August 6, 2006
Candidate e-mails boast of support
The race for the District 33 Texas House district vacated by Vilma Luna has taken to cyberspace.
Rep. Solomon Ortiz Jr., who is vying for the nomination to fill out the term, sent an e-mail at 5:14 p.m. Wednesday touting his support among Democrats, with endorsements from the likes of Susie Luna Saldana, LULAC Council No. 4444 President Nancy Vera and Air America radio host John Kelley. Five hours later, contender Danny Noyola Sr. fired off an e-mail with endorsements from his supporters, including popular educators such as former Moody High School baseball Coach Steve Castillo.
Ortiz Jr. receives some more endorsements
Late Thursday, Ortiz got another endorsement when Regional Transportation Authority chairman Roland Barrera announced he will support Ortiz rather than seek the nomination himself.
He also got endorsements from Corpus Christi Independent School District board member Lucy Rubio, retired deputy sheriff Rachel Gonzales and Port of Corpus Christi Chairman Ruben Bonilla, who has often crossed swords with the younger Ortiz's more powerful papa, Congressman Solomon Sr.
Grandchild wants to keep family tradition
Cheering on Uncle Solomon Ortiz Jr. Thursday, Oscar Andres Sanchez, 3, Congressman Solomon Ortiz's only grandchild, talked about what he wants to be when he grows up.
"Congressman," said Oscar, the son of Ortiz's daughter, Yvette. "Like Baba (his pet name for his grandpa)."
With a little prodding from Solomon Jr., Oscar pointed out that "Baba" works "real far" away in Washington.
Shamsie is kidded about driver's licenses to come
Feria de las Flores queen Imelda Renee "Mellie" Valencia visited county commissioners Wednesday and received praise and shared more about herself.
Imelda, 17, will be a senior this year at Carroll High School.
County Judge Terry Shamsie joked with Imelda's father, who attended the meeting and took pictures, that he should get her a car.
Imelda replied she already has one.
"See what you have to look forward to?" Commissioner Betty Jean Longoria poked Shamsie, who has three children.
Shamsie laughed. "I'm giving them bus tokens," he said.
Candidate Bell unhappy about state of state parks
Touring state parks last weekend was an eye opener, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell said, because the park system, a big state treasure, is falling into massive disrepair, he said
Visiting the San Jacinto Museum of History near Houston, Bell groused this week that the state has not managed to keep the deck sealed on a historic battleship at the museum and that the surface is rusting through.
Touring the San Jacinto Monument, Bell said, "We had heard the elevator at the San Jacinto Monument does not go all the way to top," Bell said, pointing out that it is ludicrous to let the state's parks degrade.
"Then we find out it does not work at all. Sometimes the punchline just writes itself."
Bell is part of a crowded gubernatorial candidate field that also includes independents Carole Keeton Strayhorn and Kinky Friedman, and incumbent GOP governor Rick Perry.
Political Pulse is compiled and written by Caller-Times politics reporter Jaime Powell. This week's contributors include Powell and Denise Malan. Have a tip? Contact Powell at 886-3716 or powellj@ caller.com
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