By Juan Montoya
There will be no Box 13 to help Solomon Ortiz salvage the remnants of his 28-year congressional career. Or for that matter, John Wood's fortunes as an elected official in Cameron County.
Even as the upset by Republican Blake Farenthold by 799 votes was being analyzed by political wonks from here by political wonks from here to the Potomac, the Democrat perennial had not conceded by early Wednesday morning.
Now, apparently, he is considering a recount as is Wood.Unofficial returns indicate that Blake Farenthold received 50,954 votes to Ortiz's 50,155. The 799 difference placed the 47-year-old attorney from Corpus Christi in the 27th District seat.
Voters first elected Ortiz to the US House back in the 1982. He has served continuously since.
Voters first elected Ortiz to the US House back in the 1982. He has served continuously since.
The returns in the county judge's race, the District 27 congressional contest, and previously, the TSC college district, has brought encouragement to local political activists since it demonstrates that local voters will not be led around by the nose and that positions previously thought to be heirlooms for some politicians and their offspring no longer are a sure thing.
"The results in these elections show us that there are thinking, discriminating voters out there who break through the party lines and elect the person they think is best suited for the job," said a longtime political activist.
"For the first time in many years I am optimist that we will have representatives who will listen to the people instead of depending on their political machines to keep them in their positions allowing tghem to ignore the wishes of the average citizen. There is a fresh wind blowing in the Rio Grande Valley and that's for the good. The people are taking back control of their government."
3 comments:
Now we need to get rid of Eddie Lucio and his pathetic clowne. I swear, that would be a celebration.
It would be like having the winds of lake Erie blow in the Valley. Good write up.
Salomon Ortiz, thank you for your services, but their no longer needed.
BASTA CON SALMON QUE SE VAYA HA ordeƱar otra vaca.
...uh...
...so this makes the 27th a swing district?
...whatever...
Its the Valley vs. Corpos now. How big will the 799 vote margin inflate to (in favor of the Dems) when we've got Barrak on the ballot in '12 and Hillary in '16. This guy is likely to become a republicrat, just to survive. ...heck... He's already hanging on by his fingernails...
The real question is: who's been hangin around Paseo Plaza that will be challenging from the left? ...cuz... whomever it is has a ready made stalion in search of a younger jockey (hopefully one that went to [at least] tech school). ...knowing the valley, probably some fucking legacy...
Adios mi Solomon. You deserved better than to go out this way.
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