Just a Thought Column continues in La Prensa of SA, 1-17
Last week my column addressed local
Hispanic candidates running for Congress, State Senators and State Reps. Many
of them are my friends on both sides of the political spectrum. This week “Just
a Thought” will focus on Hispanic candidates for judicial races, Sheriff,
Commissioner’s Court, Constables, and Tax Assessor.
Beginning in the 4th Court of
Appeals Irene Rios a former County Judge is running as a Democrat against
incumbent Republican Jason Pulliam.
In the District 131st Court two
Democratic Hispanics are running to include Norma Gonzales, and Elena
Villasenor with Devin Gabriel, son of the current Judge, Johnny Gabriel who is
retiring and Republican David Kaliski.
District 166th Democratic
Judge Laura Salinas is unopposed as is 73rd District Judge David
Canales and 379th District Judge Ron Rangel, all Democrats. Isla, the daughter of Judge Salinas, shares my
birthday on September 5th. In the District 175th Court
former Judges Catherine Torres Stahl and Tony Jimenez will face Republican
Libby Wiedermann.
While in the 386th District
Court, Harlandale ISD Board Member Carlos Quezada and Arcelia Trevino face
Republican incumbent Laura Parker.
In the 399th District Court
Democratic incumbent Judge Ray Olivarri faces fellow Democrat Frank Castro and
Republican Jan Ischy-Prins.
57th Court Democratic two
term Judge Toni Arteaga faces challenger Ed Pina, also a Democrat.
The 408th District Court drew
five Democrats: Angelica Jimenez, Gabe Quintanilla, Crystal Cordova Tomson
along with Virgil Yanta and Milton Fagin and one lone Republican, Leslie Sachanowicz.
The 438th District Court have
two Democrats Rosie Alvarado and Lauro Bustamante squaring off against Republican
Francis Dunham. County Court at Law 5 incumbent John Longoria faces off with
one Democrat Caitlin Howell and Republican Linda Molina.
Justice of the Peace Pct. 2 Place 1
incumbent Democrat Robbie Vasquez will face Republican John Waldron, while Justice
of the Peace Pct. 2 Place 2 includes three Democrats including me.
Moving on to the Sheriff’s race,
incumbent Republican Susan Pamerleau is challenged by Democrats Javier Salazar,
Andy Lopez, Charles Cervantes, and Matt Ninan. Salazar’s father, Placido and I
have been friends for years as we have been active together in various veterans
groups having both served in Viet Nam.
Tax Assessor incumbent Democrat Albert
Uresti is facing Republicans Gerardo Ponce, Fernando Padron and Mike Berlanga.
I taught Uresti’s nephews and nieces at McCollum High School.
Commissioner Pct.1 Democrat incumbent
Sergio “Chico” Rodriguez will be challenged by Republican and former State.
Rep. John Garza.
Constable Pct.1 incumbent Democrat Ruben
Tejeda faces fellow Democrat Ray Lopez and two Republicans, former Harlandale
ISD Board President Jay Alaniz who I have known for years while teaching in Harlandale,
and Martin Chavez.
Constable Pct. 2 incumbent Democrat Val Flores
who I served with for four years as JP2 is facing a number of opponents to
include Democrats Dan Vela, Michelle Vela, Charlie Pena, Rudy Garza, and
Republicans Kenneth Menn and Joseph Pineda.
Finally Constable Pct. 4 Democrat
incumbent Mike Blount faces fellow Democrat Stan Ramos.
A large number of local Hispanics filed
to compete in the two March Primaries. Fifty-four filed as Democrats. Twelve
filed as Republicans. The question is how many will make it to the November
election and how many will prevail to hold office. Only time will tell.
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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