El Paso Democratic Party Updates

Sorry, I know I should be blogging way more than I am right now but the reality is that I've been pretty busy. But fear not, I've found a groove to make some time to blog more often.

None of the El Paso County Democratic Party auxiliary organizations are meeting during this shelter in place, nor are any of them scheduled to meet anytime in the near future.

The Paso Del Norte Tejano Democrats have had some interesting developments though. Right before the crowd restrictions, there was an internal struggle for leadership within the organization between Iliana Holguin's faction - which is made up of Lily Limón, Chris Acosta, and Anna Perez (not the judge - the other one) - and the duly elected Chairwoman, Mary Bowles-Gasca.

Most of the back-and-forth struggle has manifested in a series of emails that keep being sent out by the Eddie/Iliana Holguin faction that keeps asking for meetings to be held on alternative days and locations. The emails are sent out only to members who they have identified as their supporters, not the group in its entirety. The back-and-forth emails were causing major confusion among members.

There are no provisions in the Bylaws that provide for information or emails to be targeted to only particular members - I looked.

As a result in late March, Chairwoman Bowles-Gasca sent out an email clarifying several issues. Most importantly that the statewide Tejano organization has long recognized Chairwoman Bowles-Gasca as the Chair of the Paso Del Norte Tejano Democrats. That point further underscores the fact that the emails sent out by Limón / Acosta were done so outside of their authority. The email also underscores the fact that Limón / Acosta were removed from their offices under provisions in the Tejano Bylaws and Robert's Rules of Order.

All of this has been transpiring with the backdrop of major concerns raised by several members about financial transactions and alleged reporting accountability breaches by Anna Perez, the Treasurer of the Tejano Democrats.

According to the letter sent out by Chairwoman Bowles-Gasca, she and the remaining officers of the PDN Tejano Democrats are now in possession of several financial documents and records they have been trying to obtain from Anna Perez for months.

Those documents are apparently being scrutinized and will be examined and audited.

The main takeaway is that the State Tejano organization has formally recognized Mary Bowles-Gasca's leadership or the local entity and there is no official recognition of any other leaders of the organization.

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EPYD

The only other activity of note is the fact that the newly re-launched El Paso Young Democrats has gotten off the ground but apparently has a bit of strange start. It is unclear if this is decision of the organization or just the organization's currently leader unilaterally, to "primary" a newly elected official.

What is interesting about that effort is that the El Paso Young Democrats - of which I was one of the original founders many years ago - presumably has the goal of electing young Democrats and Democrats that will champion issues of young Democrats - came out of the gate with a divisive stance of wanting to "primary" a candidate.

Why that is of not is because their intent is to "primary" a candidate that was a) just elected and b) is in fact, the youngest member of the delegation. Why on earth a Democratic auxiliary that is dedicated to electing and supporting young Democrats would be wanting to primary the youngest member of the delegation - before they have even taken a single vote or filed a single bill, shows that the idea of primarying someone is more based on the organization's leadership's personal feelings rather than policy.

Although seriously, the emptiest threat in politics is someone who has never won an election threatening to primary someone. I'd be remiss if I didn't note that the El Paso Young Democrats current leader is a financial contributor to the losing candidate in that race.

Interestingly that contribution was made on the very same day the organization endorsed that losing candidate. That endorsement came before the organizations first general membership meeting.

Just stating the facts as they transpired.

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El Paso County Democratic Party

What is most interesting is what is NOT happening right now at the El Paso County Democratic Party.

Anything.

Now look, politics is not an essential activity at this time. But other organizations are using tools to facility meetings. It would be very easy for the El Paso County Democratic Party to continue with precinct chair meetings and other activities by utilizing existing technology.

the fact that it hasn't happened is simply because the Chair cares more about her own campaign than doing the work of the Party right now.

Which is fine and completely understandable. Its also the reason that she should've resigned her position a long time ago.

I'll go more into the details of that conversation in another blog post - because I think its important that there be some rules in place going forward about situations like that.

Also of note, Gina Ortiz Jones will be hosting a Virtual Town Hall this Wednesday at 6:30 PM CT/5:30 PM MT. Please use the link above to RSVP and receive all the necessary information.

https://www.mobilize.us/ginaortizjonesforcongress/event/266579/?fbclid=IwAR2kPNFRPeEpU1jUQZnn3SwEU-SeesgEfucVT-nD0RnI_6ebhMept9SBe2M