Texas Democrats Elect Their First Hispanic Chairman
HOUSTON — Texas Democrats, trying to compete in a state that overwhelmingly favors Republican candidates for executive, legislative and judicial offices, elected their first Hispanic chairman Saturday.
In a reflection of the state’s burgeoning Hispanic growth and the party’s longtime success with Latinos, delegates overwhelmingly elected Gilberto Hinojosa as the next party chairman. He will replace outgoing chairman Boyd Richie, who announced in April 2011 that he would not seek another term after six years on the job.
Hinojosa successfully breathed some life into the sparse crowd on the convention floor with a fiery speech before the delegates cast ...
Comments (10)
Steven Kite
“We are a compassionate people. We don’t believe in pulling up the ladder after we reach the top.”
With all due respect, Señor Hinojosa, that's not true of the Republicans.... They're no longer concerned with compassion except as a sales slogan, and they are not only intent on pulling up the ladder, they have fires burning atop the wall for boiling oil and stacks of stones for dropping on anyone who dares try to climb.
Colleen Casey via Texas Tribune on Facebook
We are making history here in Texas.
San Benito
Have the Democrats lost their minds?? The only ones cheering the election of Gilbert Hinojosa in South Texas are the REPUBLICANS. Hinojosa was chased out of office by the Democrats years ago, who voted for a REPUBLICAN County Judge over his awful leadership, in an area that is 85 percent hispanic and democrat. Here are some actual comments and news articles about him, from his own home in the Valley: http://www.kveo.com/news/ballot-re-counter-claims-being-forced-to-change-votes
Ballot Re-counter Claims Being Forced to Change Votes
Channel 23 News transcript
"Gilbert Hinojosa interfered and stopped us, called Roger Ortiz. Roger Ortiz said no, that's a Wood vote."
That’s what Christina Chambers claims happened all day long as she re-counted hundreds of ballots. The re-count took place last Friday and Saturday at the Central Jury Room inside the Cameron Courthouse.
"What were you told? What were the directions for everyone recounting the votes? Just to count the ballots and if any ballot had two markings bubbled in for Carlos and Wood was a spoiled ballot."
But she says those directions were thrown out the window once she started counting.
"We had seen on some ballots where the voter had bubbled in democrat and put an X over democrat, even though he bubbled it and voted down the whole ticket and then when we got to Cascos and Wood but put an X over Cascos so we couldn't tell the intent of the voter because they did the same over democrat and did the same thing over Carlos Cascos. It was counted for Wood because he voted democrat."
Under Section 65.007 of the Texas Election Code, it states, “If a ballot indicates a straight party vote and a vote for an opponent of one or more of that party's nominees, a vote shall be counted for the opponent and for each of the party's other nominees whether or not any of those nominees have received individual votes.”
"They tell us in the beginning, they told us the rules. They said, you can't, you don't know the intent of the voter automatically. They can vote straight democrat, republican. They can still vote for liberal, green, or you know? And they still counted them for Wood."
Something that confused her tremendously because she says she was told one thing earlier in the day, yet the election's administrator told her something different once Hinojosa questioned her counting.
"If Gilbert Hinojosa argued about it, Roger Ortiz would say it's for Wood. If we found a ballot that was bubbled in for Cascos and Wood, we put them to the side because to me, that was a spoiled ballot and everybody else at the table. If I saw a ballot that was spoiled, I would put it to the side and question it, they'd give it to Wood, John Wood."
This is the first time Chambers ever volunteered to re-count ballots. As a voter herself, she says this experience has left many scars and now doubts if she'll ever go out to the polls again.
"I don't want to vote. I don't. I don't see a point in supporting someone if it's not going to be done right."
The canvassing of the recount votes was supposed to be held tomorrow afternoon, but due to an error in the wording on the agenda, the canvassing has been rescheduled for Monday.
San Benito
Former DEMOCRATS in Cameron County, Hispanics who switched to the Republican party, credit Gilbert Hinojosa for why they left the Democrats.
"Its nights like this that remind me why I left the Democrat Party"
November 14th, 2010 |
By Priscilla Rodriguez
I can’t sleep.
I was a recount poll watcher for Cameron County Judge Race, as were some of my friends. Early tonight, it was announced that Judge Cascos won by 50 votes. I had been surprised that John Wood picked up 27 votes since normal recounts only turn up 3-5. As of yesterday, John Wood had only picked up about 4-6 additional votes from Election Day. Early voting results had already been through a review board. Our job today was to recount, as per instructions of elections administrator and not “interpret” or dispute votes since all votes had already been through a ballot review board. So I thought the 27 vote pick up was already strange. Add to that the fact that BISD ballot boxes were brought in and we were told to look for General Election ballots there. Weird that these weren’t noticed before. Where did these ballots come from? Why weren’t they noticed when BISD votes were canvassed? And were these ballots included in the original count or canvassing?
Then around midnight, an election worker “found” a tally or votes that had not been “counted.”. Conveniently, 55 votes mysteriously turned up to put John Wood up by 5. The weird part is that all the Democrats knew & were celebrating outside. Roger Ortiz, the elections admin swears he only called Judge Cascos. Uh huh. Right. I was one of 3 Republicans told at 3 am. Hours after the Democrats had been celebrating, even though election office workers swear they didn’t tell anyone. Really? Am I in Florida? No wait, this is South Texas & there is a reason why I left the Democrat Party. Stuff like this is why. The party will continue to lose young people like me until stuff like this stops and even true Democrat victories will always be tainted because of the reputation of South Texas corruption.
As someone who was there and who had a significant other that was there…Not enough Cascos votes were overturned nor were there enough Wood votes being gained at the tables to have results like this. The fact that Roger Ortiz’ election worker couldn’t look anyone in the eye doesn’t bode well either. Add to that the fact the Gilbert Hinojosa was made a Cascos election worker cry and was there to intimidate people doesn’t make matters better. Add to that other irregularities, and well….
Whether you supported Judge Cascos or not, I seriously doubt people should be celebrating when the integrity of the entire process is put into question.
Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.
San Benito
Comments about Hinojosa from South Texas blogs (did the Democrats spend less than an hour researching this guy's devastation on the Democrat party in South Texas before they elected him???!!!)
"Can you give us more data on Gilbert? What specifically makes him so bad?"
Well, when County Judge, he tried like hell to sell off Isla Blanca park to hotel concerns. There was the whole "Red River" trash debacle, constant promotion of the status quo within the party, promoting Hilary even after the convention chose Obama, denying any use of Cameron County Democratic Party assets to be used for Obama later in the general election, again after the convention picked Obama. The list goes on and on......
"Gilberto Hinojosa Moves to Stop Corruption in Cameron County
Headline should read, Gilberto Hinojosa Moves, out of Brownsville. This should Stop Corruption in Cameron County. It's all about the puctuation."
"What a shame for the Democrats of the State of Texas. Best thing that ever happened to the Republican Party in Cameron County was David Sanchez and then Gilberto Hinojosa's miserable leadership of the Local Drmocrats!! Now, Gilberto wants to take his "leadership" abilities and control the State of Texas. What a shame !!"
"It is miraculous that this guy is not in prison yet. His assent to state chair for the Democratic party is a horror show in slow motion."
"Villalobos (Cameron County DA and Congressional Candidate who was indicted for racketeering and abuse of office) serves us like Conrado Cantu....stupid and under the influence of Gilberto Hinojosa and his Dumbokratic Party corruption and fraud. Villalobos is a DICK and his indictment is timely and right."
"If the Democrats want division and are happy losing elections....then they should choose Hinojosa; he will surely destroy the start party as he did locally. "
"limas scandal is not over i am sure gilberto will get his part in due time puras calabacitas baby"
LOL! You know, I literally believe you are more than right. I hope you are, anyways. Cause I'm on my way to Cobbleheads saloon to start betting on it. Good day to ya!
"When Gilberto Hinojosa decided to give up the Cameron County Democratic Chair to run for the state version of that office it was a godsend to the citizens of Brownsville and Cameron County. Hinojosa has been viewed by many as the poster boy for corruption, backdoor dealing and influencing elections in Cameron County and is closely associated with Abel Limas, Conrado Cantu and Jim Solis. The obvious win-win situation would be for Hinojosa to vacate the county chair, then lose his bid for the state chair."
"After having lost to Republican Carlos Cascos for Cameron County Judge, presiding over the Democratic Party in the county and seeing Cascos again defeat John Wood, his party's nominee for judge, Gilbert Hinojosa now thinks he is eminently qualified to hold the chairmanship of the Texas Democratic party.
Never mind the fact that two years ago, for the first time in 28 years, Republican Blake Farenthold became the first GOP congressman in District 27 that includes the state's southernmost tip, a traditional Democratic seat held by his bud Solomon Ortiz.
What are the Democratic Party leaders in the state thinking?"
San Benito
IF IT SQUIRMS LIKE A PIG, WALLOWS LIKE A PIG, AND OINKS LIKE A PIG, IT MUST BE A DEMOCRAT GILBERT
By Juan Montoya
I find it difficult to believe that Democratic Party Chairman Gilbert Hinojosa contends that political party affiliation is not a factor in the ongoing corruption investigation resulting from the plea agreement with former 404th District Judge Abel C. Limas.
Let's see.
Limas was a Democrat.
Jim Solis a Democrat, from 1993 through 2006 and represented District 38, in Harlingen.
Former Cameron County Judge Gilberto Hinojosa, an attorney and head of the Cameron County Democratic Party, was one of four attorneys favored by Limas for ad litem appointments.
Former Cameron County Court-at-Law No. 3 Judge Daniel T. Robles resigned from office in February 2009, saying that he planned to join Solis’ practice in Harlingen. Will his name be up next time an indictment comes down from the feds?
Let's rewind.
Brownsville Herald. April 23, 2000
Cameron County Judge Gilberto Hinojosa together with his partner Juan Magallanes have received the most in ad-litem fees, records show. Combined, they have pulled in $126,000 in six appointments alone. An additional $55,000 was pulled in by Magallanes but with State Rep. Rene Oliveira, district clerk public records reflect. Judge Ben Euresti approved most of the fees awarded to this group. Oliveira received an additional $40,000 from two appointments made by Euresti and former Judge Darrell Hester. Ernesto Gamez has received the next-highest amount of ad-litem money. Gamez frequently contributes to political campaigns, and along with Magallanes and others guaranteed a loan for Limas in his bid for the 404th.
Gamez has received $64,250 in nine appointments but the amount is greater, records also reflect.
Oliveira, by the way, was also quoted in the newspaper expressing dismay over the Limas case. Was he expressing dismay over the fact that Limas is looking at nearly a quarter century of prison time? Or is he expressing dismay that the gravy train has stopped?
Now, Gilbert, how many of those named on this post are Republican?
San Benito
Anonymous said...
Gilberto Hinojosa is at the heart of the corruption in the Democratic Party of Cameron County. The Democratic Party is to corruption in Cameron County as local doctors are to corruption in the medicare and medicaid systems. Corruption abounds...so we have lawyers loyal to the Democratic Party and their corruption, in order the make a living...off of ad litems, guardianships, probate appointments and judicial favors. Gilberto Hinojosa is at the heart and soul of this corruption of the Hispanic community. Behind that bushy moustache is a forked tongue devil...who serves no one but himself.
May 2, 2011 2:41 PM
Leon Drozd
If this fellow isn't the right guy, then Democrats should fine someone who is. This is a critical time for leadership and a two party system is critical. Texas already suffers from too much right wing, Republican inbreeding. Hinohosa would be smart to breathe some life into other up and coming leaders in the state rather than take center stage. If he can inspire and motivate new leaders, he will have been successful.
Ulysses Atomic
Gilberto Hinojosa...Viva Racism !
We remember the racist efforts and mean commentary that then Cameron County Judge Hinojosa stated he would rule the day when he would run all of the Anglo's aka whites out of the Rio Grande Valley. A card carrying member of La Rasa. Where is the Texas Democratic party headed with this nomination ? Not all Latino's follow this divisive character in out state.
Look to his past and recent associations...The RGV is a wonderful way to cut your teeth on honing your crooked skills with the likes of Ray Marchan, the recently indicted partner of Hinojosa.This guy is just plain bad.
Dear Journalists: Peel the onion...see the dirty layers, feel the slime.
Anya Khan
This is horrible for Democrats. We are truly hitting rock bottom. Open racism, hostile acts. This is not what Texas needs.