Posted on 12/10/2003 11:52:27 AM PST by SwinneySwitch
McALLEN — Judge Leticia Hinojosa will get financial support from Democrat activists in Hidalgo County if she makes a run for Congress in the new District 25.
Hinojosa, who sits on the bench of the 139th state District Court, was chosen as the Hidalgo County candidate to support, said La Joya Mayor Billy Leo. Leo said he attended a meeting along with other area businessmen Monday night at the law office of Democratic Chairman R.D. “Bobby” Guerra. “We can’t speak for the general population, who are we to dictate who will run?” Leo said. “What you have here is trying to get a commitment from the folks that have the money. What came out of this is that we found the person who the money folks would be comfortable contributing to run for this congressional seat.” The money folks pledged to raise at least $750,000 for Hinojosa’s campaign, Leo said. “Because of the lateness of the situation we might need $1 million,” Leo said. “Leticia has the right attitude, the right approach and the right answers. She is very determined and she answered our questions very well. But in order for Hidalgo County to be in this, we have to raise the money.”
The deadline for congressional candidates to file is Jan. 16, 2004. The primary election is March 9. Hinojosa said she was excited.“The support I’ve received is not just from this group,” Hinojosa said. “Money doesn’t buy votes but I think you have to have money to buy ads and convey your message to the public. My opponent is very well financed. “But there are other Valley residents who feel it is important that this South Texas district have a South Texas candidate,” Hinojosa said. “The district is based out of the Valley.”
District 25 was born as a result of a congressional redistricting bill approved by the Texas Legislature on Oct. 12. The district includes McAllen, Mission and western Hidalgo County. It extends west into Starr County and then heads north and ends in southeast Austin. There are a few obstacles in the way for potential District 25 congressional candidates. The new map is facing a federal court challenge and a trial is expected to begin in Austin on Thursday. The map is also waiting for final approval or rejection from the U.S. Department of Justice, which oversees the federal Voting Rights Act. The act protects the voting rights of minorities.
If the map is upheld in both cases, Hinojosa can expect to face U.S. Rep. Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin, who also wants to run in District 25. Doggett arrived in McAllen more than a week ago and has announced he will spend most of December in Hidalgo County, but he’s not looking for money as he has about $2 million in the bank.“I’m here looking for votes and I’m aware that I have to earn my support one person at a time,” Doggett said. “I believe my career has been spent providing a voice for those who normally don’t have a seat at the table. Closed meetings may work for some people but I will continue with what is very much a grassroot campaign. “While some may be busy getting fitted for a crown, I’m going to be wearing out some shoe leather,” Doggett said. “My general sense is there may be much less consensus than this group is letting on. I had been given the impression that everyone south of San Antonio had pledged their life savings to another candidate and that did not prove to be the case.”
Doggett was referring to state Rep. Ismael “Kino” Flores, D-Mission, who was officially exploring a run for Congress in District 25. Just last week, Flores indicated he would seek re-election to his House seat and said financial commitments had not come through for political reasons. Flores had already visited several other counties in District 25 and garnered support for the contest, he said. “As people here are beginning to notice they will see me out at schools, at work and at every community event I can attend,” Doggett said. “I have met with teachers, farm workers and with people in colonias. This is a grassroots campaign and it’s about people, not just a chosen few.”
Hinojosa said she would wait to see if both the federal court and the DOJ will uphold the map before making an official announcement, which would require her to resign from the bench. “I can’t announce and I won’t make a final decision until the court and the DOJ make theirs,” Hinojosa said “Until then, I plan to talk to as many people as I can and I need to listen to what everyone has to say. It’s going to be a difficult race but I feel good about the support and the calls I’ve been getting.” Hinojosa said she was aware that Doggett would be spending the weeks leading up to the filing deadline in Hidalgo County. “We welcome him here,” Hinojosa said. “He is a sitting congressman and we hope he looks and sees some of the problems here. But I live in the Valley all the time, I’m not just visiting.”
When Doggett and Hinojosa are done battling, the winner won’t be alone in District 25. Republican Regner Capener, a Mission resident, has thrown his hat into the ring. Capener said he is also waiting for the court to make a decision before he officially files his paperwork for District 25, but said he would have run for Congress whether redistricting had occurred or not. “Obviously for me being from the Valley, it’s a little harder if I have another Valley resident as an opponent,” Capener said. “My expectation has been that I will have to run against Lloyd Doggett because he’s so well-heeled. I certainly have no problem running against either one of them.” Capener said he has raised just a few thousand dollars but noted that he was just getting started. “I would be glad to debate the issues with either one of them at any time,” Capener said. “This is going to be an interesting race.”
Alma Walzer covers Hidalgo County government and general assignments for The Monitor. You can reach her at (956) 683-4422 or awalzer@themonitor.com
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