Will Kino’s Gamble Pay Off?
March 4th, 2008 at 7:02 pm
At Mission City hall today, Kino supporters shouted his name, while Sandra Rodriguez supporters waved signs. There is no love lost between the two parties. Earlier today, the precinct election judge Pat Navarro was replaced because it was said she was on Kino’s payroll. Action4 news which rolled into the parking lot as I was leaving reported the incident on their 6:00 news show. Reporter Victor Castillo said that elections administrator Teresa Navarro had confirmed the replacement.
Flores has had a controversial tenure as of late, in part because of his support for Republican Speaker Tom Craddick.
Sandra’s sister, Norma Morales was resting under a canopy next to a giant Sandra Rodriguez campaign sign in the parking lot. “This is about the children and about bringing educational opportunities to the district,” she said. “The race was very tough at first, but we believe we can win. Kino has been in office for 11 years — it’s time for him to pass the torch on because this is a democracy.”
Mission activist Ester Salinas had more pointed words for Kino. “Sandra has what it takes to clean the house,” she said. “Texas Monthly voted him one of the worst legislators of the year. Instead of passing gold rings out, he should be representing the people.”
While the Kino camp was vocal — shouting his name loudly any time a car passed, they said they had been told not to speak to the media. Mission resident Dora Day said she would speak to me anyway. “Kino cares about children and he is Number 1,” she said.
We’ll see tonight whether voters agree.
