(Another perspective on the TX-35 primary. We encourage supporters of all candidates to post diaries and engage with our readers. - promoted by Katherine Haenschen)
The Lloyd Doggett / Joaquin Castro primary battle (for a district that does not yet even actually exist!) is understandably contentious. The political establishment in Travis County wants to protect its flagship member in Congress. Young upstarts in San Antonio (and plenty in Travis, too) see the future in an impressive State House member. Two good elected officials, two distinct core constituencies -- but only one district. Things are bound to get ugly. And the truth is, there are probably compelling reasons to be for or against each candidate. I certainly have friends on both sides of this race. Doggett and Castro each have reliably progressive voting records. Each would do their best to represent the interests of the constituents they are running to serve. But the recent attack on Joaquin Castro by the Doggett camp – that he has not sufficiently opposed Republican redistricting efforts – just isn’t true. And folks, I’ve got the proof, right here:  I took this picture sometime in the last 10 days of May, 2003. At the time, I was using my vacation days as a member of Congressman Chet Edwards’ staff to help organize and execute the historic Democratic quorum-bust to Ardmore, Oklahoma. On a Sunday night, 47 Democratic House members met in a hotel parking lot in north Austin and got on busses bound for the Oklahoma border, in order to deny the House a quorum, and prevent passage of Tom DeLay’s illegal redistricting map. (One Member crossed the border to Mexico, two drove to Ardmore on their own, and two flew in. In all 52 House Democrats stood up for voting rights that year). If you’ll look closely at the picture above, you’ll notice a skinny young freshman member four spots to the left of the podium from first row. That’s Joaquin Castro. When he got on the bus to Ardmore, Joaquin was risking his political future so African Americans and Latinos across Texas -- not to mention Travis County Democrats -- could maintain the ability elect Members of Congress who would represent their communities. I’ve worked with or for the Democratic leadership in the Texas House in some capacity or another during every legislative session since the 2003 redistricting nightmare. I’ve worked on dozens of legislative campaigns and have been involved in legislative strategy and floor tactics for 5 consecutive House sessions. Since he first got on that bus to Ardmore, Joaquin Castro has been an unyielding soldier – no, a leader – in Democratic efforts to stand up to Republican politicians and policies that would damage the state we all love. Joaquin didn’t quit after Ardmore. He kept up the fight against Tom Craddick and was a part of the team that brought the corrupt Republican speaker down. While some Democrats were trading votes for harmful budgets and Speaker endorsements in exchange for favored committee assignments, Joaquin Castro stuck to his guns. And he’s managed to do it while maintaining his ability to effectively pass legislation and influence policy. Doggett supporters have repeated claims by a Republican operative that Joaquin Castro somehow colluded with House Republicans when this district was drawn. And some have claimed that because some of his donors have also supported Republicans, that Joaquin's Democratic principles are doubtable. But since when do Democrats put more stock in the words of a self-serving Republican who drew himself a district on the taxpayers’ dime than we do on a respected official’s proven record? I’ll trust my own two eyes and experiences over a Republican without much credibility. -- Jeff Rotkoff |
