Harris County Tejano Democrats meeting tonight

A major event in the 2007 campaign season occurs tonight as the Harris County Tejano Democrats get together to make their endorsements for November. One race in particular stands out, that for the open District I seat being vacated by Council Member Carol Alvarado.

"The fact is, we've got two very strong candidates this year," said Armando Walle, the group's chairman, referring to James Rodriguez, Alvarado's former chief of staff, and John Marron, a union activist and legislative aide to state Rep. Alma Allen, D-District 131.

Walle said the vote could be a squeaker, since both candidates enjoy strong backing within the Tejano Democrats' membership.

"It's just going to come down to who can rally their supporters to the meeting," he said.

The Tejano Democrats' endorsement meeting for the November general election will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Harris County Democratic Party office, 1415 North Loop West.

Both candidates participated in the group's screening process last month, answering a range of questions of interest to the Hispanic community, Walle said.

"I would say they agree on a lot of the policy issues," he said. "I didn't see any difference in their (answers) as far as police protection, after-school programs and preventative health care. From my understanding, they both support a lot of those issues that we have an interest in."

The Tejano Democrats' executive committee decided on its recommendation June 30 and will announce it at Thursday's meeting prior to members casting their ballots.

However, which candidate gets the nod is up to the rank-and-file membership, which has been known to buck the committee's recommendations in the past, Walle said.

"The endorsement process is not a rubber stamp," he said.

"If (members) don't approve of our recommendation, they'll make it known."

Whichever candidate wins a simple majority of members' votes will get the full support of Tejano Democrats' infrastructural support, including mass mailings, phone banking and block walking, Walle said.

A full statement from the Harris County Tejano Democrats is beneath the fold. The race in District I has been set for months now, and was characterized as a proxy battle between County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia and Council Member Alvarado in a story that drew some strong reactions. I'll be very interested to see who emerges as the endorsed candidate. Both Rodriguez and Marron are well qualified, and it could go either way. Stay tuned.

The Harris County Tejano Democrats (HCTD) will hold its annual Endorsement Meeting for the November 2007 City of Houston municipal elections on July 12, 2007. HCTD for the last two decades has been at the forefront of Hispanic politics and we look forward to endorsing candidates that have the best interest of the Hispanic community. Although City of Houston elections are traditionally non-partisan we need to hold our mayor, city controller, and council members accountable to our community. Fortunately, our mayor - who HCTD endorsed along with many of our endorsed candidates - has had good working relationships for the benefit of our city. However, issues such immigration are being used to divide communities by portraying immigrant communities in a negative light. We being the sons and daughters of immigrant mothers, fathers, and grandparents are proud to be Americans.

Issues such police & fire protection, on time capital improvement projects, better access to preventative health care, and air quality, are just a few issues that we would like to see addressed by candidates that we endorse. These issues are not just Hispanic issues but issues that we as a community must help to find solutions to. Qualified Hispanic representation at all city departments and streamlining of Affirmative Action processes are also issues that needs immediate attention.

As the states largest Latino political organization it give us great pride to be able to contribute to the democratic process and look forward to working with all the candidates and elected officials to make the City of Houston the best city in America. We invite all to attend this event. Our success lies in the fact that we have endorsed many winning candidates and endorse quality candidates. Many elected officials and numerous candidates are confirmed to attend.

Who: Harris County Tejano Democrats

What: Annual Endorsement Meeting

When: July 12, 2007 at 7:00 PM

Where: Harris County Democratic Party Office
1445 North Loop West, Suite 110
Houston, TX 77008

Posted by Charles Kuffner on July 12, 2007 to Election 2007