IN A LAND OF NO KINGS, BETANCOURT DEMANDS HIS ROYAL CUT

Special to El Rrun-Rrun

For the past few years, Democrats in South Texas have watched what used to be traditionally "safe" state and county seats slide from blue to purple, and – in 2024 – go entirely red as Trumpmania, with all its prejudices and hate-filled policies, swept all decency aside.

We have seen as the result of what that slide has produced: ICE thugs aided and abetted by right-wing politicians in Austin and Washington roam our streets like masked hoodlums, snatch people from their jobs, invade public spaces, trespass on private property – even churches – terrorizing our fellow citizens. They respect no one, women and children, the elderly, as they struggle to make ends meet and provide for their families.

 And what has the response been from many of our locally-elected Democratic leaders and office holders? For the most part, a deafening silence. They seem to be content with letting these abuses continue as long as the check is there every two weeks. Let's take an example.

Since 2005 – that's nearly 20 YEARS – voters have filled the dark oval on the ballot for entrenched office holders like Cameron County Treasurer David Betancourt. He has reigned over his entitled position for two decades while taxpayers foot his salary and his fellow county commissioners rewarded him with a $12,693 salary hike for FY 2025-2026, lifting his total compensation from $83,676 to $96,368. 

Ask taxpayers if that has increased his office's efficiency. It’s an open secret that Bentancourt hardly shows to work, and if you’re looking for any  new ideas to better the Treasurer’s office, you best look somewhere else. 

Now, as he faces a challenger in former JP Jonathan Gracia who has openly called for change and lower taxes on our homes, Betancourt has literally, and conveniently, altered his campaign signs promising to – you guessed it –  to lower taxes in a epiphany election-season revelation. This new tune sounds less like reform and more like desperation to keep the Betancourt gravy train going.

(After Gracia called for lower taxes, Betancourt's signs conveniently plastered an addition saying he was "helping to lower taxes," while giving himself a salary raise.)

He is now running around town assuring anyone who will listen that this will be his last term. Really!?! What – may we ask –  does he plan on accomplishing in the next four years that he couldn’t – or wouldn’t – deliver in the last two decades? If the solutions were truly within reach, why did it take an election year for them to surface? The timing doesn’t suggest leadership; it suggests convenience. And the taxpayers of Cameron County have seen enough “last-term” promises to know how that story usually ends.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, everyone will acknowledge that the Democrats are under siege by the Republicans in Cameron County and across South Texas. It’s going to take energetic and engaged leaders to withstand the attacks that will not stop for the foreseeable future. 

Betancourt – who was fortunate to come from a lineage that includes his respected late father Adolfo, a WWII combat veteran of foreign wars and a real fighter for our rights as a county court-at-law judge – has ridden those coattails his entire life, although he is neither. Adolfo and his wife Juanita worked tirelessly to uphold our Democratic ideals and we respect their memory. David has not. 

Up to now he hasn't had to work or worry because his name recognition has carried him to a campaign victory, and he has flaunted his entitlement to public office – and check – as if it was a family heirloom.  Then came the moment that confirmed his entitlement: a smiling photo on social media of King David wearing a crown. This is from a man who every four years claims to be of the people. Democrats have long stood for “no kings.” Yet here’s Betancourt (tone deaf), ruling over rising taxes while pretending he just noticed the problem. He’s not only out of touch with the taxpayers but with Democratic Party principles as well. It was during his watch that Republicans made inroads into local government and nary a peep from him.

Cameron County deserves leadership that looks forward, not a career politician clinging to a crown. It’s time to end the reign of empty promises and bring in real change. This election is not just about a position. It is about upholding our commitment to democracy and the defense of our ideals against the red wave of intolerance and cruelty. Bystanding won't cut it anymore.

Gracia promises change. After 20 years, Betancourt has proven that as long as he's getting his, he couldn't care what happens to the rest of us.