When Carlos Masso first ran for the Brownsville Navigation District in 2004, the Port of Brownsville was at its nadir. Congressman Solomon Ortiz and State Senator Eddie Lucio Jr. had successfully conspired to steal $21 million from the taxpayers in one of the biggest scams in South Texas history. Masso took on the powerful incumbent Julius Collins and defeated him.
"The Port had a very negative image," said Masso. "We as board members found common ground so that we could move forward. Then we hired Eddie Campirano as Port director. He is an individual who understands politics and people. He has done an outstanding job and as a group we have achieved a series of accomplishments that in my opinion has restored the BND's credibility with the community."
Four years later Masso easily won reelection. He has upped the stakes. He is running for Cameron County District Attorney. He meets Ma
ria De Ford and former D.A. Luis Saenz in the Democratic primary. Like the Port in 2004, the county's judiciary, including the D.A.'s office, is held in low esteem in the wake of the Abel Limas' scandal.
"There is a lot of negativity," conceded Masso. "There are so many persons involved that we all find ourselves in a bad light. The entire judicial system has been compromised. But you have to move forward. You can't allow a few bad apples to undermine your commitment to justice."
Masso, the son of a Lebanese father and a Mexican mother, spent part of his childhood in Matamoros. His father died when he was five. He moved to Brownsville with his mother and four brothers a few years later. A Pace High product, he eventually graduated from the University of Southern Illinois with his law degree.
"I had a wife and three children," recalled Masso. "I came back to Brownsville and crammed for two months in preparation for the Texas bar. I needed to work. I had done everything in the past from security guard to bartender. I couldn't afford to fail this test. I passed and D.A. Yolanda De Leon hired me in 1999. After Armando Villalobos replaced her, I stayed until 2008 when I left for private practice."
Masso insists that it was a crucial move in his career. He had done nothing but prosecute and lacked the perspective of a defense attorney. He feels that during the last three years he has gained the knowledge to fill that void. Buoyed by experience and confidence, Masso is ready to step into the spotlight.
He recognizes that he is encountering a tough opponent in De Ford and a mysterious challenge from Saenz. He also knows that the Republicans will elect more than a token foe for next year's general election. If he is to be successful, he has 16 months of arduous campaigning ahead of him.
De Ford is counting on the female vote. According to the rrun-rrun, she also has Villalobos' support. Saenz, who is Villalobos' special prosecutor, is playing the role of spoiler. A De Ford triumph keeps the gravy flowing his way.
"If you compare Maria's and my legal backgrounds, I am more qualified. Luis, of course, has the experience, but there are too many skeletons in his closet. I have spoken with many colleagues and they tell me the same thing: He has entered this race to take votes from me in order to enable Maria to win. I understand that I have to communicate my message to the women to offset Maria's perceived advantage."
Masso argues that the D.A.'s office has to be more effective expediting cases. The courts are backlogged and the jails and prisons are overwhelmed. Masso asserts that he has the expertise to implement several solutions that will ameliorate the situation.
"I have paid my dues both professionally and politically," said Masso. "I am a regular guy who is ready to step up to the challenge. This is a grassroots effort. I have no illusions about the reality facing me. I am hitting the hustings with a positive attitude. I am confident that the voters will trust me to execute the duties of this office with honesty, integrity and efficiency."
"The Port had a very negative image," said Masso. "We as board members found common ground so that we could move forward. Then we hired Eddie Campirano as Port director. He is an individual who understands politics and people. He has done an outstanding job and as a group we have achieved a series of accomplishments that in my opinion has restored the BND's credibility with the community."
Four years later Masso easily won reelection. He has upped the stakes. He is running for Cameron County District Attorney. He meets Ma
ria De Ford and former D.A. Luis Saenz in the Democratic primary. Like the Port in 2004, the county's judiciary, including the D.A.'s office, is held in low esteem in the wake of the Abel Limas' scandal."There is a lot of negativity," conceded Masso. "There are so many persons involved that we all find ourselves in a bad light. The entire judicial system has been compromised. But you have to move forward. You can't allow a few bad apples to undermine your commitment to justice."
Masso, the son of a Lebanese father and a Mexican mother, spent part of his childhood in Matamoros. His father died when he was five. He moved to Brownsville with his mother and four brothers a few years later. A Pace High product, he eventually graduated from the University of Southern Illinois with his law degree.
"I had a wife and three children," recalled Masso. "I came back to Brownsville and crammed for two months in preparation for the Texas bar. I needed to work. I had done everything in the past from security guard to bartender. I couldn't afford to fail this test. I passed and D.A. Yolanda De Leon hired me in 1999. After Armando Villalobos replaced her, I stayed until 2008 when I left for private practice."
Masso insists that it was a crucial move in his career. He had done nothing but prosecute and lacked the perspective of a defense attorney. He feels that during the last three years he has gained the knowledge to fill that void. Buoyed by experience and confidence, Masso is ready to step into the spotlight.
He recognizes that he is encountering a tough opponent in De Ford and a mysterious challenge from Saenz. He also knows that the Republicans will elect more than a token foe for next year's general election. If he is to be successful, he has 16 months of arduous campaigning ahead of him.
De Ford is counting on the female vote. According to the rrun-rrun, she also has Villalobos' support. Saenz, who is Villalobos' special prosecutor, is playing the role of spoiler. A De Ford triumph keeps the gravy flowing his way.
"If you compare Maria's and my legal backgrounds, I am more qualified. Luis, of course, has the experience, but there are too many skeletons in his closet. I have spoken with many colleagues and they tell me the same thing: He has entered this race to take votes from me in order to enable Maria to win. I understand that I have to communicate my message to the women to offset Maria's perceived advantage."
Masso argues that the D.A.'s office has to be more effective expediting cases. The courts are backlogged and the jails and prisons are overwhelmed. Masso asserts that he has the expertise to implement several solutions that will ameliorate the situation.
"I have paid my dues both professionally and politically," said Masso. "I am a regular guy who is ready to step up to the challenge. This is a grassroots effort. I have no illusions about the reality facing me. I am hitting the hustings with a positive attitude. I am confident that the voters will trust me to execute the duties of this office with honesty, integrity and efficiency."
11 comments:
People who live in glass houses should not throw stones. Masso has a few skeletons himself which will be made public. How sad. One skeleton involves Masso, a local priest, a defendant and $20,000 paid to him. Put these all together and you get the picture. Yes, Masso was employed at the DA's office when he got paid!!
we do not trust "menso" maso, la india Maria le SORDa, not Saens "who reminds me of Limas".
They all are villalobos pawns.
Louis Saenz entering the fray will surely bring up the dirt and mud from his previous diddlings as DA. Louis Saenz has tremendous baggage and lots of skeletons will surely be exhumed by his opponents...or by those who want an honest DA for a change.
Mr. Editor: please eleborate on the Priest thing and $20.000 dollars. I want to hear this.
Masso is being endorsed by a Harlingen blog, no one likes.
The word is out, people are going to vote against anyone this particular blog endorses.
To all: Why is it that anytime there is money involved, lawyers have their hands in it.
So Mr. Masso is trying to market himself as Mr. Clean.
Well, the truth shall set you free.
Ask the residents about Masso and the priest who paid him. They will tell you who, what, how much and why. Maybe Brownsville Herald can do an in debth investigation.
Its going to be interesting in the next coming year??? You have three running for DA right now??? That is on the Democrat side??? Masso and Saenz have the experience and probably have skeletons in their closet??? As for De Ford, she is a new comer to the political scene??? Word around the county courthouse and former employees of the DA's office all say the same thing about her??? She is a liar, back stabber and kisses ass only for her benefit??? Villalobos is supporting her because he will still have control in that office. Why doesn't he support his second in command, Charles Mattingly??? Word is that he will be challenging the above three??? He is the one with the most experience but he is new to playing the politics??? He burnt bridges but at the behest of Villalobos, who continues to vacation out of the office??? De Ford is already bought by one of the 8 liner owners in the Harlingen area by the last name of Menchaca??? She has proven deceit by accepting his fundraising gratuity, twice??? Menchaca is also a financial supporter of Villalobos??? As far as Gus Garza, you make your own deduction on him???
To the citizens of Cameron County!!! Vote for the one you truly believe will represent the county and its constituents!!! God Bless America!!!
Is that Menchaca guy the son of Juan Menchaca from Harlingen who was compadre of Conrado Cantu. They use to eat breakfast at Rosita's in Harlingen. Conrado and Juan M. senior.
And his son is supporting DeFord, OMG.
During the Christmas parade he was criticize for driving a vehicle with pictures of women with skimpy looking dresses during the parade. A number of people complained. An article appeared in the VMS.
Mr. Masso, is being an endorsed by a blog operator from Harlingen, who's son in law was killed by drug dealers. Check, myharlingennews.blogspot.com bloggers are commenting on that blog. Check it out, very interesting.
How much did Manny Vasquez contribute to Tony Martinez' campaign? If not directly, and who was on Rusteberg's IBC committee that contributed $2,500 to Martinez?
EMMANUEL DID IN-KIND CONSULTING (POLITIQUEAR) FOR EDDIE "PANOCHA' TREVIñO,
AND IN-KIND CONSULTING (POLITIQUIANDO) FOR TONY "EL MAñA" MARTINEZ.
I can't wait either to hear about the priest, the defendant and the $20,000.
Carlos Masso
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