, or a Senatorial District Chair or a County Chair shall be filed with the State Chair. Complaints concerning other Party Officers (except convention delegates) shall be forwarded to the County Chair.
Surely, elected officials who are disloyal and who betray the common trust to the party, its constituents and candidates should suffer some sort of rebuke and/or censure.
With deep regret and profound disappointment in the actions taken by Marquez and Gonzalez and the decisions they made in this situation, we, the County Executive Committee of the El Paso County Democratic party, publicly admonish, rebuke and censure them and all other Democratic officers, elected officials, candidates and nominees who publicly support, encourage and/or endorse; or, willingly and knowingly allow their names to be used in any kind of letter, public endorsement, news release or advertisement in support or endorsement of any Republican or other political party when there is a qualified Democratic nominee also vying for that position.
We therefore denounce these actions and request from the State and National Parties that any privileges and benefits accorded Marquez and Gonzalez as Democrats be removed and their party affiliation be anything other than "Democrat".
Moved, voted upon and approved this 9th day of October, 2012.
Respectfully,
Rick Melendrez
Lmao, a person who just comments, using an alias, as the nerve to talk about being held accountable.
ReplyDeleteI see why you quote nonsensical comments now.
Don't taze me bro