South Texas Politics Blog

25/07/2024

POLITICAL NEWCOMER JENNY CRON SECOND HIGHEST VOTE-GETTER IN ROUND ONE OF THE 13TH COURT OF APPEALS RACES

SOUTH TEXAS NEWS SERVICE -- Corpus Christi Attorney Jenny Cron, a Republican candidate for 13th Court of Appeals, won more votes in the recent political primary than any of the Democratic candidates running for four judicial spots on the Court, a surprising turn of events for the first-time candidate. The region covered by the court stretches from the Rio Grande Valley up to Wharton and Matagorda counties.
Cron also had the second highest vote total of all eight candidates running for the 13th Court of Appeals, finishing a close second behind current Republican Justice Jaime Tijerina who is running for the Chief Justice position.
Cron, an attorney, mom and former prosecutor, wound up with 87,042 votes for Place 2 in the Republican primary while longtime Justice Nora Longoria only brought in 60,984 votes in the Democratic primary. Cron will face Longoria on November 5 in the general election for the Place 2 position.
That’s a difference of 26,058 votes, a surprising turnaround for a Court that until the last few years has been controlled by Democrats. The current 13th Court of Appeals has three Democrats and three Republicans on the court. Four positions are up for election in the November 5 general election.

30/05/2024

Water, or the LACK of water, is a big issue all over South Texas. Corpus Christi is still trying to figure out desal and the Valley can't get Mexico to live up to its treaty obligations.

As the spring sunshine continues to scorch, the combined storage at the two international reservoirs that supply the bulk of the Rio Grande Valley’s freshwater has done something it hasn’t done in decades — fallen below 20%.

29/05/2024

Looks like Corpus Christi Mayor Paulette Guajardo has decided to try and pander to Republicans. 🤔 Wonder how much that has to do with rumors about who else is running....

Thank you, Governor Abbott, for your dedication and support to our veterans by announcing the largest amount of grant funding in history—over $44 million in Fund for Veterans’ Assistance grants—to benefit more than 41,000 veterans and their families.

These funds will provide essential resources to veterans in Corpus Christi, including counseling, financial support, and housing assistance.

Texas proudly supports our nation’s heroes. For more information, please visit http://TVC.Texas.Gov.

28/05/2024

How’s this for a ?! I’m proud to have begun my career in Kleberg County. As your next Justice on the 13th Court of Appeals, I will continue to stand up for what is right and apply the law fairly.

28/05/2024

What do you think? Good use of inmate time?

10/04/2024

Apparently it's city council race time....The anti-Prop A guys had a gathering a couple of weeks ago and now Elect Larry Elizondo seems to be announcing for At-Large tonight at a local fundraiser. Word is the At-Large race will be even more crowded than usual. Grab your popcorn, it's about to get interesting!

04/03/2024

Wow, this race for the Democratic nomination is getting wild and crazy.

04/02/2024

The Texas Conservative Coalition has named Corpus Christi's Todd Hunter a "Courageous Conservative" for 2023-2024.
"I'm proud of my work this past session to secure the border, lower taxes, protect your freedom to choose whether or not you get a vaccine, and grow our state economy. Hunter said. "Texas has a bright future ahead and I'm proud to be a part of making it happen!"

04/02/2024

The race for Congressional District 27 is heating up with four candidates running for the office, including incumbent Congressman Michael Cloud, former law enforcement officer and businessman Scott Mandel, ex military Louis Espindola and former businessman Chris Mapp.
Mandel, who has had a hugely successful career as a businessman and government contractor dealing with border issues, is considered by most to be the candidate with the best chance of beating Cloud and has a video running on his website that looks and sounds like a TV campaign commercial. He is from the the district's largest county and is gaining support around the district. Espindola is getting a lot of credence especially after Cloud's campaign manager tried to stop him from shaking hands with Cloud at an Republican event where the three other candidates were told they would not be welcome. Mapp has run for Congress several times and against U.S. Senator John Cornyn where he is best remembered for telling the Dallas Morning News that " ranchers should be allowed to shoot on sight anyone illegally crossing the border on to their land, referred to such people as 'wetbacks,' and called the president a 'socialist son of a bitch." Later Mapp said use of the racial epithet is as "normal as breathing air in South Texas."
So far most of the campaign has centered around Cloud's alleged broken promise to only serve three terms (he is seeking his fourth) plus allegations that he refuses to bring tax dollars back to his district to help build infrastructure or even to help industry vital to the national interest.
With early voting looming in only a matter of weeks, the campaign is expected to pick up some steam within days.
Here's the campaign ad from Mandel.

13/01/2024

South Texas Democrat Parties in Cameron and Hidalgo Counties are getting some big financial help in their firght to retain control of South Texas Politics.
Northern Cameron County Democrats Democrats of Southern Cameron County Hidalgo County Democratic Party South Texas Democrats

The group is “helping to build party infrastructure at the regional level, because the various regions of our state are distinct and therefore require different strategies,” a PAC official said.

13/01/2024

Political season is well underway with contested primary elections around South Texas. In what could be one of the more interesting contests of the year, Republican U.S. Congressman Michael Cloud is facing three challengers including perennial candidate Chris Mapp, military veteran Luis Espindola, and Corpus Christi business owner and former law enforcement officer Scott Mandel for Congress. Cloud is seeking a fourth term after signing a pledge to support term limits and said he would only serve three terms. His three opponents are already touring the district asking for votes and Mandel has up lots of signs and he and his supporters are taking to the streets of the district in a black Mandel van. More later.
Nueces County Republican Women Coastal Bend Republican Coalition Nueces County Republican Group Northwest Nueces County Republicans Republican Women of Yoakum Area San Patricio County Republican Party Aransas County Republican Party Aransas County Republican Club Bastrop County Republican Party Caldwell County Republican Party

02/09/2023

Texas cities and counties will never be able to enact COVID lockdowns, vaccine requirements, or mask mandates ever again. Places of worship are deemed "essential," hospitals have been banned from forbidding visitation, and schools and businesses may not be forcibly closed because of COVID.

I passed SB 29 to ban a repeat of 2020. Texans will not have to fear losing their freedom or their rights to go to church, see their loved ones, go to school, or make a living due to this virus again.

03/07/2023

Time and time again, State Rep. Todd Hunter, R-Corpus Christi, has come through for Corpus Christi in the Texas Legislature. As one of the longest serving lawmakers in the state, Rep. Hunter has continued to do what is best for the Coastal Bend and the state of Texas.

Republican Todd Hunter drew praise for skillfully managing controversial bills and for forming alliances among adversaries.

13/06/2023

LONGTIME PROSECUTOR TO RUN FOR NUECES COUNTY DISTRICT ATTORNEY

James Sales, a longtime prosecutor known for taking on gang violence in Nueces County and throughout the Coastal Bend, has announced as a candidate for the Republican nomination for Nueces County District Attorney.

The Corpus Christi native has over 30 years experience as a prosecutor and has won numerous high-profile cases involving organized crime, gangs, murder, human smuggling, sexual assault and drug possession. In addition to Nueces County, Sales has been a prosecutor throughout the Coastal Bend including Bee and San Patricio counties.

In addition to Sales, Nueces County prosecutor in the office of District Attorney Mark Gonzalez, Kristi Britt has also announce she will be seeking the Republican nomination for the District Attorney position.

Sales, a graduate of Ray High School, learned the values of hard work from his late father, Jim Sales who was a roofer and truck driver, his mother Mary Flores, a administrative secretary and his late stepfather Sgt. Ike Flores, who did two tours of Vietnam and was a Army recruiter in Corpus Christi.

His parents sacrificed to ensure their son received a good education. Sales graduated from Ray High School in 1984 and was a member of the varsity tennis team. Following graduation he attended Del Mar College and Corpus Christi State University (now Texas A&M – Corpus Christi) where he received a major in criminal justice. Sales graduated from the University of Houston Law School in 1991.

Sales is the father of two sons, ages 20 and six.

26/10/2022

Gov. Greg Abbott is back in Corpus Christi for a GOTV rally on Thursday, Oct. 27. Abbott has put a lot of time in Corpus Christi during this campaign with several campaign stops, edorsements for State Representative Candidate 34 Carolyn Vaughn, State Senate Candidate Adam Hinojosa in District 20 and Nueces County Judge candidate Connie Scott. He's also endorsed the re-election bid by State Rep. Todd Hunter in District 32. Abbott also use the city and the backdrop of the Texas State Aquarium to announce his re-election bid.

26/10/2022

With the elections approaching, the fundraisers keep on happening. Early voting is underway so get out and vote.

13/10/2022

https://www.kiiitv.com/article/news/politics/elections/connie-scott-challenges-barbara-canales-in-race-for-county-judge/503-19da1f2a-63ac-458d-8445-d044ba57d0cb?fbclid=IwAR2sjq3JgHscRHhrWtJCDbgRb8wjZyDVDQYUxquwRNw6IC1RcZgZ-DHkC8A

Incumbent judge Barbara Canales and challenger Connie Scott both say they can move the county forward.

12/10/2022

The countdown to early voting has started but in the meantime some candidates are joining with advocacy groups to help kids in Nueces County get a better understanding about the country's national motto.

State Representative Republican nominee in District 34 Vaughn has teamed up with Carrie Moore, chair of a group called Corpus Christi to provide and distribute the posters to schools across Nueces County including private and charter schools as well as churches and businesses.

Legislators led by , a Mineola Republican, passed a state law in 2021 that requires a public elementary or secondary school or an institution of higher education to display a poster or framed copy of the motto in a “conspicuous place” in each building. Posters have to be “purchased from private donations and made available to the school or institution.”

“Our nation was founded on trust in God,” Vaughn said. “I am proud to be a part of providing these posters that remind educators and school kids that there is a higher power watching over them every day. In a time when school safety and violence has been prominent in the news, that is a message that needs to be delivered.”

Moore, whose group is considered a watchdog for parental rights, agreed. “They will help remind future generations of Texans about the importance of our national motto and what it meant in the development of our country,” she said. “In God We Trust” in inscribed on almost all of our currency, in our National Anthem and has played a strong role in our fight for freedom since the late 1700s.”

If you would like your own copy of an ‘In God We Trust’ poster to display at your school, church or business located in District 34, email Carolyn Vaughn’s Campaign at [email protected] or message them on Facebook . For those who would like a poster in other parts of Nueces County email [email protected] .

10/06/2022

Later this month Republican nominee for District 34 State Legislator Carolyn Vaughn will hold a meet and greet fundraiser at the Chamberlain, 807 Upper N. Broadway, in Corpus Christi from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. You are invited to attend.

27/02/2022

NOTE: This is not an endorsement of any candidate, just information provided by POLITICAL PULSE that may give you better insight to some of them. Following is information about Johnny Partain for Congress, running for State Senate District 20.

Johnny Partain, a Democrat turned Libertarian turned Republican, from McAllen who has filed and been the subject of numerous lawsuits in Hidalgo County is drawing attention in some circles after a candidate survey in the iVoterGuide.com revealed some startling comments about his beliefs on abortion and Sharia law.

Partain is a candidate for State Senate in District 20 and faces longtime Republican Westley Wright for Texas Senate - District 20 of Bluntzer in Nueces County, who is a team roper and real estate broker.

The Partain comments which date back to his run for Congress as a Libertarian includes a statement that he does not believe human life begins at conception or that human life deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.

You can read his responses to the ivoterguide survey here: https://ivoterguide.com/candidate?elecK=296&raceK=444&primarypartyk=-&canK=4151&&path=/all-in-state/Texas/

The first comment on abortion was one word but Partain continued later in his answers when he said “Abortion is not an issue that affects social stability and is outside the domain of federal government function, being based on a person’s beliefs, ethics and morality … hence government should not take a side on Sharia law, marriage, social equity or abortion.”

In 2012 Partain ran as a Democrat in the Democratic Primary for Congress against then District 15 Congressman Ruben Hinojosa. He ran against Hinojosa and Republican nominee Eddie Zamora in 2014 as a Libertarian for the same Congressional spot. He skipped the 2016 cycle.

Now 10 years after first running for office, he’s trying to convince voters he is really a Republican. His website and his page are still connected to his failed runs for Congress, but now after trying the Democrat and Libertarian side, Partain is running as a Republican.

Without getting into the details of all of his legal woes, you can google Partain and see all of his issues.

Despite all that, Partain somehow wormed his way into the affections of some folks over at the Coastal Bend Republican Coalition, who endorsed him for office obviously without looking at his credentials. Although that group is most active on North Padre Island, it is a shame that some voters may be fooled just like those members of the coalition who decided to endorse him.

In the Republican primary, he is being challenged by longtime Republican Westley Wright of Bluntzer in Nueces County, who is a team roper, a real estate broker and nephew of Texas Railroad Commissioner Jim Wright.

Wright has the endorsement of Texas Alliance for Life.

Nueces County Republican Women Nueces County Republican Group Nueces County Republican Party Nueces County Republican Club Northwest Nueces County Republicans Coastal Bend Republican Coalition Coastal Bend Republican Women South Texas Politics Blog Jim Wells County Republican Party Hidalgo County GOP

09/02/2022

Port Aransas Mayor Charles Bujan has died.

Port Aransas Mayor Charles Bujan, who has been suffering from pancreatic cancer for several months, died this morning at his home, according to Port Aransas City Manager Dave Parsons. Bujan was 77. Mayor Pro Tem Joan Holt will take on the mayor’s duties until a new mayor is elected at the May 7 el...

31/01/2022

Monday, Jan. 31 is the last day to register to vote in the March 1 primary elections. If you are Republican or Democrat, it doesn't matter, just get out and register so your voice will count on election day. Across Facebook people are urging people to make the time on Monday to register. Here's one quick appeal from a first time voter who will get to cast her first vote on March 1 -- and she will get to vote for her dad.

13/01/2022

This from A.J. Louderback, former Jackson County Sheriff, and the only veteran running for Congress in District 27.

As a US Air Force Veteran, it is an honor to speak at the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Pavilion at Patriot Park in Victoria.

Please join us in honoring these HEROES and show them the appreciation that is well overdo this Saturday 🇺🇸

30/08/2021

Republican judicial candidate Bill Kelly asked us to post this fundraiser notice. Bill is a Corpus Christi attorney who served as a city councilman in Precinct 1 and as a member of the Calallen School Board. He currently serves on the Del Mar College Board of Trustees.

02/08/2021

Precinct 2 County Commission candidate Larry Elizondo will hold a fundraiser for his race on Aug. 5. He is running as a Democrat against the incumbent. He has previously served as a Corpus Christi City Council member and on the CCISD Board of Trustees.

25/06/2021

NewsLocal News Actions Facebook Tweet Email State lawmakers enact TWIA reforms Rep. Todd Hunter calls it a win for the Coastal Bend KRIS file photo By: José Luis Martínez Posted at 2:12 PM, Jun 22, 2021 and last updated 2021-06-22 15:12:41-04 CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The United Corpus Christi Cha...

06/05/2021

City Counclman Michael Hunter held a meet and greet fundraiser at Ara's Restaurant on Cinco de Mayo. Campaign season is already gaining ground as candidates begin the process of making decision on if and where to run for office.

01/11/2020

Yes, that's right .... there's more choices than you think when it comes to voting this election cycle. Despite the efforts of Democrat Chrysta Castaneda, who is running for railroad commission, to keep the Green Party off the Texas ballot in court ... they managed to stay on the Nov. 3 election ballot.

Now through 2026, GPTX encourages potential candidates to consider running as a Green, where they will not be shut out in the primary contest and will have a better chance of making it through to challenge in the general election.

30/10/2020

The Democrat running against Nueces County native Jim Wright, who owns environmental service companies in Robstown, and a ranch in Orange Grove, was accused of "criminal conduct" including witness tampering, witholding evidence and obstruction of justice in a case involving sexual assault. Here's a story from yesterday about Castaneda or you can google it on facebook (just add her name and Episcopal School of Dallas.).

The Texas Railroad Commission (RRC) is a three-member, elected panel with a limited purview: the regulation of fossil fuels. (It did actually also regulate railroads until 2005.)  But any public office, with any area of oversight, demands sound moral judgment of those holding it. And that’s

23/10/2020

October 23, 2020

BIDEN'S BID TO KILL OIL AND GAS PRODUCTION WILL COST THOUSANDS OF TEXAS JOBS, DEFUND PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND CANCEL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS

Governor Abbott and Senator Cornyn Release Joint Statement

AUSTIN – During last night’s Presidential debate, Former Vice President Joe Biden made clear his plans to destroy Texas’ economy, kill jobs, and defund education and transportation in Texas by transitioning America away from oil.
This plan would take billions of dollars away from Texas schools and universities and would eliminate nearly 430,000 jobs. Governor Greg Abbott and Senator John Cornyn released the following statement condemning the former Vice President’s radical plan.
“When Joe Biden says he would transition America away from oil, what he really means is that he would transition hundreds of thousands of Texans away from their paycheck and deny Texas students access to a quality education both in Texas public schools and in our state universities.
Biden’s call to outlaw oil is a gift to his far-left base and liberal donors that comes at the expense of the nearly 430,000 Texans who work in the oil and gas industry and the millions of Texas students who would suffer under this radical plan. The Biden plan would effectively defund Texas schools and universities by billions of dollars, hurting Texas students, parents, and teachers and setting our education system back for generations. It would devastate the state budget and derail critical transportation and infrastructure projects on which Texans depend. And by preventing access to our most affordable and abundant energy source, Joe Biden would plunge countless Texans into poverty. Biden’s plan is a direct attack on the people of Texas, and it is vital that Texans take a stand against this radical agenda by voting to re-elect President Trump and Republicans up and down the ballot.”

Texas Oil And Gas Facts

• If Texas were its own country, it would be the fourth largest oil producer in the world. (Source: Texas Oil and Gas Association)

• In FY2019, the Texas oil and gas industry directly supported 428,234 jobs. (Source: Texas Oil and Gas Association)

• In 2019, Texas oil and natural gas employers payed an average of $125,248 per job which is more than double other private sector jobs. (Source: Texas Oil and Gas Association)

• In 2019, Texas public schools received $2.65 billion in funding from the oil and gas industry. This included $1.11 billion to the Permanent School Fund and $1.54 billion in property taxes. (Source: Texas Oil and Gas Association)

• In 2019, the Permanent University Fund received $1.02 billion from the oil and gas industry. (Source: Texas Oil and Gas Association)

• If oil production were eliminated, education and transportation would lose $9.64 billion in funding per biennium from the severance tax and the motor fuels tax. (Source: Texas Comptroller’s Office)

• If oil production were eliminated, higher education in Texas would lose $1.6-$2 billion in funding per biennium. (Source: Texas Comptroller’s Office)