El Paso Politics

Well here is the consequence of city council's ridiculous vote. Let's see how long this lasts. This is the box that all members of council have to put their phones in. Poor Richarda has to walk around with this thing all day!  Hilarious. Only this city council will do something this ridiculous. 

I'll post some more serious stuff later but right now I thought I'd post this fun little piece and about the D'oh bug having run its course through the all the candidates for Tax Assessor Collector.  Let's call it Fun with Stock Photos. Check out this mailer that landed this weekend from Siria Rocha. As you can see from these two other photos, it's a stock image. And this one: Same image, just the angle is flipped and it's cropped differently. That's not really the D'oh! Take another look at the first image.  See it?  Rocha's campaign sent the mail to the campaign manager of her opponent. I mean it's not exactly a secret that Michael Apodaca is running Ruben Gonzalez's campaign.  Has her data person never heard of an opposition list? 

Its strange that such an important - and overtly political - development such as the DA investigating the dealings at city came out on a Friday. But its a big story. More importantly its a big deal and its going to impact City Hall. Lets start with that the practical impact of a DA investigation means. The Texas Rangers will start a brand new investigation, its not going to be something that will just pick up where the Fischer report left off. You're talking about the actual Texas Rangers, not the crappy baseball team. They aren't going to come in and go through the motions of an investigation. They aren't going to just flip through someone else's investigation (especially considering it wasn't done by law enforcement to begin with) to come to their conclusion. They are going to have their own independent process that will make people more nervous than going through a teenaged boys bedroom with a black-light or your internet search history. You're bound to find...

District Attorney Jaime Esparza has been getting a lot of criticism on the campaign trail about not having a leading role in the public corruption cases that plagued El Paso for many years. In fairness to Esparza he did try former founding member of Socorro's G-Unit, Jesse Gandara. He got a conviction but didn't put anyone on the stand during the punishment phase and the communities in the Lower Valley were upset that Gandara only got probation. But in this article in the El Paso Times,  Check out this article from El Paso Times: Texas Rangers asked by DA to review City Hall report http://www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/local/el-paso/2016/02/26/rangers-asked-review-el-paso-city-hall-report/80994172/  it appears Esparza is going to take a look at the ethics investigation report.  Now when you hear Esparza's answers to attacks by his opponents about why he didn't take a more active role previously, his desire to look into this case appear to fly in the face of his previous...

I briefly mentioned the fact that at least two members of council basically share the same staffer, Dora Oaxaca. If you recall I wrote about how she had explained that she was working for Rep Acosta but that she was also getting paid by Rep Noe to help him out with stuff dealing with the MPO. The MPO stands for the Metropolitan Planning Organization and they are one of the most powerful entities around because they are the body that divides up the local funds for transportation and mobility in the region. Its the entity that the city has having all kids of issues with meeting their requirements and have been losing out on a lot of money. All you people complaining about how the city lost $20 million dollars...you should be more upset about the city losing TRIPLE that amount in lost or postponed projects because of their inability to get shit done on time and correctly. So Noe getting some help from Dora Oaxaca on those issues isn't really a surprise. She has been working on MPO stu...

Here's some quick notes from the political scene that I haven't gotten around to talking about because of campaign stuff but are really important for El Paso. The Black El Paso Democrats made a little history recently and elected the first woman president of organization. Sissy Byrd took over the reigns as president recently. Congratulations to her and the Black El Paso Democrats. *********************** Twymeni Purchase RIP The El Paso Democratic Party lost one of our own recently. Twymeni Purchase passed suddenly this week. She was an active member of the Party. I first met her and her husband during the Obama-Hillary War of 2008. Very nice and religiously faithful people. Her passing is not only a big loss to the black community in El Paso but also to the religious community and the El Paso Democratic Party. My thoughts and prayers are with her husband Steven and the rest of their family.

Awhile back in the local Democratic Party scene there was all the buzz when the various establishment groups were all getting behind Hillary Clinton and getting on that bandwagon there was talk about bringing Hillary to El Paso. As a veteran of the Obama-Hillary War of 8 years ago, I remember fondly the energy behind that race. The Hillary people were coming out of the wood work. There were Hillary signs and stickers everywhere. On the Obama side we tried to do what we could but it was clear that El Paso was Hillary country. And on Election Day, we saw huge voter turnout numbers in El Paso. Seriously big numbers. Numbers so big that when we campaign types put together ground ops, we typically through those numbers out the window because they were such an anomaly. But there were people that maintained hope, (see what I did there) that Hillary would still be able to draw big numbers. Well time to play the sad trumpet. We haven't seen a big uptick in voting. In fact, turnout has been ...

Over the years I've explained to you all how unique campaigning is in the valley. Fabens is always interesting because its probably the worst place to poll watch in the county. If it gets windy you are going to get pounded by dirt and there's no place to seek refuge. This is the time of the year when its cold in the morning and hot in the afternoon and the only shade that is out there is whatever tarp contraptions you set up. Plus its right off a major (for Fabens) road. Things get tense out there. Even more so when there is an intense race that seems to have tightened up over the last few days. So word around Fabens is that law enforcement has had to make a couple visits out to the polls because of all the smack talk going on. Apparently this has been an almost daily occurrence out there. Since Friday is the last day of early voting, I'm expecting it to be legendary out there. I may have to take a trip out there and see what I can catch on the ol' video camera.

Hey precinct chair candidates, if  you make signs, they still have to comply with the law.  If trust and honesty are 2/3 of your slogan, you might want to make extra sure you're compliant. If you're printing signs and literature and your expenses go over $500, and they will, you need to file a campaign finance report.  If not you can be subject to an ethics complaint.  By the way this candidate is more commonly known as "La Pura Verdad".  She, along with Jaime Barceleau, are the only two precinct chair candidates I've seen that have campaign art. Barceleau appears to have a mailer done but I'm not sure if it has been sent.

Make sure you're sitting down for this one because you aren't going to believe it. And I should warn you in advance, its going to really piss you off.  City Representative Larry Romero, who has now resigned quite a while ago and hasn't been working for his constituents since before Christmas, is still collecting a check at tax payer expense.  Why? Because of the Texas Hold-Over Clause. That's right, despite the fact that Rep Romero clearly let it be known what his intentions were when he resigned, which got him off the hook for the investigation by the way, Rep Romero is still collecting a pay check. And he hasn't returned any of it to the city either.  "How is that fiscally responsible? That's the most fiscally unresponsible (sic) thing that could (sic) possibly do", Dr. Noe said about Romero still collecting a check. Just kidding.  That is what Dr. Noe said about paying the working poor a livable wage . (Also, I think he really meant to say "irr...

Well Freeway Carpets has never been accused of pulling punches. A bit much?  (Before you people lose your mind, don't kill the messenger on this one, blame Freeway Carpets, not me.)

My comments on the race for HD 75 has caused quite a stir in my backyard. The Valley War currently being waged has people on both sides pretty upset with my critiques of their respective horses. Mary Gonzalez's supporters are upset at how critical I have been of her candidacy. And yes, I have been the more critical of Gonzalez on issues than anyone else writing about this race. And I stand by every single critique I have made. Since I guess people feel Gonzalez is above critique, some of her supporters have been really pissed. Including Alfonso Gutierrez, a former Socorro City Rep who has been running around calling elected officials and lying to them about me. He recently ran for city council again and somehow managed to lose to a Gandara. Seriously, how you lose to a Gandara after so many of them have been convicted of felonies is beyond me, but that superstar somehow managed to do so. I have consistently made the point that there is very little difference between Gonzalez and Qu...

This is a long post, but stick around. I assure you its worth it. I drop some knowledge on this one. And some feelings are going to get hurt. Walk with me... The cell phone ordinance should hereon be called the Dr. Noe ordinance. After all lets be real, this was his effort to try to stick it to Ordaz, which explains his really emotional outburst during the meeting. Lets also be real about something else. There are a couple of city reps that purposely do not have a city issued cell phone or lap top. Ask yourself why? Actually the media should ask them why and I'll be interested to hear their answers. Would it have anything to do with the fact that the city can go through a cell phone or laptop any time they want to but they can't do that to a personal device? Lets hear what they have to say. And for whatever reason, Noe has become VERY emotional over the last few months. Maybe its because he's so stubborn about being tied to the city manager, but whatever the reason is, he h...

The State Board of Education is an important race that no one really cares about. But they should because stuff gets cray-cray on that board. We recently elected someone who didn't even want the job to the position. District 1 covers a ridiculously large portion of Texas, something like 40 counties. Two of the three candidates are from El Paso. You know how I roll, I try to get video of as much of the candidates as I can and pass it on to you. So here are the three candidates. Georgina Perez and Joe Fierro are from El Paso County and Lynn Oliver is from Bandera County. Here's video of the only time all three of the candidates addressed the same body, a couple of weeks ago at the Eastside Civic Association:

You know I've been busy covering election stuff lately and haven't really had a chance to talk about city stuff. I'll get to it soon enough, trust me. But before I do, I wanted to talk about the El Paso Times' endorsements and their process. First things first, the Times' endorsement matters. Thats why everyone who didn't get it starts bitching. Since none of the Forma candidates got the endorsement, that is probably why Ali Razavi has been bitching about it and how he doesn't like the process. Seriously Ali, of all people on planet earth that shouldn't be talking shit about transparency, is the guy who's family business deceived people about what they were buying. Maybe he shouldn't be the person wagging his finger about what is and isn't ethical. Kinda like State Rep Marisa Marquez wagging her finger to school boards about being transparent and ethical at the same time she is lobbying county commissioners while still serving as a state rep ...

Local Republican Extremist Barbara Carrasco "...I am dismissing this complaint in accordance with Section 2.920.80(G)(3) of the El Paso City Code. The complaint, if true as alleged, would not as a matter of law constitute a violation of Chapter 2.92 of the El Paso Municipal Ordinance." So ends the letter that was addressed to local Republican extremist Barbara Carrasco that was sent from from the City Attorney's Office notifying Carrasco that her complaint against City Rep Ordaz for alleged violation of laws regarding the disclosure of official minutes or recordings of Executive Session was summarily dismissed. The letter also states that Ms. Carrasco's "entire complaint is predicated on a fact not in evidence..." and further states "...the complaint you filed does not connect the action (sharing information via text message about a topic discussed in executive session with a member of the public) to a violation of the Ethics Ordinance." Ordaz has ...

Ben Mendoza is my favorite political character in town. Enough said.

The Texans for Education Reform have come out in full support for former State Rep Chente Quintanilla to get his seat back against State Rep Mary Gonzalez. The TER PAC has a new spot that has already started to run on television that hits Rep Gonzalez on education and then touts Chente's experience as a superintendent. It was then that I realized I never uploaded the video of the candidates at the forum hosted by the Eastside Civic Association. Chente had some interesting things to say about bilingual education at about the 2:50 mark of the video. And by interesting things to say about bilingual education I mean he is against bilingual education.  I'd watch it all the way to about the 6 minute mark to get a good indicator of where Chente stands on a couple of important education issues. Now leave it to Chente Quintanilla, a former superintendent, to come out against bilingual education in a community in which Spanish is the language most often spoken in the home and in the stre...

Looks like 8th Court of Appeals candidate Maria Ramirez fixed her billboards.  If you look closely you can see that the word "for" was added. You may recall that a complaint was filed with the Ethics Commission by a constituent about the lack of the word "for" in her campaign signs. This will likely get her off the hook with the ethics commission.

There is usually a GOTV piece of mail that goes out and ideally should land the Saturday before early voting.  But since the team at Forma kinda has a history of sending mail out late, it doesn't always happen according to script.  Remember, these are the people that had Tania Chozet's GOTV mail for a Saturday mail land on a Monday...after the election.  So a really effect mail piece against State Rep Mary Gonzalez landed this weekend that may or may not have actually been meant to land last weekend. But since turnout has been terrible so far, no harm no foul.  The piece attacks State Rep Mary Gonzalez for her dismal attendance record at the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO).  And make no bones about it, she has a terrible attendance record at the most important policy and decision-making honey pot in the county. And this is the part where all the state reps start trying to cover for each other and start hollering about how they can't come back during ses...

I don't do endorsements for a myriad of reasons and frankly, no one wants nor needs my endorsement. But when it comes to a precinct chair race I think I'm pretty qualified to give you all in Precinct 92 a good recommendation.  So here's my recommendation. Vote for Isela Castañon-Williams. I know Isela personally and have known her and her work in the Democratic Party for years. I don't often agree with who she supports for various offices, but I disagree with a lot of people in the Party. I'm often critical of the Old Guard of the Party for their often circus-like behavior. Many of them are far more concerned with making a scene rather than actually doing the work of the Party. Isela is one of the few that actually works for the Party.  I know what you're thinking, she was the treasurer for the guy that was going to run against my old boss, Vince Perez. Yes that's indeed true, but if you can't be a pro and get over stuff like that then you don't belo...

Despite the fact that the city hasn't indicated when there will be an election to replace City Rep Larry Romero, another candidate has joined the race with Jim Tolbert. Obviously this is unofficial because the filing window hasn't opened yet. David Nevarez, best known for his appearance in an ad for Beto O'Rourke when he ran for congress against Silvestre Reyes a few terms ago, has indicated that he is going to run. Nevarez is also on the city's veterans affairs committee.  The fact that there are two candidates in a race that isn't even happening yet is a pretty good indicator that it will likely be a full field. The other candidate everyone keeps talking about is Michael Apodaca. He appears close to making a decision and word on the street is that he is strongly considering his candidacy. There's no rush for Apidaxa to make up his mind and since. Either of the two candidates that are already running for the seat have ever won and election, Apodaca probably lik...

Well it's getting late in the game and it looks like the two campaigns for HD75 are sticking knives in each other. Each campaign dropped a mailer in the last couple of days. Rep Gonzalez went negative for the first time in her political career which is interesting. Most of her mail features overly-produced pictures of Gonzalez staged to look like she actually lives in the district. Her piece landed on Saturday. She's clearly feeling a little heat. Chente's Mail has been much cleaner than the crappy mail Dora Oaxaca used to do for him, but it was still inexplicably only in English.  Well Chente and Forma finally figured out to do what Gonzalez has been doing all along, bilingual mail. Chente's mail landed today. Here's a look at the mailers from each campaign.

It is beyond belief that State Rep Mary Gonzalez has the support of so many legislators and advocates for education, equality, and social justice. I have already written how the incumbent state representative, who was previously bank-rolled by PACs that empower women, has somehow managed to be the only member of the Texas legislature to open a district office on land where women don't have a voice in their own most local form of government. Well I guess she doesn't subscribe to Madeline Albright's school of thought about there being a special place in hell for women that don't help other women. But its social media updates like this one below that really bother me about State Rep Mary Gonzalez. I frankly can't understand why Rep Gonzalez has gotten such a pass on her record. Before we go further, I could give a damn about her sexuality. I don't care who she sleeps with. I'm the parent of a gay child, so don't come at me like this has anything to do with ...

If this post were a food it would be capirotada.  Here's a few things that I threw together in one post this morning. ******************* Palafox Commercial Ms. Palafox is the latest candidate to release a TV commercial. She's a candidate for the 8th Court of Appeals. Its been running during morning news. The ad isn't great, but it isn't terrible either.  ******************** Ethics Complaint Filed Speaking of the 8th Court of Appeals race, an ethics complaint has been filed against Maria Ramirez, one of the candidates for that race. She's also a municipal court judge, so if the name sounds familiar it might be because she heard a traffic ticket you might have had. I didn't really put together that she was a muni court judge during the time that Buzz Feed did the story of people being jailed because they couldn't pay their tickets. I should've requested court data to see how she stacked up against the other municipal court judges on that issue. Surprisin...

I've chatted with a few field people and candidates around town and the smart ones have noticed that the early voting locations that normally get a lot of traffic aren't getting as much as they used to. Relax, those numbers will come back up a bit, but don't judge them based on each voting location.  There are more than two times the amount of early voting locations as there were in the 2012 election. So those numbers are going to be spread out more than usual. Also, the Pope. Once he's come and gone then people will start thinking about the election again.  Don't even bother phone banking tomorrow afternoon. No one will be home or care. Don't panic, everything's cool.

As a veteran it annoys me when I see people campaign in uniform because I know its a big no-no. And it makes me feel like it cheapens military service to associate it with politics in that way. I've never liked them people use it as a way for them to score points off their military service. I hate that. This isn't the first time I've written about it. When Julio Diaz used to campaign in uniform it used to bother me then too. But Julio was National Guard or Reserve and would post pictures of himself on drill weekends etc. Joe Fierro on the other hand indicates that he is an active duty solider. "I currently am a soldier in the United States Army. I'm a Combat Medic stationed here at Fort Bliss and I'm going to retired this year because I had to make a choice between remaining a soldier and devoting my time to the State Board of Education", stated Joe Fierro at a recent forum at the Eastside Civic Association. Based on some comments he made on an article in ...

Well this one doesn't qualify as a campaign gaffe per se, more of an office gaffe. Ruben Gonzalez, the appointed Tax Assessor Collector that is running to keep his job against his grandson Gregory Gonzalez (just kidding, no relation) and Siria Rocha apparently has a typo in his office. As you can see in this photo, they are missing the "El" in El Paso. This is a used envelope so you can see these actually went out recently.  Its really not that big of a deal except when you consider the fact that he pushes the idea of "proven results" in his GOTV mail piece that went out to voters on Saturday.  Its always awkward when you market "proven results" and then your proven results are a little embarrassing.  Not sure how much it cost but I'm sure its being rectified. Unless they are just finding out about the mistake through this post.  So that is two D'ohs! from that race. Rocha has to avoid a gaffe so that the D'Oh! bug doesn't run the table...

And not a very useful one at that. Its pretty much universally understood in the blogosphere that Paredes is the slow kid wearing the dunce cap in the back of the classroom that we all give wedgies too and the occasional swirly. He's got it coming though because he talks so much crap about an endless stream of conspiracy theories. At first I thought it was because he's not an El Pasoan and lives in Orlando with all the other characters with oversized features. But alas, that isn't it. Sometimes people just aren't very smart. Someone told me about another silly little post by the couch-surfing Flying Monkey so I went to go check it out and I almost died laughing. So apparently Paredes I guess was under the impression that Romero resigning was all just one big lie and said that "local newspaper, the three bloggers..." etc here just writing about a rumor. In fact he even said the resignation was "just a rumor". Here's the section: So since the Times...

This is video of Rep Mary Gonzalez at the Eastside Civic Association earlier this week. I was so busy looking up another candidates finance report, that I ended up being wrong about, and Gonzalez should count herself lucky because by the time I was done checking the report, there wasn't any time to take more questions. And I was going to ask her about a lot of stuff. Who knows, maybe I'll get another chance between now and Election Day. Monday I'll have an in-depth post about how she has a lot of people fooled. Until then, here's this video.

State Board of Education Candidate Joe Fierro spoke at the Eastside Civic Association at a forum and I had an opportunity to ask him a question. So I asked him about all the money he raised that came from the Texans for Education Reform. Sorry Team Forma - you should've coached him better on this answer. It didn't go so well.