Reprint from the Progress Times - February 22, 2008
©Progress Times 2008 - All Rights Reserved

Presidential race puts Texas in national spotlight

 

The national spotlight is on Texas as presidential hopefuls Sen. Hillary Clinton and Sen. Barack Obama visit the Valley trying to woo voters. The March 4 primary in Texas and Ohio could change the dynamics in the presidential campaign.

Obama has gained momentum with 10 straight primary wins passing Clinton’s delegate count. Obama, after this week’s primary wins in Hawaii and Wisconsin, now has a projected 1,319 delegates. Clinton trails with 1,245 delegates. But it is still a tight race, and a win in Texas could propel either candidate to help secure the 2,045 delegates needed to win the Democratic nomination.

Texas would be a huge psychological win for either candidate. And with so much riding on the Texas primary, both candidates have made trips to the Valley, trying to capture more support.

Sen. Clinton, who already has strong Valley ties, largely from prior visits to the area by her husband, former President Bill Clinton, made visits Feb. 13 and this week, Feb. 20 at the Dodge Arena. She also visited Brownsville Wednesday.

Sen. Edward Kennedy made an appearance, campaigning for Obama, at the University of Texas-Pan American this past Wednesday. Obama is scheduled to visit the Valley for the first time today with a 9:30 a.m. appearance at UTPA. On Saturday, John Kerry is expected to make a campaign stop for Obama in Edinburg.

Much is at stake, as is evidenced by the attention both presidential candidates are giving to voters in the Rio Grande Valley, still a Democratic stronghold for the state.

Estimates project that as much as 40 percent of the voting in the Texas primary will take place during the early voting period, February 19-29. The polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily during early voting, except for Sunday, Feb. 24, when the polls will be open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

On the Republican side, Sen. John McCain is well on his way to winning the nomination for president. Still holding on, and many fewer delegates, is Mike Huckabee. Texan Ron Paul follows in a distant third place. Early contender Mitt Romney has withdrawn from the race and has thrown his support to McCain.

For the U.S. Senate, Sen. John Cornyn (R) has drawn a Republican opponent in the primary, Larry Kilgore. On the Democratic side, four candidates are vying for the chance to take on the Republican winner in the general election in November. The senatorial candidates are Rhett R. Smith, Gene Kelly, Richard J. (Rick) Noriega and Ray McMurrey.

U.S. Congressman Ruben Hinojosa (D), District 15, is unopposed in the Democratic primary, but Eddie Zamora will oppose him in the general election. Zamora is unopposed in the Republican primary.

Congressman Henry Cuellar (D), District 28, will also face a Republican challenger in November. Cuellar is unopposed in the Democratic primary, and challenger Jim Fish is unopposed in the Republican primary.

Texas Railroad Commissioner Michael L. Fish is unopposed in the Republican primary, but has drawn three Democratic challengers, Art Hall, Dale Henry and Mark Thompson.

But the Valley has some heated local races, which are expected to drive voter turnout in the primary election. In the Mission area, incumbent State Representative for District 36, Ismael "Kino" Flores (D), is being challenged by Sandra Rodriguez, daughter of the late Tatan Rodriguez, a former Mission city councilman. She is also the wife of former district judge Fernando Mancias.

State Representative Aaron Pena (D), District 40, has also drawn a formidable challenger in Eddie Saenz who is seeking to win the Democratic primary for that post.

State Representative Veronica Gonzalez (D), District 41, is unopposed.

State Senator Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa (D), District 20, is unopposed, and has no Republican opponent. The same is true for State Senator Eddie Lucio Jr. (D), District 27.

The District Judge for the newly-created 449th District Court, Danny Rios (R), is unopposed on the Republican side, but he has two Democratic challengers in a race that is warming up. Former juvenile court judge Maxine Longoria-Nash faces Jesse Contreras in the Democratic primary.

All of the other local district judges are Democrats running unopposed.

The Republicans have no other local candidates, other than Hollis Rutledge Jr. for Hidalgo County Republican Chairman and precinct chair positions.

On the Democratic side, Sheriff Lupe Trevino Jr. is unopposed, as is County Tax Assessor-Collector Armando Barrera Jr.

Precinct 1 County Commissioner Sylvia Handy has drawn two Democrat opponents, Alfredo "Fred" Hernandez and Tina Casares. Our local Precinct 3 County Commissioner Joe M. Flores is unopposed.

In Precinct 3, Judge Luis J. Garza is unopposed for Justice of the Peace, and Constable Lazaro "Larry" Gallardo Jr. is also unopposed.

For Democratic Party Chair Dolly L. Elizondo faces Juan J. Maldonado.