Cameron County delegation goes for Noriega
By Steve Taylor
Brownsville - The three-member Cameron County legislative delegation and numerous local elected officials have announced their support of Rick Noriega for U.S. Senate.
The endorsements came at a campaign fundraiser at Valley International Country Club and contrast sharply with what has been happening in neighboring Hidalgo County - where Noriega’s possible Democratic primary opponent, Mikal Watts, has been picking up the support of some of its political leaders.
Both Rick Noriega, a state representative from Houston, and Mikal Watts, a San Antonio-based trial lawyer, are exploring the possibility of running against U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, next year.
“I have known Rick Noriega for about 25 years,” said State Rep. René Oliveira, D-Brownsville, introducing his House colleague to those at the fundraiser. “He’s about as solid a human being, as solid a husband, as solid a father, as solid a leader as you could possibly be.”
Among Cameron County officials, Noriega picked up the support of District Attorney Armando Villalobos, County Clerk Joe G. Rivera, District Clerk Aurora De La Garza, County Treasurer David A. Betancourt, and Sheriff Omar Lucio.
Brownsville City Commissioners Carlos A. Cisneros and Leo Garza were also present at the fundraiser to give their backing to Noriega.
And, in addition to Oliveira, State Reps. Juan Escobar, D-Kingsville, and Eddie Lucio III, D-San Benito, gave glowing reports on Noriega’s work in the legislature.
Escobar said Rio Grande Valley veterans fighting for a VA hospital would not have a greater champion in the U.S. Senate than Noriega. He pointed out that as a captain in the National Guard Noriega had served one year of combat duty in Afghanistan.
“When you have been in hospital and have seen people without legs or arms or eyes and crying for their mother, their wife or their families, then you have a passion for a hospital,” Escobar said. “Lt. Col. Rick Noriega has seen this in combat.”
In Hidalgo County, Watts has picked up the support of State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, County Judge J.D. Salinas, and Democratic Party Chairman Juan Maldonado, among others.
“I’m excited because here we have got a decorated colonel who has served in Afghanistan, a legislative veteran and a charismatic person with a Houston base who can wrap that flag around himself and run for the United States Senate and win. I know the man. I trust him.” Oliveira will be one of Noriega’s key campaigners in the Valley.
“I’m concerned that a pro-life trial lawyer is going to have a hard time winning,” Oliveira said, referring to Watts. He said that in Noriega, Texans could vote for a decorated colonel in the National Guard, who had served in Afghanistan and spent 12 years in House learning about education and roads.
In his remarks, Noriega blasted Cornyn over his vote for a border wall, his vote against giving combat troops as much time away from battle as they spent in Iraq, and for voting against enrolling more children in SCHIP. “That does not represent the values of us as Tejanos, as Texans, and as Americans. That does not,” Noriega said.
Paid for by Rick Noriega for Texas Exploratory Committee
By Steve Taylor
Brownsville - The three-member Cameron County legislative delegation and numerous local elected officials have announced their support of Rick Noriega for U.S. Senate.
The endorsements came at a campaign fundraiser at Valley International Country Club and contrast sharply with what has been happening in neighboring Hidalgo County - where Noriega’s possible Democratic primary opponent, Mikal Watts, has been picking up the support of some of its political leaders.
Both Rick Noriega, a state representative from Houston, and Mikal Watts, a San Antonio-based trial lawyer, are exploring the possibility of running against U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, next year.
“I have known Rick Noriega for about 25 years,” said State Rep. René Oliveira, D-Brownsville, introducing his House colleague to those at the fundraiser. “He’s about as solid a human being, as solid a husband, as solid a father, as solid a leader as you could possibly be.”
Among Cameron County officials, Noriega picked up the support of District Attorney Armando Villalobos, County Clerk Joe G. Rivera, District Clerk Aurora De La Garza, County Treasurer David A. Betancourt, and Sheriff Omar Lucio.
Brownsville City Commissioners Carlos A. Cisneros and Leo Garza were also present at the fundraiser to give their backing to Noriega.
And, in addition to Oliveira, State Reps. Juan Escobar, D-Kingsville, and Eddie Lucio III, D-San Benito, gave glowing reports on Noriega’s work in the legislature.
Escobar said Rio Grande Valley veterans fighting for a VA hospital would not have a greater champion in the U.S. Senate than Noriega. He pointed out that as a captain in the National Guard Noriega had served one year of combat duty in Afghanistan.
“When you have been in hospital and have seen people without legs or arms or eyes and crying for their mother, their wife or their families, then you have a passion for a hospital,” Escobar said. “Lt. Col. Rick Noriega has seen this in combat.”
In Hidalgo County, Watts has picked up the support of State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, County Judge J.D. Salinas, and Democratic Party Chairman Juan Maldonado, among others.
“I’m excited because here we have got a decorated colonel who has served in Afghanistan, a legislative veteran and a charismatic person with a Houston base who can wrap that flag around himself and run for the United States Senate and win. I know the man. I trust him.” Oliveira will be one of Noriega’s key campaigners in the Valley.
“I’m concerned that a pro-life trial lawyer is going to have a hard time winning,” Oliveira said, referring to Watts. He said that in Noriega, Texans could vote for a decorated colonel in the National Guard, who had served in Afghanistan and spent 12 years in House learning about education and roads.
In his remarks, Noriega blasted Cornyn over his vote for a border wall, his vote against giving combat troops as much time away from battle as they spent in Iraq, and for voting against enrolling more children in SCHIP. “That does not represent the values of us as Tejanos, as Texans, and as Americans. That does not,” Noriega said.
Paid for by Rick Noriega for Texas Exploratory Committee
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