OP 10.33 honcho Mike Hernandez III just raised the ante for his two candidates against Port of Brownsville incumbents Tito Lopez and Ralph Cowen by giving them $20,000 more to take over the navigation district.
So far, Hernandez has given Ed Rivera and Raul Villanueva $20,000 each, $10,000 "in-kind" in the previous reporting period and another $10,000 each in cash this time.
Lopez and Cowen, apparently, don't fit the bill while Rivera, whose residency in the port district has been questioned, and Villanueva, a banker and a newcomer to local politics, are his kind of folks.
And despite protests that the group is not backing anyone in the Texas Southmost College race, Daniel Pizaña's campaign signs are adorning the front of their headquarters. Pizaña is running for Kiko Rendon's seat and has local attorney Ruben Herrera as his opponent.
And while Cowen's report for eight days before the election lists $7,625 in donations (and $6,477 in expenditures) from longtime port stevedores and local professionals, Villanueva reports $22,550 with $19,304 in expenditures.
Cowen's contributors are a list of Brownsville's Who's Who such as: attorney Alex Begum, Alamo Iron Works CEO William M. Connor, S & S Seafoods CEO Sammy Snodgrass, Stevedore Kenton Schaefer, pediatrician Asim Zamir. CPA Billy Bradford, Robert A. and Robert Lee Ostos, of Dix Shipping, and port commissioner John Wood, Pat Pace, Frank Parker, and Joe Rivera and among others.
Villanueva's main contributors for this reporting period are OP 10.33's Mike Hernandez, $10,000, of Colleyville, and his boss (Plains Bank Chairman of the Board) Alan B. White, $5,000, of Dallas. Contractor Carlos Medoza chipped in $2,500 and Rafael Chacon, of Terrazas Contractors another $500 as did ERO International (no name), of McAllen.
Tito Lopez lists no contributors except for the $20,000 loan to himself.
Rivera, on the other hand, lists $13,157 in contributions and $11,409 in expenses.
He also list as "in kind" contributions $675 from LAD T-shirts, and $2,500 for voter file access by the Texas Democratic Party in Austin.
Even City of Brownsville commissioner Rick Longoria got a piece of the OP 10.33 pie with his $500 payday for providing music to one of Villanueva's events April 26.
Meanwhile, passing motorists by the OP 10.33 headquarters can see that Rivera and TSC candidate Pizaña are the featured flavor of the day judging by their large signs in the front.
Early voting in the port and college elections continues Monday and Tuesday, May 3. Election day is May 7.
12 comments:
Rumors have it that ed Rivera pees sitting down!
I will vote for anybody that runs against Cowen...anybody! Cowen is a direct lineal descendant of John S. "Rip" Ford, but you won't hear him acknowledge that because it might damage his political career here is Browntown. What a chicken shit thing to do.
I find this to be despicable and cowardly and therefore will never vote for him, nor urge friends to do so.
This surprised me:
Roger Lee, Public Information Officer for OP 10.33 has announced the group's association with blogger Jim Barton of the Brownsville Observer. According to Lee: "Mr. Barton will chronicle developments in our job training program, needs and successes at the Port of Brownsville as well as educational opportunities in Brownsville. We are pleased that Jim and his wife, Nena, have joined Op 10.33's efforts to eradicate poverty in our beloved city."
Ralph Cowen was raised in Brownsville by a mother who was poor. . . . and i mean really poor . . . . she emphasized education for her children, they all went to public school in Brownsville, and for the most part have ended up successful. Any comparisons to him as a GRINGO are misplaced. He is pure Brownsville . . . . and the best of Brownsville at that. An anglo who grew up in Brownsville public schools with a strict and loving mother . . . . He is more Brownsville than many of the so called Mexican Americans who claim to "KNOW" Brownsville. Ralph's Son is Michael Cowen . . . the Pro Bono Champion of Lincoln Park who fought to protect the Park from sale to UTB. Ralph's Brother ,John Cowen, Employs close to 100 people in town and has built many businesses in our community. Ralph's Brother Paul is one of Senator Eddie Lucio's closest friends and served as the Senator's chief legislative aid for over 20 years. The LUCIOS are allegedly involved in helping Ralph but they are afraid to insult Mike Hernandez. There is an additional rumor that Eddie Lucio III, Is Op 33's lawyer (unverified). But ask the Lucios who they support in this one . . . . I'd be very curious. The Cowen family . . . their long time Political allies . . . .or Mike Hernandez . . . .the new deep pocket in Brownsville.
Additionally, Ralph's brother Phillip Cowen is a local attorney who represents indigent (poor) people in Court.
Ralph's nephew John Cowen Jr. is a member of the Dallas Federal reserve's "young rising star" committee.
The challenge Ralph by op 33 might have been a mistake. Time will tell, but Ralph is a very popular citizen of Brownsville. He gets to kick off Charro Days with the opening GRITO for crying out loud. He know almost everyone in town by their first name. Just saying . . . . Op 33 might have exposed themselves as newbies on this one.
I still cant tell you why they are running against Ralph. Hell is Raul Villanueva even from Brownsville? WTF?
First Jim was against OP1033 NOW HE MUST BE ON THE PAY ROLL
Shut the fuck up Duardo ! Your infatuation with Barton is beyond boring. Grow up you annoying , Roman Perez wannabe !
Funny. I heard the same thing.
Raul Villanueva is from Matamoros..........Nuff Said!!
Committed to the Community....of Laguna Vista. Fucker
One of the best bankers in Brownsville!
This is so funny I heard this at Vermilion Resturant the other night, man this man must not be liked. Lol
That's true, not a Brownsville residents
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