Free Republic

Senator Zaffirini shrugs off political opponent’s claims By Tricia Cortez Times staff writer Raymond Bruni has accused his opponent, state Sen. Judith Zaffirini (D-Laredo), of being “controlled by special interest groups” and of “abandoning the middle class and working families.” He pointed to campaign contribution reports filed with the Texas Ethics Commission, which show Zaffirini has raised $249,680 from July through the end of February, in which approximately one-third has come from PAC, or political action committee, money. Bruni has also questioned the communications workshops she has given to public entities in Laredo, in which her firm, Zaffirini Communications, has...

Laredoan writing about Latina politicians By Tricia Cortez Times staff writer St. Mary’s University professor Sonia Garcia, a Laredo native, is leading a groundbreaking project to write the first book that will document the lives and contributions of the first Mexican-American female political office holders in Texas. After toying with the idea for five years, Garcia and four other Latina Ph.D’s in political science have teamed up to write “Politicas: Latina Trailblazers in the Texas Political Arena.” These five professors are the only Latinas with doctorate degrees in political science in Texas. Their book will be published by University of...

Dewhurst: Bitter dispute behind us By Tricia Cortez Times staff writer On his second visit to Laredo as lieutenant governor, David Dewhurst made it clear Friday the bitter and contentious redistricting fights, which tore apart the genteel Texas Senate, are "behind us." He also quashed rumors that he may be considering a run for governor against Rick Perry. "I enjoy being lieutenant governor, and I will run for re-election as lieutenant governor, unless something drastic happens," Dewhurst told the editorial board of the Laredo Morning Times. "I fully expect to be re-elected," added Dewhurst, who was accompanied by state Sen....

Whitmire treated like a turncoat BY NATALIE GOTT Associated Press Writer AUSTIN - When 10 Democratic lawmakers returned to the Capitol after running off to New Mexico for six weeks to block congressional redistricting, they were met with boisterous cheers from the Senate gallery. But the crowd had a different welcome for Democratic Sen. John Whitmire of Houston: Members of the audience unveiled white T-shirts printed with one letter apiece, spelling out "QUITMIRE." After spending more than 30 days holed up in a hotel in Albuquerque, N.M., Whitmire broke ranks with his fellow Democrats Sept. 2 and decided to return...

Texas 10 claim oppression BY LAUREL ALMADA Times staff writer The Texas Ten are claiming they are the victims of "oppression," and are requesting an investigation by the Webb County District Attorney's Office. District Attorney Joe Rubio confirmed Tuesday that he assigned two prosecutors to investigate alleged official oppression that could lead to criminal charges. Rubio said the investigation stemmed from a request on the part of attorney Carlos Zaffirini, husband of state Senator Judith Zaffirini (D - Laredo) and hired counsel for the Texas Ten. The ten democratic senators were dubbed the Texas Ten after breaking quorum and fleeing...

Texas senators return BY TRICIA CORTEZ Times staff writer Before a cheering crowd of family, friends and supporters, the "Texas 11 Minus One" delivered hugs and speeches Wednesday afternoon in Laredo after returning from a defiant six-week holdout in Albuquerque, N.M. While the Cigarroa High School band played and stylish Ryan Elementary cheerleaders performed, the 10 Democratic state senators received a good dose of Texas heat while they stood on a makeshift stage in an airport hangar before an enormous Texas flag. Hanging over the air was the possibility of being arrested by Texas Department of Public Safety agents. City...

Redistricting fight continues Gov. Perry calls for third special session BY TRICIA CORTEZ Times staff writer After more than six weeks of personal financial and family sacrifice to fight the Republican leadership on congressional redistricting, the "Texas 11 Minus One" are coming home Wednesday. Laredo will be their first stop in the Lone Star State. Eight of the 10 Democratic state senators are expected to fly in from Albuquerque, N.M. Wednesday. They will land at 4:30 p.m. at Labata FBO, a private hangar at the Laredo International Airport, and will be joined later by senators Eddie Lucio Jr. of Brownsville...

Zaffirini injured in fall on iceSenator breaks shoulder bone practicing for hometown event10:13 PM CDT on Tuesday, September 9, 2003By ROBERT T. GARRETT / The Dallas Morning News ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The Texas redistricting battle has exacted a price from the Legislature and its members, but now there's a broken bone on the list. Sen. Judith Zaffirini, D-Laredo, broke her right shoulder bone in two places late Monday in a fall at an Albuquerque ice skating rink. Ms. Zaffirini, one of the 10 Texas Democrats who have spent six weeks in New Mexico to thwart a GOP plan to...

Five senators coming for redistricting lawsuit BY TRICIA CORTEZ Times staff writer Wednesday promises to be another hot one for Laredo - politically speaking, that is. Five of the 11 Democratic state senators are scheduled to fly in from Albuquerque for the first hearing on the congressional redistricting lawsuit that involves Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. Chief U.S. District Judge George P. Kazen will preside over all pending legal motions in federal court. The five state senators scheduled to attend the Laredo hearing are Judith Zaffirini (Laredo), John Whitmire (Houston), Eliot Shapleigh (El Paso), Royce West (Dallas)...

Raymond takes tough stand against redistricting BY CHUCK OWEN LMTBusiness writer Laredo is an economic anchor for the state and nation, but to continue to play that role it must take tough stands, State Rep. Richard Raymond told the Laredo Manufacturers Association members and guests Thursday morning. The "tough stands" he was talking about are comparable to his and the state Democratic legislators' tough stand with regard to state redistricting. Raymond was there to give the LMA an overview from his perspective of what has happened at the state level with regard to congressional redistricting, particularly during the regular legislative...

Senators amend federal lawsuit in Laredo BY TRICIA CORTEZ Times staff writer Chief U.S. District Judge George P. Kazen will hold the first hearing in Laredo next Wednesday on all pending legal motions involving Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, as the bitter struggle to pass a new congressional redistricting map moves into a federal courtroom. The hearing in Laredo is set for Aug. 27 and will begin at 9 a.m. While both factions remain entrenched in their positions, legal motions filed in federal court and partisan hostilities continue to mount. On Wednesday morning, attorneys for the 11...

Family, friends bring support, supplies to Texas Demos in NM Associated Press ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) — Family and friends of the self-exiled Democratic senators from Texas who are engaged in a stalemate with their Republican counterparts began arriving Friday to lend their support — and in some cases bring supplies. The Democrats — who refer to themselves as the "Texas 11" — bolted for New Mexico on Monday to protest Republican plans to redraw Texas' congressional districts. The Democrats hold a 17-15 advantage, but Republicans say that does not reflect the state's increasingly Republican voting patterns. The 11 have vowed...

Voting district issue resurfaces Perry calls for special legislative session BY TRICIA CORTEZ Times staff writer "This is the worst form of political blackmail I've ever seen. The governor has made a terrible mistake, and he'll live to regret using this kind of political blackmail," state Rep. Richard Raymond (D-Laredo) said Wednesday. Raymond's comments come on the heels of a special legislative session called by Gov. Rick Perry late Wednesday morning that will revive the controversial Republican-led plan to push through a new congressional redistricting map. Perry's action has caused a flurry of statements from Republicans and Democrats in Washington,...