(Last cycle Garcia beat Gene Seaman because he was horrid candidate who made every mistake possible. This cycle, Garcia is in a must win race against Todd Hunter who is a horrid candidate who makes every mistake possible. - promoted by Matt Glazer)
A few weeks ago during a forum in Corpus Christi for House District 32 candidates, an attendee asked State Rep. Juan Garcia and lobbyist Todd Hunter if they would release their tax records. Rep. Garcia immediately said he would release his tax records as well as his wife’s records. Hunter responds by first dodging the question (see video) then stating that he would only give his tax records but not his wife’s if and only if Garcia released his military record (Rep. Garcia continues to serve as a Flight Instructor in the Navy Reserve and is scheduled to take command of a unit in October). Rep. Garcia fulfilled his promise and released his family’s tax records. The release notes both of their salaries (Denise Garcia is the General Counsel for Driscoll Children's Hospital). Records show an upper middle class income commensurate with two working professionals with four small children. While higher than the average area salary, it is relatively low for two Harvard Law graduates. The Garcias always said that they consciously chose to come back to the Coastal Bend to raise their young family. To date, the silence from Hunter is deafening. I think I know why Hunter won’t give up his or his wife's tax records or his wife’s. Todd Hunter has made millions of dollars lobbying for special interests. A large bulk of those millions were made from working for the insurance companies (see spreadsheet) keeping rates high. This is going to be a tough sell in the Coastal Bend, where homeowners pay the highest windstorm rates in the country. Even if for some miracle he releases his records, I am willing to bet that Hunter won’t release his wife’s records because that is where he is hiding his money. Just like Gene Seaman, I expect Hunter to use his wife to funnel and hide money. I am still quite appalled that Hunter would dare ask for Garcia’s military record when Hunter has never served. I don't know what type of attempt of swiftboating Hunter was thinking but it won't work against Garcia. In a humorous follow up at the debate, Garcia said he would be happy to release his military records and asked if Hunter would release his as well. Hunter snarled back, “you know I don’t have one” (i.e. a military record to release). Todd Hunter, it is time to release your and your wife’s tax records to see how you have profited off making it harder and more expensive to own a home in Texas. |
