Sunday, October 25, 2026
FOR LA CULTURA VIVE VOLUNTEERS IT'S AN ANNUAL LABOR OF LOVE
Ed.'s Note: We had purchased chicken and sausage barbecue plates for one of the annual La Cultura Vive fundraisers to stage the Texas Best Conjunto Competition for high school groups across South Texas. In the photo above, we caught founder and organizer Carlo Hernandez's best side as he helps the ladies dole out the succulent chicken plates. (The Mexican rice is delicious and the chicken is soft and dripping in its own juices.)
Their hard work pays for the venue and other necessities of hosting the largest school conjunto competition in the state. Our deep gratitude and big shoutout and congratulations to this bunch for making the event happen every year. The Elks Lodge 2876 lent their facilities this Saturday to the group to host the fundraiser. Hohner Accordions is now hosting the event yearly. Contributions are always welcome to support this effort to keep our musical traditions (to make one, call (956) 592-4475). Timo Ruedas and Juan Castillo are also on the roster as are all the ladies in the serving lines. Gracias, guys and gals!
WHAT GINA'S SURGE IN TEXAS SAYS ABOUT THE MIDTERMS
By Lulu Garcia-Navarro
New York Times
Democrats have Texas-size dreams this election of flipping a state that has eluded them since the 1990s.
Democrats have Texas-size dreams this election of flipping a state that has eluded them since the 1990s.
While the Democratic candidate for Senate, James Talarico, has gotten most of the attention and money in that fight, another Democrat, Gina Hinojosa, has looked surprisingly competitive against the most powerful politician in the state: Gov. Greg Abbott, the Republican running for an unprecedented fourth term.
Hinojosa is a Texas state legislator who represents parts of liberal Austin. Her political rise began on her local school board, where she was inspired to run for the State Legislature because of cuts to public school funding under Abbott. That became one of her signature issues, which she has carried over into her run for governor.
When she began her campaign, she was seen as the longest of long shots: a Latina with little statewide name recognition and not a lot of financial support.
Hinojosa is a Texas state legislator who represents parts of liberal Austin. Her political rise began on her local school board, where she was inspired to run for the State Legislature because of cuts to public school funding under Abbott. That became one of her signature issues, which she has carried over into her run for governor.
When she began her campaign, she was seen as the longest of long shots: a Latina with little statewide name recognition and not a lot of financial support.
Today, the most recent New York Times/Siena University poll shows her narrowly ahead of Abbott, and national Democrats are finally taking notice, directing money toward the race in these last few crucial weeks.
I asked Hinojosa whether that will be enough to overcome an extremely well-funded Abbott, who declined our interview request. We also talked about why she is focusing on affordability, education and data centers rather than what she calls “culture-war issues” and how she is trying to pull in disaffected rural MAGA voters. Can she win? And what will it say about Texas if she does?
Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for governor, speaks on her appeal to MAGA voters and her refusal to engage in “the culture wars.”
I was told by a Texas reporter that in some ways you ran for governor — a position last held by your party in 1995 by another woman, Ann Richards — as a sacrificial lamb. It was the longest of long shots, you had no real chance, but basically some Democrat had to do it and so it might as well be you. Did you see it that way too?
Gina Hinojosa, the Democratic nominee for governor, speaks on her appeal to MAGA voters and her refusal to engage in “the culture wars.”
I was told by a Texas reporter that in some ways you ran for governor — a position last held by your party in 1995 by another woman, Ann Richards — as a sacrificial lamb. It was the longest of long shots, you had no real chance, but basically some Democrat had to do it and so it might as well be you. Did you see it that way too?
No. I wouldn’t have given up a year of my life away from my family to be on the road all across the state to be a sacrificial lamb. I am running to win. It is not an easy endeavor to do this, and it took everything out of me from this last year.
Texas keeps breaking Democratic hearts. What are you doing differently than, say, Beto O’Rourke, who was the last Democrat to run against Abbott? He had a lot of name recognition, a lot of momentum behind him nationally, and yet he still lost by 11 points.
Texas keeps breaking Democratic hearts. What are you doing differently than, say, Beto O’Rourke, who was the last Democrat to run against Abbott? He had a lot of name recognition, a lot of momentum behind him nationally, and yet he still lost by 11 points.
I don’t know that I can compare my candidacy to Beto’s. It’s a different time. In 2026, the data centers have been a physical manifestation of a governor doing the bidding of the moneyed interests and leaving the people of Texas to fend for themselves. And so in that way, rural Texas has felt betrayed by Greg Abbott because many of these data centers have descended upon rural Texas where there are no rules really.
I was in the Panhandle, Amarillo, talking to residents where they are fighting the world’s largest data center. It is called Project Matador. Its investors are Rick Perry, our former governor, and his son. They negotiated a deal to get all of their water in this drought-prone area for the data center from the city water supply. When residents asked what happens if we run out of water, the response they told me they got from municipal water was, Well, we will have to turn off the residents’ first. That’s the environment we’re living in in Texas. And so people understand that we are fighting a fight where it’s all of us in the same boat versus like 15 billionaire tech dudes.
When you go to these rural areas, are you trying to get disaffected MAGA voters to turn your way? What is the overall plan on who to persuade, because obviously your time and your resources are finite, so you have to pick and choose who you’re trying to get to listen to your message.
I was in the Panhandle, Amarillo, talking to residents where they are fighting the world’s largest data center. It is called Project Matador. Its investors are Rick Perry, our former governor, and his son. They negotiated a deal to get all of their water in this drought-prone area for the data center from the city water supply. When residents asked what happens if we run out of water, the response they told me they got from municipal water was, Well, we will have to turn off the residents’ first. That’s the environment we’re living in in Texas. And so people understand that we are fighting a fight where it’s all of us in the same boat versus like 15 billionaire tech dudes.
When you go to these rural areas, are you trying to get disaffected MAGA voters to turn your way? What is the overall plan on who to persuade, because obviously your time and your resources are finite, so you have to pick and choose who you’re trying to get to listen to your message.
It’s everybody. I have not picked and chosen. I have been all over the state with all communities. To be clear, it is not a moderating message. It is reaching out to Democrats, Republicans, independents, with a populist message. And yes, I need Trump supporters to support this race. Trump won Texas, Trump won the Latino vote in Texas. Absolutely, they are invited to be part of this coalition.
To read rest of the interview, click on link: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/24/magazine/gina-hinojosa-interview.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share
Saturday, October 24, 2026
COUNTY EMPLOYEES TO BE PROTECTED BY MAURO GARZA
TIDBITS:
* County employees who did not openly support Steve Guerra threatened with termination
* Mauro Garza promises to protect them as "institutional knowledge"
SHE HAD A DREAM! GINA IS A 1992 BROWNSVILLE HANNA H.S. GOLDEN EAGLE!
Brownsville High School (Hanna) 1992 yearbook
By Dee Dee Cavazos
Wow! Look at this!
I pulled out my 1992 Hanna High School yearbook the other day and lo and behold!, look what I found!
This is Gina during our senior year, and this is what she wrote in our yearbook about what she saw herself in 10 years.
"In 10 years I will establish my career in a prominent law firm while strategizing my campaign for the next Texas gubernatorial elections after having Governor Ann Richards' endorsement."
AMAZING!
Just think about that for a moment! Even as a young girl, Gina had big hopes, big dreams, and a vision of one day becoming the Governor of Texas!
And here we are, all those years later, watching that dream become a reality as she runs for Governor of the great state of Texas!
What makes this so special t me is that this wasn't some dream that she came up with this overnight. It was something she envisioned for herself way back in high school!
Gina is genuine. Gina is intelligent. Gina is compassionate. She has the heart, determination, and dedication to lead our great state.
And I couldn't be prouder to see my childhood friend pursuing the very dream she wrote about all those years ago. From the pages of our high school yearbook to the race for Governor of Texas! How incredible is that?
I'm rotting for you, Gina! Texas would be so fortunate to have you as our new governor.
VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!
#GINA FOR TEXAS
NEW MELANIA TRUMP LOW: STEALING THE POPE'S THUNDER
Meida's Touch
WAIT A MINUTE: Melania Trump is now being credited with brokering a ceasefire in Ukraine by the White House—just one week after Pope Leo personally called Vladimir Putin to push for the SAME THING.
On October 16, Reuters reported that Pope Leo had called Putin to request a ceasefire in the Russian-occupied Ukrainian town of Oleshky to allow desperately needed humanitarian aid and food to reach civilians.
The Kremlin confirmed Putin had agreed to cooperate. The Vatican made clear the initiative came from the Pope himself.
Fast-forward to today.
The White House is now announcing that Melania Trump brokered a ceasefire in Oleshky, claiming SHE initiated discussions with Russian and Ukrainian leadership.
The Associated Press is reporting the White House's account without mentioning the Pope's earlier intervention.
So why is the White House taking credit for an initiative Pope Leo was publicly pursuing a week ago?
"I really don't care. Do you?" Oh, yeah! The former Jeffrey Epstein escort gal really knows empathy.
5-TIME DRAFT DODGER: VOTE REPUBLICAN OR NO $$$ FOR TOXIC-WATER MARINES. AND NOT A PEEP FROM RUBBER-STAMP ERIC FLORES (D-34) FOR HIS COERCION AGAINST VETERANS?
DOES TRUMP'S YES-MAN ERIC FLORES AGAINST DEMOCRAT CHENTE GONZALEZ SUPPORT HIS GREAT LEADER ON USMC TOXIC–WATER VETS? APPARENTLY, YES
By Kylie Spencer
This week, the orange guy said he will direct the U.S. Department Of Justice to “settle all remaining legitimate [Camp Lejeune] claims as soon as possible,” but only if the GOP wins both the House and Senate in November.
I have been thinking about how to word this since I heard the clip, and it's hard to put into words.
Tying money that our families are OWED to Republicans winning the House and Senate is disgusting.
I have been thinking about how to word this since I heard the clip, and it's hard to put into words.
Tying money that our families are OWED to Republicans winning the House and Senate is disgusting.
A bill was already passed to allow us to reach settlements, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022, but most remain unresolved. He says he can fast-track the settlements, but only if we vote for his party?
Those sick vets signed up to fight for this country, not the Republican Party. If he is suddenly able to fast-track those settlements after the midterms, that means he was able to do the same for the last two years and just didn't do it?
He is making promises to sick and dying veterans that he cannot keep. The claims and settlements are processed through the DOJ, and we've been waiting years! 
Over 1 million Marines and their families were poisoned, the truth was covered up, and now we are being used as a political tool to gain votes after waiting so many years for justice. He will tell you how much he cares about vets, but using their pain for votes is low, even for him.
My dad joined the Marines and signed up to fight for this country, and they knowingly poisoned him to death.
He doesn't get to see his grandkids grow up.
My son never got to meet his Papaw Joe.
He died in horrible pain, and now his death and the deaths and terrible illnesses of others are being used as a tool to gain votes.
My dad was a proud Marine his whole life, and the thing that he was most proud of took him from us.
Watching this president use his death to garner votes when he has done nothing for us all this time makes me sick.
Friday, October 23, 2026
STEVE GUERRA: FIRST KIDNAPPING, THEN HUACHICOL, NOW MEDICAID FRAUD?
Frankie Olivo Graphic with permission
Special to El Rrun-Rrun
Newly-published reports in social media have revealed that family members of current Cameron County Judge Democratic candidate Steve Guerra have been receiving Medicaid benefits designed to assist low-income families.
This, while Guerra is apparently living high off the hog, driving new vehicles, and have just finished construction a home in a subdivision where homes average in the $300,000+ appraised values.
Guerra is on the ballot as the Democratic candidate facing opponent Mauro Garza. Early voting started Oct. 19 and stretch until Oct. 30. Election Day is Nov. 3.
Unofficial sources have indicated that state and federal authorities are already looking into reports that the Guerras have been on the public dole for at least the past four years. If so, there has obviously been a gross failure in the system that would allow the disbursement of benefits to these well-to-do family members.
Medicaid covers low-income adults, children, pregnant women, seniors (age 65+), and people with disabilities. Eligibility depends on your household income relative to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)—typically up to 138 percent of the FPL in states that expanded Medicaid — as well as your state's specific rules, family size, and residency status.
Medicaid covers low-income adults, children, pregnant women, seniors (age 65+), and people with disabilities. Eligibility depends on your household income relative to the Federal Poverty Level (FPL)—typically up to 138 percent of the FPL in states that expanded Medicaid — as well as your state's specific rules, family size, and residency status.
For Guerra – who has refused to answer past documented charges of kidnapping and illegal fuel shipment to Mexico (huachicol) – this is the latest revelation which besmirch his character as a public official. Memes posted in social media throughout the political campaign have portrayed Guerra as an insatiable hog on the public through (see graphic at right).
The petition to the court states that Guerra and the two other defendants lured the victim to Matamoros where the assault occurred. The record does not indicate the monetary arrangements for a settlement of the case.
"These are not rumors," the signs appearing on a roadside sign read. "These are allegations contained in a sworn court record. Voters deserve answers. Ask the hard questions. Is this the kind of leader you want in office? 
Then it was – also documented – Guerra exporting allegedly illegal fuel while he was a commissioner at the Port of Brownsville to cartel-controlled companies in Mexico to avoid paying Mexican taxes and pocketing millions of dollars through an LLC called Warrior Fuels.
The huachicol scheme came to light when Guerra and Warrior Fuels were sued for non payment of some $333,484.47 and attached copies of 24 invoices totaling shipments of diesel and other petroleum products they had shipped at Warrior Fuel Traders' request over a one-month period in 2020 that had not been paid.
In Cause No: 2022-DCL-5154-I plaintiff Key Performance lists a systematic record of transactions that make up the outstanding balance of Warrior Fuel Traders, LLC.
Government investigations revealed that Warrior Fuel Traders/Steve Guerra was in direct business with Pyrodiesel Del Cento SA de CV. Pyrodiesel has been named as a principal in cartel fuel smuggling activities (huachicol) of petroleum by the Federal Criminal Intelligence Center of Mexico. https://es-us.noticias.yahoo.com/huachicoleros-controlaban-puertos-pa%C3%ADs-060000638.html
More questions are now being raised on the alleged drawing of Medicaid payments for dental and medical services meant for low-income families:
Is Guerra living high off the hog on taxpayer dollars?
If eventually confirmed, is it fair for someone living in a newly-constructed luxury home, driving brand-new vehicles, and sending their children to private school to receive Medicaid benefits intended to support low-income families?
Could the Democratic nominee for Cameron County Judge be exploiting a taxpayer-funded program designed to assist families who genuinely need financial assistance? Voters of Cameron County deserve answers.
NOT JUST NAMES ON A BUILDING: THEY DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY
Daniel Irvin Rucker and Ricky Carrisalez
RGV South Texas Veterans
October 21 marks the birthday of a fallen hero born right here in Brownsville. Let’s take a moment to remember Trooper David Irvine Rucker and the life behind his name.
Trooper David Irvine Rucker was born in Brownsville, but grew up in Homestead, Florida, and later studied at Texas Southmost College in Brownsville. He graduated from the Dade County Police Academy and served with the Homestead Police Department before continuing his law enforcement career in Texas.
Trooper David Irvine Rucker was born in Brownsville, but grew up in Homestead, Florida, and later studied at Texas Southmost College in Brownsville. He graduated from the Dade County Police Academy and served with the Homestead Police Department before continuing his law enforcement career in Texas.
Patrolman Enrique “Ricky” L. Carrisalez was a young Los Fresnos officer who was just 25 years old and had served for 11 months.
Their names remain part of our community. The Carrizales-Rucker Detention Center near Olmito bears their name, and in 2012, DPS dedicated a Rio Grande River patrol vessel in Rucker's honor. Those memorials help carry his story forward.
To our officers working tonight: stay alert, watch your six, and look out for one another.
Rest in peace, DPS Trooper Rucker and Patrolman Carrisalez. Brownsville and Los Fresnos remembers. We remember.
Rucker joined the Texas Department of Public Safety in 1968 and was stationed in Port Isabel, serving the communities and roads many of us travel today.
On September 29, 1981, Trooper Rucker was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Cameron County. He was 37 years old and left behind his wife and three children. His family lost a husband and father, and our Valley lost a public servant.
On September 29, 1981, Patrolman Carrisalez stopped a speeding vehicle near the intersection of Texas Highway 100 and FM 1847. As he stepped out of his patrol vehicle, the other driver opened fire. Despite being wounded, Carrisalez returned fire. A civilian riding with him called for help and provided a description of the vehicle.
What Carrisalez did not know was that the same suspect had killed Texas Highway Patrol Trooper Rucker during another traffic stop just minutes earlier.
Their names remain part of our community. The Carrizales-Rucker Detention Center near Olmito bears their name, and in 2012, DPS dedicated a Rio Grande River patrol vessel in Rucker's honor. Those memorials help carry his story forward.
Patrolman Carrisalez died from his wounds on October 7, 1981. His badge number was 302.
Eleven months of service. A life cut short at 25. Those numbers tell only part of his story. Behind that badge was a person whose life mattered, whose service mattered, and whose loss remains part of our Valley’s history.
But remembering takes more than seeing a name on a building or a memorial. It means taking time to learn who that person was and recognizing the family and fellow officers who continue to carry that loss. We remember his service, his sacrifice, and his place in our Valley’s history.
Rest in peace, Trooper Rucker and Patrolman Carrisalez. You have not been forgotten.
Behind those badges were people whose life mattered, whose service mattered, and whose loss remains part of our Valley’s history.
Here at RGV South Texas Veterans, we honor his service and remember the family, friends, and fellow officers who carried that loss. Time should never erase the names of those who gave their lives serving our communities.
But remembering takes more than seeing a name on a building or a memorial. It means taking time to learn who that person was and recognizing the family and fellow officers who continue to carry that loss. We remember his service, his sacrifice, and his place in our Valley’s history.
Rest in peace, Trooper Rucker and Patrolman Carrisalez. You have not been forgotten.
Behind those badges were people whose life mattered, whose service mattered, and whose loss remains part of our Valley’s history.
Here at RGV South Texas Veterans, we honor his service and remember the family, friends, and fellow officers who carried that loss. Time should never erase the names of those who gave their lives serving our communities.
To our officers working tonight: stay alert, watch your six, and look out for one another.
Rest in peace, DPS Trooper Rucker and Patrolman Carrisalez. Brownsville and Los Fresnos remembers. We remember.
REJECT TRUMP'S RUBBER STAMP FLORES; TAKE BACK THE U.S. HOUSE W-CHENTE
DONALD TRUMP IS THE ONE PULLING ERIC FLORES' STRINGS: FLORES PROMISED HE'LL SUPPORT TRUMP'S AGENDA – EVEN THOUGH IT'S HURTING SOUTH TEXAS.
$100 OF TRUMP-FLORES "AFFORDABILITY" AT HEB:
Two packages of bone-in steak loin, two of beef skirts, a package of chicken breasts, six tins of HEB tuna, three Barilla spaghetti boxes and a bag of oranges
* He'll support tariffs that are increasing grocery prices and hurting farmers and small businesses
* He'll support ICE harassment and mass deportations of law-abiding residents
LET'S TAKE THE U.S. HOUSE OF REPS. FROM TRUMP! REJECT FLORES, VOTE FOR:
Thursday, October 22, 2026
TRUMP: SQUELCH AOC SEARCH WARRANT UNTIL AFTER MIDTERM ELECTIONS
By David Edwards
Raw Story
President Donald Trump's Justice Department asked a judge for a delay that would keep the warrant for the unusual raid on the home of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) secret through the midterm electiosn.
Lawyers in U.S. Attorney Jeanne Pirro's office asked Chief Judge James Boasberg in a motion filed Wednesday to push back the deadlines for answering three requests to unseal the warrant records.
Neither of the two timelines the government proposed would release the records before the election on Nov. 3. “[G]ood cause exists to extend these deadlines until after the subject search warrant has been fully executed,” the motion insists.
The motion does not say when that will happen or what work remains. The government also asked to submit its reasons in a separate, sealed, ex parte memo, meaning only the judge would see it.
Under the government’s main proposal, the motion says, a new deadline for its response would be set only after the warrant’s execution is complete. The DOJ would then have 30 days to notify the court, and the two sides would get another week to confer and file a joint report on “next steps,” the government wrote.
If Boasberg declines to wait, the government asked him to make Nov. 9 the deadline for all three requests, the date he had already set for the request filed by the conservative watchdog Judicial Watch, the motion says. That is six days after the election.
The groups behind all three requests, including 14 news organizations and The New York Times, oppose the delay, according to the filing.
In their Oct. 15 request, the news organizations cited a 2008 ruling from the same court that found “the routine practice is to make warrant materials publicly available after a search has been executed and a return is available.” A return lists the items agents seized.
In a response to government lawyers that was attached to the motion, the Times wrote, “We are also perplexed regarding what ‘execution’ you refer to. As has been well-publicized, the Government executed the search warrant on October 12, 2026, and subpoenas have been served on Rep. Omar’s family members.”
“The public’s immediate right of access obviously would be thwarted by an effectively unlimited suspension of the Government’s deadline to respond to The Times’s Application,” the Times argued.
“The continuing lack of transparency surrounding the search warrant and related filings is especially intolerable in the run-up to an election in which Rep. Omar is a candidate for office,” the Times added.
Homeland Security Investigations agents searched Omar’s Washington home on Oct. 12 in what the Justice Department called an “ongoing federal criminal investigation,” CNN reported.
Omar is running for reelection, and the outlet reported that the department rarely takes such an aggressive step against a candidate so close to an election.
The Times wants the government held to its current deadline of Thursday, which Boasberg set on Oct. 15 for both the Times and the news organizations, according to the filings.
President Donald Trump's Justice Department asked a judge for a delay that would keep the warrant for the unusual raid on the home of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) secret through the midterm electiosn.
Lawyers in U.S. Attorney Jeanne Pirro's office asked Chief Judge James Boasberg in a motion filed Wednesday to push back the deadlines for answering three requests to unseal the warrant records.
Neither of the two timelines the government proposed would release the records before the election on Nov. 3. “[G]ood cause exists to extend these deadlines until after the subject search warrant has been fully executed,” the motion insists.
The motion does not say when that will happen or what work remains. The government also asked to submit its reasons in a separate, sealed, ex parte memo, meaning only the judge would see it.
Under the government’s main proposal, the motion says, a new deadline for its response would be set only after the warrant’s execution is complete. The DOJ would then have 30 days to notify the court, and the two sides would get another week to confer and file a joint report on “next steps,” the government wrote.
If Boasberg declines to wait, the government asked him to make Nov. 9 the deadline for all three requests, the date he had already set for the request filed by the conservative watchdog Judicial Watch, the motion says. That is six days after the election.
The groups behind all three requests, including 14 news organizations and The New York Times, oppose the delay, according to the filing.
In their Oct. 15 request, the news organizations cited a 2008 ruling from the same court that found “the routine practice is to make warrant materials publicly available after a search has been executed and a return is available.” A return lists the items agents seized.
In a response to government lawyers that was attached to the motion, the Times wrote, “We are also perplexed regarding what ‘execution’ you refer to. As has been well-publicized, the Government executed the search warrant on October 12, 2026, and subpoenas have been served on Rep. Omar’s family members.”
“The public’s immediate right of access obviously would be thwarted by an effectively unlimited suspension of the Government’s deadline to respond to The Times’s Application,” the Times argued.
“The continuing lack of transparency surrounding the search warrant and related filings is especially intolerable in the run-up to an election in which Rep. Omar is a candidate for office,” the Times added.
Homeland Security Investigations agents searched Omar’s Washington home on Oct. 12 in what the Justice Department called an “ongoing federal criminal investigation,” CNN reported.
Omar is running for reelection, and the outlet reported that the department rarely takes such an aggressive step against a candidate so close to an election.
The Times wants the government held to its current deadline of Thursday, which Boasberg set on Oct. 15 for both the Times and the news organizations, according to the filings.
A TALE TOLD BY IDIOTS, FULL OF SOUND AND FURY, SIGNIFYING NOTHING
By Joe Rodriguez
El Rrun-Rrun's San Bene Correspondent
Various Sources
The San Benito City Commission met for the 2nd City Commission Regular Meeting of the month. After being tabled on the 1st meeting of the month, the Censure Resolution was back on the agenda for round two.
Suffice it to say that the entire Censure Resolution was a complete sham. However, it did pass with "Yes" votes from Commissioners Rick Perez, Victor Gonzalez, and Daniel Cortez. "Nay" votes were Mayor Pete Galvan and Mayor Pro Tem Joe Navarro.
(The three commissioners voted to reprimand Galvan, arguing his statements about potentially withholding EDC funding were threatening.
The San Benito City Commission met for the 2nd City Commission Regular Meeting of the month. After being tabled on the 1st meeting of the month, the Censure Resolution was back on the agenda for round two.
Suffice it to say that the entire Censure Resolution was a complete sham. However, it did pass with "Yes" votes from Commissioners Rick Perez, Victor Gonzalez, and Daniel Cortez. "Nay" votes were Mayor Pete Galvan and Mayor Pro Tem Joe Navarro.
(The three commissioners voted to reprimand Galvan, arguing his statements about potentially withholding EDC funding were threatening.
Galvan disagreed: “There were never any threats made, just accountability.”
Now Galvan is considering letting voters decide whether half of the EDC’s approximately $1.8 MILLION in annual sales tax revenue should be redirected toward repairing San Benito’s streets.
That’s potentially $900,000 for roads. The city attorney reportedly confirmed the censure cannot legally silence or remove the mayor.)
That’s potentially $900,000 for roads. The city attorney reportedly confirmed the censure cannot legally silence or remove the mayor.)
These three commissioners (all newly elected City Commissioners) who supported the Censure Resolution are the same commissioners who tried to evict the Mayor from the City Commission after, in a previous City Commission, walked out of an Executive Session that had extended way past midnight during discussion to select a new City Manager. The three commissioners had the three votes to select their choice for City Manager so extending the discussion was a moot point.
The entire premise of the Censure Resolution was predicated on a letter the EDC Attorney sent to either the City Administration or the City Attorney. Nobody really knows because the City refuses to release to the public neither the Censure Resolution nor the letter from the EDC attorney.
Public Information Requests were submitted and now past the 10 business days deadline, NADA.
There was not an iota of evidence (audio or witness) presented to prove that what the EDC attorney alleged was true or even said by Mayor Pedro A. Galvan, "Pete". The EDC attorney did not even bother to attend and present his version of what was allegedly said.
Even the assistant EDC Director (Mario Palomo) who was present during the interaction between the Mayor and the EDC attorney (who I presume was on the speakerphone) attended Tuesday night's City Commission meeting.
So the two main witnesses who complained about being threatened by the Mayor decided not to show up and present their case.
A Censure Resolution has no 'legal teeth'. It is just an available measure used by any majority of any board/commission/council etc etc to seek revenge on a board/commission/council member they don't agree with.
Mayor Pedro A. Galvan, "Pete" stated he did not receive a copy of the Censure Resolution until this past Saturday before the Tuesday night meeting for the 2nd time the Censure Resolution was on the agenda.
The entire premise of the Censure Resolution was predicated on a letter the EDC Attorney sent to either the City Administration or the City Attorney. Nobody really knows because the City refuses to release to the public neither the Censure Resolution nor the letter from the EDC attorney.
Public Information Requests were submitted and now past the 10 business days deadline, NADA.
There was not an iota of evidence (audio or witness) presented to prove that what the EDC attorney alleged was true or even said by Mayor Pedro A. Galvan, "Pete". The EDC attorney did not even bother to attend and present his version of what was allegedly said.
Even the assistant EDC Director (Mario Palomo) who was present during the interaction between the Mayor and the EDC attorney (who I presume was on the speakerphone) attended Tuesday night's City Commission meeting.
So the two main witnesses who complained about being threatened by the Mayor decided not to show up and present their case.
A Censure Resolution has no 'legal teeth'. It is just an available measure used by any majority of any board/commission/council etc etc to seek revenge on a board/commission/council member they don't agree with.
Mayor Pedro A. Galvan, "Pete" stated he did not receive a copy of the Censure Resolution until this past Saturday before the Tuesday night meeting for the 2nd time the Censure Resolution was on the agenda.
ABBOTT, PAXTON, DE LA CRUZ: DO NOT ASK FOR WHOM THE BELLS TOLL...
Giving Republican fits: Bobby Pulido, James Talarico, Gina Hinojosa
By Malcolm FergusonThe New Republic
Harris County, Texas—Texas’s most populous county, which Kamala Harris won in 2024 with 52 percent of the vote—broke its early voting record on Monday, eclipsing the previous mark by a whopping 41,000 votes.
More than 104,600 people in Harris County voted in person on Monday, the first day of early voting in Texas, according to the county’s elections department. That breaks the previous record set in 2018, when 63,188 votes were cast and Democrats went on to recapture the House.
Newsweek is calling this a “warning sign to Republicans” and “an encouraging sign for Democrats,” since Dallas and Houston traditionally vote Democratic.
While Monday’s turnout isn’t necessarily indicative of a Democratic advantage, the broken record indicates that Texans have been strongly compelled to participate electorally by any number of factors, which could include affordability, ICE raids, and President Trump’s war on Iran.
Harris County, Texas—Texas’s most populous county, which Kamala Harris won in 2024 with 52 percent of the vote—broke its early voting record on Monday, eclipsing the previous mark by a whopping 41,000 votes.
More than 104,600 people in Harris County voted in person on Monday, the first day of early voting in Texas, according to the county’s elections department. That breaks the previous record set in 2018, when 63,188 votes were cast and Democrats went on to recapture the House.
Newsweek is calling this a “warning sign to Republicans” and “an encouraging sign for Democrats,” since Dallas and Houston traditionally vote Democratic.
While Monday’s turnout isn’t necessarily indicative of a Democratic advantage, the broken record indicates that Texans have been strongly compelled to participate electorally by any number of factors, which could include affordability, ICE raids, and President Trump’s war on Iran.
“The coffee that I buy two years ago was $12 for a big can, and now it’s $25 for the same thing, it’s ridiculous,” one voter told KPRC-TV’s Sandy Torres.
“[The] cost of living is way too high, war in Iran, our support to Ukraine,” said another.
“Thirty years of one party dominating the state; it’s time to get the other guy’s chance,” said one more.
This comes ahead of one of the most contested Senate races in the country between Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton and Democrat James Talarico—a contest that could turn the state blue for the first time in over three decades. IN D-15, Bobby Pulido leads Monica De la Cruz and Gina Hinojosa is running neck to neck with Gov. Greg Abbott. The swelling Blue Wave could oust the three Republicans.
This positive development also comes less than a week after voting rights groups sued the Texas Department of Public Safety over a “glitch” that caused 600,000 Texans to have their voting registration delayed.
Early voting is open for 11 more days in Harris County.
Wednesday, October 21, 2026
DON'T LET YOR GUARD DOWN: THEY'RE STILL AFTER BOCA CHICA PARK
Valleygroundnews post
The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says no Boca Chica sale at its November meeting
The TPWD says its commission "is not considering the sale of the Boca Chica property at its November meeting," according to a statement from spokesperson Stephanie Garcia reported by Texas Monthly.
The statement came after Texas Monthly asked about a draft agenda for the commission's Nov. 5 meeting. According to Texas Monthly, that draft listed a closed-door executive session item on the sale of "1,300 acres" in Cameron County.
Two sources familiar with internal discussions, who were not named, told Texas Monthly that the property is Boca Chica State Park and that SpaceX is the prospective buyer. Those sources said the item could be taken up by the commission at a later date.
Texas Monthly reported that, as of press time, TPWD had not answered follow-up questions, including why the agenda apparently changed and whether the issue has been tabled indefinitely.
Background:
• In March 2024, the commission authorized TPWD to pursue a swap of about 43 acres of Boca Chica State Park for about 477 acres near Laguna Atascosa National Wildlife Refuge. SpaceX later withdrew from that deal.
• In August 2025, the commission authorized the sale of four non-contiguous parcels at the park, totaling about 1.9 acres, to SpaceX. TPWD staff said the lots, inside an existing subdivision, had minimal conservation and recreation value.
The commission's next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 4-5, 2026.
ARE THE CITY PROPOSITIONS SLOWING DOWN THE BLUE WAVE?
TWO DAYS OF EARLY VOTING 2026: 18,067
TWO DAYS OF EARLY VOTING 2024: 20,780
TWO DAYS OF EARLY VOTING 2022: 12,706
TWO DAYS OF EARLY VOTING 2020: 19,614
(Ed.'s Note: At first blush, it may seem that the Democratic "blue wave" has not arrived at Cameron County polling places, but this assumption disappears when you take into consideration that 2024 and 2020 were presidential election years. A better comparison would be 2026 and 2022, both in the midterms. In that comparison, the two -day early voting 2026 turnout is surging some 5,360 votes higher (18,067-12,706) than the early voting turnout for the first two days of the turnout in 2022.
Some Democrats are saying that the inclusion of the City of Brownsville's Proposition elections is slowing down the voting as voters – specially the elderly – struggle through the long propositions to cast their vote. There are 10 more days remaining in the 2026 early voting period. At this rate, and if the turnout stays at the same proportions, 2026 will see a midterms surge as predicted by "blue-wave" Democrats.)
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
STEVE GUERRA'S TRUE COLORS (A D.I.N.0.) WHILE CALLING FOR DEM UNITY
Special to El Rrun-Rrun
One of Guerra's cyber gunslingers in particular, was defrocked lawman (constable) from Rio Hondo Josaphat "Hoss" Lozano, who goes by the anagram "Ozel Sonasno," and who had to give up his law enforcement certification as a result of charges of abuse of official authority, went beyond the limits of propriety and unleashed a scorched earth campaign against Treviño's supporters. Nothing was holy, and elected officials, their employees, and even innocent bystanders and their relatives were not spared from his relentless poisonous keyboard.
They say that lightning doesn't strike in the same place twice, but the election of two Republican county judges in deep-blue Cameron County in the recent past belies that saying.
Is Steve Guerra...
(A) DINO (Democrat In Name Only)
(B) RINO (Republican In Name Only)
(C) None (or both) of the above
Answer: Probably C, or something close.
As early voting approaches for the Nov. 3 general election, Democratic Party candidate for Cameron County Judge Steve Guerra has taken to the social media air waves with a message of Democratic unity, kumbaya, and brotherhood to party loyalists to defeat Republican Party banner holder Mauro Garza.
It happens almost every election cycle. The Democrats draw blood among each other in the March party primary, then spend the rest of the year between the primary and the November election courting the support of their social media victims asking them to join hands and to let bygones be bygones.
At least, that's the way it is supposed to happen.
But Cameron County is different.
This is a county that went rouge in at least four past elections by electing a Republican county judge – two times for Tony Garza and twice for Carlos Cascos – since 1988 when Garza was first elected with the support of Democrat county commissioners. In that time, curiously, they accomplished this in four elections when the rest of the county's elected offices down the ballot went traditionally blue wave for the democrats.
Party lines become blurred, and even more so if the primary blood letting becomes too vicious. The Republican Party mascot may be the elephant, but Democrats also have long memories and sometimes are unwilling to forget perceived offenses if they feel that their opponents' attacks go beyond the red line of party civility and competitiveness.
Take, for example, recent assertions by Mauro Garza, Guerra's opponent in the county judge's race, that the Democrat sought
him out inquiring whether Garza, a Republican, would consider withdrawing from his party's primary so that Guerra could run unopposed in that party's primary without having to campaign against incumbent Eddie Treviño in the Democratic Party primary. When that failed and Garza would not withdraw, Guerra resorted to a stand-by option of running former county district clerk and sheriff Eric Garza as a "stalking horse" in the Democratic Party primary to draw enough votes from Treviño and force a runoff which he won.
Even then, Guerra garnered only 30 percent of the votes cast in the primary, Garza got a close 26 percent, and Treviño another 44 percent. In other words, 70 percent of the primary voters cast their ballots against Guerra, but Garza drew enough votes – 26 percent, almost the same as Guerra – to force a runoff which Guerra won with 55 percent over Treviño.
But it was the runoff social media campaign which left a bad taste in Democrats' mouths, and where Treviño and his supporters – (he was endorsed by the entire commissioners court and the majority of county elected officials) – were demonized and mauled by Guerra's social media operatives and hired guns.
Treviño was accused by these operatives with everything from getting kickbacks from SpaceX's Elon Musk, selling Boca Chica Beach to SpaceX for bags of money, of robbing PUB ratepayers through his firm's legal fees, taking money from el Cartel del Golfo and depicted as a rat on a leash being handled by Musk and doing his bidding. When Treviño's supporters protested, they, in turn, became the targets of his social media minions through various platforms and mauled in their cyber pages. (None of these allegations have ever been proven true, but if it sticks, well...)
(The insertion of the cartel is interesting, since Guerra is the grandson of its founder Juan N. Guerra. A diversion?)
Guerra, of course, feigned innocence of the attacks even though
intercepted communications indicated that Lozano and Guerra were coordinating the attacks against his fellow Democrats.
Sometimes it got ugly,as when "Ozel Sonazno" attacked social media poster David Mungia and cast aspersions against his family, and both were called out by Munguia. Intercepted graphics included a photograph taken of a county commissioner's assistant helping a voter taken by Guerra and sent to Lozano to use in his attacks (right) against the commissioner and the employee.
(Since he was defrocked as a lawman, Lozano's next incarnation was of a teacher, and immediately ran afoul for throwing his weight around and has been charged with harassment of students (Raymondville and Progreso ISDs) and of making false accusations against public officials.
A former school attorney who deposed him in his lawsuit against a school district said simply that Hoss was a "bully."
More recently, this June he posted a story and photo on social media claiming a privately owned white Chevrolet Corvette was worked on in the RISD maintenance shop, resulting in a complaint being filed by RISD Police Chief Oscar Gutierrez, who is also in charge of the school district's maintenance shop.)
Undaunted, his next reincarnation was self-proclaiming himself a star "investigative journalist" to question elected officials' suspected sordid intentions. No one was spared the fury of this scorned muckraker.
Now Guerra want everyone to forget.
But will they? Take, for example, the fact that right before the primaries, Steve and his "team" were publicly courting U.S. Representative D-34 Vicente Gonzalez, and at the same time, kowtowing to Republican primary winner Eric Flores, in effect burning the candle at both ends.
Guerra, of course, denied this and vows he is a true Democrat, but photos of his campaign team, city Brownsville city commissioner Pedro Cardenas and public-funds hustler Arturo "Turi" Treviño – one (Cardenas) posing with Flores, and another (Treviño) wearing a MAGA hat at a July 4th celebration at Boca Chica Beach – give a different picture of where the "team's" loyalties lie. 
But the bloodletting by Guerra's minions hasn't stopped. In recent posts Guerra's henchman "Ozel Sonazno" has sought to discredit other Democrats who haven't kissed his ring.
One notable target has been Cameron County County Clerk Sylvia Garza-Perez who drew their ire and was accused of allegedly supporting Guerra's opponent Mauro Garza after a picture of her son Edward appeared on social media when both men inadvertently ran into each other at a local Whataburger restaurant.
One notable target has been Cameron County County Clerk Sylvia Garza-Perez who drew their ire and was accused of allegedly supporting Guerra's opponent Mauro Garza after a picture of her son Edward appeared on social media when both men inadvertently ran into each other at a local Whataburger restaurant.
In his post, "Hoss" accuses her – a true yellow-dog Democrat – of plotting against Guerra and posting a fake photo montage of her together with Republicans Eric Flores and Mauro Garza and of working against his boss and plotting against him and other Democrats.
To her credit, Garza-Perez did not fall for the bait and kept her own counsel. But by allowing his attack dog to maul her publicly and accusing her of not being a "real" Democrat, Guerra might have crossed the line with county Democrats who know the county clerk is about as loyal a Democrat as they come.
He didn't stop there. He also accused her of being a "snake in the grass" and undermining the Democrats "behind their backs."
He claims that the word on the street is that she is looking for an opponent to Cameron County District Attorney Luis V. Saenz, that she thinks Cameron County Democratic chairman Jared Hockema is "incompetent," and that U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez is a "party boy."
She, of course, vehemently denies these spurious allegations. And since it has been proven that Guerra and "Hoss" are running in tandem, it can only be surmised that Guerra approved of these attacks in order for her to toe the party line and kiss the ring.
(Kind of reminds you of the Q-Anon conspiracy theory about Hillary Clinton involved with a pedophile ring operating out of a pizzeria in San Francisco when in reality, it was a distraction to mask Epstein, Musk, and Trump's involvement – among other powerful men – who were operating a world-wide pedophile ring. Only in Cameron County, a Democrat using a page from the Republicans' bag of tricks.)
When three county commissioners in 1988 did the unthinkable and endorsed Republican county judge candidate Tony Garza, they said the qualities of their party's candidate (Ray Ramon) forced them to put aside their party loyalty and urged their constituents to vote for Garza, which they did and then - obviously satisfied with the future Ambassador to Mexico's performance - voted him in again four years later.
"Sometimes party loyalty demands too much," they wrote in "An Appeal to Reason" published in local newspapers like the Brownsville Herald and the Valley Morning Star.
They say that lightning doesn't strike in the same place twice, but the election of two Republican county judges in deep-blue Cameron County in the recent past belies that saying.
So, as we asked above: Is Guerra a DINO (Democrat In Name Only), a RINO (Republican In Name Only), or none (or both) of the above? Apparently neither, Steve is only for Steve.
Will voters reject the indiscriminate bloodletting by the Guerra camp on Democrats and see it strike a third time? And if they did, who could blame them?
MENU HAS CHANGED TO RICOS ELOTES FOR FREE AT TIMO'S REELECTION BASH!
Before the rich sponsors were going to get steak, salads, dessert, expensive wine and alcohol cocktails.
Oh, well, y'all come!
FROM THE MAN WHO SAID AFFORDABILITY WAS A DEMOCRATIC HOAX
La Cebolla
WASHINGTON—Touting the enormous impact his trade policy has had on the economy, President Donald Trump boasted in a speech Monday that the tariffs he had imposed on goods from other countries had proven highly successful at making things more expensive.
“Thanks to my tariffs, the cost of buying virtually anything is now bigger and better than ever before,” said Trump, who added that he was happy to take “full credit” for the surging prices Americans were seeing for everything from gas to eggs to dishwasher detergent.
“For years, things were affordable, and no other president had done anything about it. But I delivered in a huge way on my promise to make the purchase of basic household staples a complete nightmare. If voters want to see more of this, they should remember to show up at the polls in November.”
Trump also boasted that the Iran war had finally allowed the United States to successfully close the Strait of Hormuz.
STING RAYS AND BREWERS SET FOR WORLD SERIES...
Rays and Brewers to clash in World Series as both teams seek first MLB title. Both clubs enter as their league’s respective No. 1 seed, buoyed by a heavy dose of youth, savvy veteran leadership and excellent pitching.
THEY TOOK BOCA CHICA, AND PUT IT IN A BEACH MUSEUM AND THEY CHARGED THE PEOPLE, A $1 AND A HALF JUST TO SEE IT...
We urge the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (TPWD) to reject the proposed sale of Boca Chica State Park to Elon Musk and SpaceX.
Boca Chica Beach is an important coastal habitat for wildlife, including endangered migratory birds and ocelots. Texas should protect our state parks, not sell them to the highest bidder. Boca Chica is meant for the people, not for a billionaire to buy and exploit. Here's a news article with background information about the proposed sale: https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/boca-chica-spacex-elon-musk/
Selling this public parkland to SpaceX would further destroy this sensitive ecosystem and limit public access. For years, SpaceX launches have destroyed wildlife habitat, damaged homes, and polluted the beach; they must not be allowed to obtain more land to expand their unnecessary rocket launches.
Tell the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to reject the proposed sale of Boca Chica to SpaceX and protect the habitat and public access for future generations.
Selling this public parkland to SpaceX would further destroy this sensitive ecosystem and limit public access. For years, SpaceX launches have destroyed wildlife habitat, damaged homes, and polluted the beach; they must not be allowed to obtain more land to expand their unnecessary rocket launches.
Tell the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission to reject the proposed sale of Boca Chica to SpaceX and protect the habitat and public access for future generations.
To sing the petition, click on link: https://actionnetwork.org/letters/tell-texas-parks-wildlife-dont-sell-boca-chica-beach-to-elon-musk-and-spacex?source=direct_link&
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