2010: South Texans for Perry [Updated]

If Gov. Rick Perry had any hurt feelings from the defection of Grand Prairie’s Republican mayor to the Bill White campaign last week, an announcement today might make up for it.

Yesterday, Perry's campaign sent out a release promising a "important campaign announcement" today at 2 p.m. Now we know, according to a Perry spokesperson, that the governor will reveal the endorsements of a mostly Democratic group of thirty current and former elected officials from the traditionally blue Rio Grande Valley in Mission, where he’s traveling for a prayer luncheon honoring yesterday's National Day of Prayer.

Update:

Here are some quotes from this afternoon's event:

Pharr Mayor Polo Palacios: “I am a Democrat and I am supporting Gov. Perry because he's been a good governor for Pharr, the housing community and economic development. My family came from Mexico and growing up I was always taught to respect those that help you and treat you well. Gov. Perry’s efforts have helped our community. We have worked together and, time after time, Gov. Perry has not let us down.”

La Feria Mayor Steve Brewer: “Gov. Perry has worked so hard for South Texas and I am so proud of him. His team did an unbelievable job during Hurricane Dolly – we were underwater and Gov. Perry wasted no time in dispatching the state guard.”

Elsa Mayor Senovio Castillo: “Gov. Perry really cares about South Texas. The City of Elsa has been helped tremendously by Gov. Perry.  He was there when we needed him. We were well prepared before Hurricane Dolly hit because of his efforts.”

The full list of names:

Norberto Salinas, Mayor, City of Mission

Polo Palacios, Mayor, City of Pharr

Ramiro Rodriguez, Mayor, City of Palmhurst

Robert Pinkerton, Mayor, City of South Padre Island

Susie Houston, Mayor, Town of Laguna Vista

Henry De La Paz, Jr., Mayor, City of Lyford

Senovio Castillo, Mayor, City of Elsa

Steve Brewer, Mayor, City of La Feria

Leo Olivarez, Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Mission

Adan Farias, Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Pharr

Leonardo Garcia, Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Mercedes

Eduardo Gonzalez, Mayor Pro-Tem, City of Edcouch

Oscar Elizondo, Jr., Commissioner, City of Pharr

Arturo Cortez, Commissioner, City of Pharr

Bobby Carrillo, Commissioner, City of Pharr

Ruben Plata, Commissioner, City of Mission

Maria Elena Ramirez, Commissioner, City of Mission

Norie Garza, Commissioner, City of Mission

Cain Caceres, Commissioner, City of Elsa

Oscar Garcia, City Commissioner, City of Elsa

Oscar Martinez, School Board Member, Mission I.S.D.

Raymond R. Longoria, School Board Member, Mission I.S.D.

James E. Olivarez, School Board Member, Mission I.S.D.

Antonio Barco, School Board Member, Edcouch-Elsa I.S.D.

Rick Morales, Former Mayor, City of Donna

Rick Rodriguez, Former Mayor, City of Harlingen

Kevin Hiles, Former Mayor, City of Rio Grande City

Horacio Pena, Former District Judge, 92^nd District

Tom Wingate, Former District Judge, 430^th District

Leo Longoria, Chief of Police, City of Mission