View My Stats

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Ken Mercer endorses Quico Canseco for Congress


Mercer Endorses Quico Canseco (photo) for Congress
Texas’ 23rd District
Former State Representative says provides best bet for GOP pick-up

San Antonio, Texas —Former State Representative and conservative leader Ken Mercer announced today that he has joined other notable Bexar County civic and political leaders - including local businessman and philanthropist Red McCombs - in formally announcing his endorsement of Francisco “Quico” Canseco for the Republican Nomination to the 23rd district of the United State Congress.

“My endorsement process has two strict criteria: first, a candidate must be a champion of the Republican Party Platform and Texas family values, and second, they must have an serious chance of winning,” said Mercer . “Clearly Quico Canseco meets these two very important criteria,” he added.

“First, as the 2008 Presidential Straw Poll Chair for Credentials and the State Republican Party’s Associate General Counsel, Mr. Canseco is a strong advocate for our conservative platform planks of life, traditional marriage, border security, limited government, and personal responsibility. Our party is currently wounded by counterfeit conservative candidates whose values and agenda are polar opposites from the platform developed by our grassroots. In Quico Canseco we definitely have a real Republican with true conservative Texas family values,” Representative Mercer said.

Canseco has been married for 28 years to his wife Gloria and is the proud father of graduates from the University of Texas San Antonio and Churchill High School .

Mercer continued: “Secondly, Mr. Canseco’s ability to win is evidenced by his rock solid conservative message already on the airwaves and his strong grassroots organization throughout the 23rd Congressional District. Quico understands that for the GOP to win back this important seat it will take an aggressive campaign effort. His early entrance into the race and the solid team of support he has put together are evidence of his commitment to winning.”

Mercer said that a winning campaign also means having the resources and fundraising acumen necessary to fund the high cost of modern day congressional races which often involve seven figures for both the primary and general election. He noted that Canseco's most recent Federal Elections Commission report of contributions and expenditures will show that Canseco’s campaign has thus far raised over $550,000 and currently has well over $300,000 cash-on-hand making him one of the most well-funded GOP challengers in the country.

Mercer said that Canseco is already working with well respected GOP campaign fundraisers both in Texas and Washington, D.C. and that they are working aggressively to move the Canseco campaign war chest well past the one million dollar cash-on-hand mark for the next FEC report which will track the period of fundraising activities on behalf of Quico from July 1. 2007 through December 31, 2007.

Fundraising will not be a problem for Canseco, due mainly to the supporters who have rallied around his campaign.

In addition to fundraising prowess Mr. Mercer also believes that victory in one of the largest Congressional Districts in the United States means a presence that is not just limited to San Antonio . District 23 stretches along the border from Eagle Pass to El Paso.

According to Mercer, “Mr. Canseco is a San Antonio real estate attorney, a board member of a hospital in Laredo, and a board member of a bank in Hondo. These are solid strengths for the Canseco Campaign that will translate into support throughout a congressional district which is larger than most states.”

“Finally, winability means the race is won in November 2008, not March,” Mercer continued. “Though the district slightly leans Republican, it was purposely drawn by the court for minority representation with 57% registered Hispanic voters. No wonder so many state and national leaders – who have a targeted the 23rd for a GOP pickup - are excited about Mr. Canseco’s candidacy.”

“Clearly, Quico Canseco represents the best chance in 2008 for Republicans to reclaim the congressional seat previously held by Representative Henry Bonilla. Without any hesitation whatsoever, I fully endorse Francisco "Quico" Canseco for the Republican nomination to the 23rd Congressional District in what is perhaps one of the most important races in the nation for a Republican pick-up” Mercer concluded.


Ken Mercer is a respected Conservative activist and former Member of the Texas House of Representatives from Bexar County . He is currently serving a four-year term on the Texas State Board of Education for District 5.

Mercer is also an advisor to the Governor as a Member of the state Homeland Security Infrastructure Council. He has previously served on the State Republican Executive Committee.

No comments: