(Gabi)Canales(D) set to defend record(Texas House 35)

Corpus Christi Caller-Times ^ | January 7, 2004 | Quincy C. Collins

[SwinneySwitch]

Legislator files for re-election

State Rep. Gabi Canales, the Alice attorney who came under fire by an Austin political watchdog group for filing legislative continuances, has filed for re-election.

Canales, D-Alice, said addressing education, water rights and prescription medication costs are her priorities for the next legislative session.

Canales, 29, said that though she spent much of her first term as a legislator learning the procedure and the political system, she was able to address the needs of her district. She said she has laid the groundwork for medical malpractice lawsuit legislation and health care and prescription legislation.

"I'm not proud of everything that was done in the Legislature, but I'm proud of the way I voted," Canales said.

District 35 includes Atascosa, Bee, Goliad, Jim Wells, Karnes, Live Oak and McMullen counties.

Canales was one of 51 state legislators who fled to Oklahoma in May to block a quorum to prevent a vote on a Republican-backed redistricting plan.

Two other Jim Wells County Democrats will challenge Canales. Alice attorney Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles and David Flores, an Orange Grove health care consultant, have filed.

Clark Welder, who ran against Canales during the last election, and Eric Opiela have filed as Republican candidates.

The position pays $7,200 a year. The primary election is March 9. The runoff election is scheduled for April 13.

Contact Quincy C. Collins at 886-3792 or collinsq@caller.com.

[SwinneySwitch]

Quincy left out that she was selected as one of Texas Monthly's 10 worst legislators and also her DWI arrest and walk last year!

[JohnnyZ]

Is the district competitive? Do you know the Republicans running?

[Blue Screen of Death]

Who are the Republicans running? This is South Texas. People either run as democrats or do not state their party. Gene Seaman, our state senator forever, is a republican, but you will never see the word on any of his campaign material. I called his office during the last election and asked why. They said a consultant told them to avoid using the word Republican in this area.

Of course, Corpus Christi is kind of a wasteland and is about 60% hispanic. I always wonder if they are democrats because they are poor and uneducated or they are poor and uneducated because they democrats.

[DH]

I'm embarrassed being from Alice. It's typical "brother in lawing" politics in Alice.

[JohnnyZ]

2002 Election

Gabi Canales: 52.3%
Chuck Welder: 47.7%

Looks like it's a swing district.

[SwinneySwitch]

I met Clark Welder when he ran in 2002. He can beat her if she manages to win the demonrat primary!

Don't know Eric Opiela.

[SwinneySwitch]

The Texas GOP lists 3 Republicans running for District 35

Michael Esparaza Alice Administrator Rep (361) 664-7774 www.vote-esparza.com

Eric Opiela Karnes City Rancher/attorney Rep (512) 791-6336

Clark Welder Beeville attorney/small business owner Rep

Gabi Canales Dem

David Flores Dem

Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles Dem

[SwinneySwitch]

Do you know Michael Esparaza from Alice? The Caller-Times forgot to list him as a candidate.

[SwinneySwitch]

Breaking News: Clark Welder dropping out.

http://www.bee-picayune.com/story4.shtml

[JohnnyZ]

His decision means that voters will now decide between three Democrats, incumbent Gabi Canales, Yvonne Gonzales Toureilles and David Flores, and two Republicans, Michael Esparza and Eric Opiela, to fill the House District 35 seat.

Seems to me Texas Republicans are having no trouble finding Hispanics who want to run under their banner.