Valley coalesces behind Chris Bell for Governor

EDINBURG—Democratic gubernatorial nominee Chris Bell announced the endorsements of State Representatives Renee Oliveira, Armando Martinez, Aaron Pena and 23 other local officials during a Democratic Unity press conference held Tuesday at the Hidalgo County Courthouse as part of the Bell Campaign’s South Texas Tour.

Bell adds these names to a list of endorsements he has received this week from several South Texas mayors that includes Brownsville Mayor Eddie Trevino, San Benito Mayor Joe Hernandez, La Feria Mayor Lalo Sosa, Santa Rosa Mayor Ruben Ochoa, Combes Mayor Silvestre Garcia, Los Fresnos Mayor David Windstead, and Primera Mayor John David Osborn.

U.S. Congressmen Lloyd Dogget and Ruben Hinojosa, State Representatives Jim Solis, Veronica Gonzales, Abel Herrero, Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles, Richard Raymond, Juan Escobar, Pete Gallego, and Tracy King, Cameron County District Clerk Aurora De La Garza, Cameron County Commissioner Pete Benavidez , Cameron County Contables Saul P. Ochoa and Merced Burnias, and La Joya Mayor Billy Leo have also endorsed Bell.

State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, who joined Bell at his Edinburg press conference on Tuesday, said, "Chris Bell will be the type of governor who cares about the issues of South Texas: education, jobs, and heathcare, and he wouldn't use social devisiveness like the Republicans do to hide their failures."

Bell received the latest endorsements during campaign stops in Brownsville and Edinburg on his South Texas Tour where he pointed out the Republican record shared by Rick Perry and Carole Strayhorn, and affirmed his support from the Democratic Party. Other stops on the tour include San Benito, Los Fresnos, Port Isabel, Del Rio, Zapata, Eagle Pass and McAllen.

"A friend of mine once said that Carole Strayhorn is Rick Perry in a skirt,” said Bell. "I say that Carole Strayhorn and Rick Perry are two sleeves of the same empty suit. This election is not about being liberal or conservative; It’s about Democrats coming together. United, Democrats can make the Lone Star shine again and restore greatness to the state of Texas.”

Recent polls place Bell firmly in second place overall and tied among likely voters who have seen his television ad. Pollster Alan Secrest called Bell “the only viable path to beating the hugely vulnerable Rick Perry” and declared that “neither Friedman nor Strayhorn has a chance.”