Candidate Filing Deadline Looms

This is the time of year when incumbents are pretty stressed out, worrying about whether or not they are going to draw opponents. Some are probably lighting candles and praying La Virgencita intervenes on their behalf. 

Some incumbents have already drawn opponents, including Congresswoman Escobar, but they are candidates that don't really have a chance of defeating the incumbent. Others - have their work cut out for them but will likely pull it out, like Commissioner David Stout - unless another big name jumps in his race. 

And others are in major trouble with opponents, like Justice of the Peace John Chatman. He's got three Latina opponents. But there is talk of a couple of other candidates that are eyeing the position that have more name ID. That race should get interesting.

Then there is Commissioner Carl Robinson. He has one opponent in Sissy Byrd, and two big name opponents that are said to be considering running. One of which has already confirmed - Canutillo ISD Trustee and former candidate for County Judge, Sergio Coronado. He confirmed with me last night that he's running. 

So Robinson is in trouble. Especially with another big name candidate ready to throw their name in the race - that will be two candidates with name ID and support bases that can fundraise that will be joining Robinson and Byrd in that race. Robinson might not even make a run-off.  

There is an incumbent who appears to have drawn an opponent - but I needed verify. If the information is accurate, that candidate is in big trouble...

SIDE BAR: Candidates let me give you some free advice. Don't profile voters based on what they look like or where they live. A lot of campaigns skip apartments or trailer parks when canvassing voters. If they fit your targeted voter profile, then you should talk to them. They are going to vote, you might as well make contact with them because someone's vote who lives in a two bedroom apartment in the lower valley or a trailer park in Montana Vista, counts the same as Paul Foster's or someone who lives in the Willows or Sunset Heights. 

I saw this because the other day there was a political event I was at and there was a judicial candidate there. There was a vato there dressed in a button-up polo shirt, some gray slacks, and was wearing a brim hat, or tanda as we say in the barrio. If you're unfamiliar, think of the Lowrider Magazine logo. The vato has a few tattoos. The candidate made it a point to speak to every single person in the area, and most notably, every single person on his table - except him. 

Maybe to her, the vato didn't look like a voter. 

But I know for a fact he is, and he's a regular voter. In fact, he has a much stronger voting history than she the candidate does. You should be nice to everyone when you're a candidate. And if you don't have it in you to be nice to everyone, or are only nice to the people that you think are going to vote for you, you should at the very least assume that everyone at a Democratic Party event has a better than decent chance of being a voter. 

Just a pro-tip for you courtesy of your friendly neighborhood LionStar.