"Just a Thought" Column continues in L Prensa of SA, 1-10
Once again it is time to gear up for a
presidential election to include all the down ballot candidates from
Congressional races to Justice of the Peace and Constables.
Traditionally, every election a number
of local Hispanic candidates from both parties vie with others to represent
Bexar County as well as statewide offices. This year is unique with two
Hispanic candidates running for President of the United States that includes
Florida Senator Marco Rubio and Texas Senator Ted Cruz.
When Senator Cruz first ran for Senator,
I had the opportunity to cover him on more than one occasion for my blog,
walkerreport.net. He was very affable and approachable.
One local Hispanic Republican candidate,
Weston Martinez, is also running statewide in a field of 10 for Texas Railroad
Commissioner. I have known Weston for a number of years since he ran for City
Council.
Locally we have two contested congressional
races that pits former opponents in past general elections. They include the
former Democratic Congressman from the 23rd District, Pete Gallego
against the man who took his seat in 2014, Republican, Will Hurd. Congressman
Gallego was gracious in writing me a recommendation when I applied to work in
Washington D.C. three years ago.
Republican candidate for the 35th
Congressional District Susan Narvaiz is also attempting a second run against long
term incumbent Democrat Lloyd Doggett. 28th
Congressional District incumbent Democrat Henry Cuellar is opposed by fellow
Democrat William Hayward in the March 1st Democratic Primary. There
is no General Election opponent.
Congressman Joaquin Castro from the 20th
Congressional District is unopposed by both parties. I have attended and written
about his annual birthday celebrations with his brother for the past few years
for La Prensa.
In the State Senatorial races, District
19 Democratic incumbent Carlos Uresti, is facing a Democratic opponent in the
Primary, South San ISD Board Member Helen Madla and Republican Pete Flores. I
taught Uresti’s son, Michael as a student at McCollum High School.
In the Senatorial race for District 26,
Democratic Incumbent Jose Menendez is facing fellow Democrat and District 116 State
Rep. Trey Martinez Fischer with no Republican challenger.
Moving on to the State Rep. Races,
District 116 which is now open, three Hispanic Democrats, Martin Golindo, Ruby
Resendez and Diana Arevelo square off in the Primary with a pass from the
Republicans.
In District 117 there is a rematch
between incumbent Republican Rick Galindo vs. Democrat and former Rep. Philip
Cortez who lost to Galindo in 2014.
In District 118 two Democrats, Tomas
Uresti, and Gabe Farias will face off vs. two Republicans, John Lujan and
Robert Casias. The seat was vacated by Gabe Farias’ father Joe Farias who
stepped down for health reasons.
A special runoff election January 26th
to fill the unexpired term of Rep. Joe Farias till the November election pits
Harlandale ISD Board Member Tomas Uresti and John Lujan. District 119 Democrat
State Rep. Roland Gutierrez is unopposed as is Democrat District 123 Democrat
Diego Bernal.
Incumbent Democrat State Rep. District
124 Ina Minjarez is challenged only by fellow Democrat Sergio Contreras in the
March 1st Primary. Incumbent Democrat State Rep. District 125 Justin
Rodriguez, who I have known since he served on City Council, is unopposed by
both parties.
Next week’s “Just a Thought” will focus
on Hispanic candidates for Sheriff, Commissioner’s Court, Constables, Tax
Assessor, and judicial races.
As always, what I write is Just a
Thought.
Steve Walker is a Vietnam Veteran, former Journalist and
Justice of the Peace.
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