Could Private Prison Cash Become a Liability for Texas Democrats?
Trump’s family separations scandal has reared its head in the San Antonio race to replace disgraced former state Senator Carlos Uresti.
On Tuesday, Democratic state Representative Roland Gutierrez lashed out at one of his opponents in the race to replace Uresti, former Democratic Congressman Pete Gallego, for accepting a $5,000 donation from private prison giant GEO Group during the 2014 cycle. GEO operates immigrant detention facilities around the country, including ones now holding parents split from their kids.
“No candidate should take contributions made possible through tearing apart families,” said Gutierrez in a press release, adding that he had also received an “unsolicited” $250 donation from GEO, but since donated the money to RAICES, a San Antonio immigrant rights nonprofit. Gutierrez called on Gallego to do the same.
In a phone call, Gallego rejected the idea he should donate the $5,000, calling Gutierrez’s attack disingenuous. “The issue here isn’t a 4-year-old contribution; the implication is I’m somehow supportive of family separations and that’s absolutely wrong,” Gallego said. He said that he’s not currently accepting contributions from GEO and believes the company should use its profits to help reunite families.
Read more: https://www.texasobserver.org/could-private-prison-cash-become-a-liability-for-texas-democrats/