Former El Paso official seeks state Democratic post
AUSTIN - A former county attorney from El Paso is making a bid to lead the state's Democratic Party.
Sen. Jose Rodriguez of El Paso confirmed Friday he is running to head the Senate Democratic Caucus, a position that Sen. Kirk Watson, an Austin Democrat who led the delegation for two legislative sessions, announced Thursday he is stepping down.
"At this point it looks like I may get that position, unless someone else wants to run besides me," he said. "Our party has so many issues we face, and the state has so many needs, that our caucus needs to be vigilant."
Rodriguez has served in the Senate since 2010. The son of migrant farm workers, he has been an outspoken advocate for social-services support for Texans in need and on other issues that have put him in opposition to GOP-led initiatives involving immigration, border security and health care cuts.
Read more: http://www.chron.com/news/politics/texas/article/Former-El-Paso-official-seeks-state-Democratic-6562425.php