The Texas ObserverFlores Fractures His Democratic BaseA Valley ''Craddick D'' gets his first strong primary opponent
Jesse Bogan January 25, 2008
They came to the ranch to sip their drinks and grill cabrito and corn on the cob in the South Texas brush country. Norteño music blared. For a short time, shotgun blasts, following the arcs of fluorescent orange clay pigeons, pierced the night sky. The pachanga was a mostly male who’s who of Hidalgo County, a private party of politicos, including the mayor of McAllen, a well-known heart surgeon, and current and former state district judges and attorneys.
Not long ago, Ismael “Kino” Flores, a veteran state Democratic representative for the southern half of the county, probably would have been there. But the host, former County Judge Ramon Garcia, no longer backs him. Flores, who has a reputation as a political bruiser, hasn’t had a primary challenger for his District 36 seat since 2000. No Republican has opposed him since he was elected in 1996.
This time, Flores has a strong opponent on March 4 in Sandra Rodriguez, a former juvenile probation officer and school board trustee from a politically active family. She joins critics of Flores’ affinity for lobby money and Republican Speaker Tom Craddick. They say Flores abuses his office by drumming up consulting fees with local governments, and that Republican rule in Austin has been bad for the Rio Grande Valley.
Kino didn't even bother to vote against the voter ID bill. Great story on Sandra who is backed by Annie's list. I hope she can pull off the win in the primary. Go Sandra Go!!
:applause:
Soni