The Texas Senatorial Race:Noriega Has to Learn “Texas First”

You would think that a Hispanic Democratic candidate for the Senate in Texas with a military record would be a cinch to gain wide Hispanic support in Texas right? The bizarre situation of Rick Noriega shows the disconnect that is present between the National Democratic Party and local Hispanic democrats and other lessons.  The southern most region of Texas called the Rio Grande Valley has the highest percentage of Hispanics at 90% of any region in the United States yet early in this year, many Hispanic mayors and state officials endorsed incumbent Republican Senator John Cornyn instead of Rick Noriega even after Senator Cornyn voted for the issue that unites many conservative and liberal Texas in opposition, the border fence.  How is this possible?

The Rio Grande Valley has traditionally been a place that can deliver large numbers of votes for a candidate or hold them from a candidate.  President Lyndon B. Johnson, learned the value of getting Valley Hispanic support in the 1940s when he advocated for a Mexican American soldier who was refused burial at Arlington national cemetery and gave a speech in Congress that Hispanics received more medals than any other group. The support of Mexican Americans helped assure his Senatorial election in a tough fight that was going on between old style conservative Democrats and New Deal Democrats in Texas.

On the national scene, even though the Valley has the highest concentration of Hispanics in the nation, its population of only 1 million and three representatives to the House of Representatives does not match up in national leadership to California or New York delegations.  The first Mexican American Congressman from the Rio Grande Valley, Eligio (Kika)  de la Garza who ultimately became the powerful chairman of the Agricultural Committee has never been matched in influence by subsequent politicians. Local Valley state and local elected officials have learned that good old fashioned “horse-trading” with statewide elected officials even if they are Republican can help secure necessary federal help.  Because the Rio Grande Valley is on the border with Mexico, federal funding of border infrastructure and trade play a key role in the local economy.

Rick Noriega’s first problem was that he was too closely aligned with all of Obama’s policies. He was virtually totally alone among Hispanic Democratic candidates for state or federal office in not supporting the state’s oil industry which still brings in millions of dollars into the local economy. Although he is a military officer and talks with a Texas drawl he seemed to forget a cardinal virtue that is necessary for election in Texas to any office”"Show allegiance to Texas first before Party or Nation”. Texas voters whether liberal or conservative, Democrat or Republican, Hispanic,Black, or Anglo want a “Texan” to represent them.Whether you liked or hated George Bush or Anne Richards they were both Texans.

Many Hispanics feel that he took for granted that he would get Hispanic support from the Valley by virtue of his heritage alone. Although his roots are from Mexican immigrants in the El Paso area, he was raised and established in the Houston area. In his defense, his campaign was a last minute thought in that he was the unexpected pluralistic winner of primary run-off that many saw as token opposition.  Even with the apparent disarray of his campaign staff (they have changed over the year) he really did not seem to make the Valley a priority compared to the other parts of the state.

Unfortunately when you listen to his speeches and the recent debate he seems to be general in vision rather than specific. Earlier this summer in discussions with  his previous campaign manager we were going to interview him but his schedule became difficult because he was deployed with the National Guard where he holds the rank of Colonel. One factor that likely affected his campaign negatively is that he does bare a heavy responsibility as a commander of a National Guard unit.  This no doubt made it difficult for him to get organized during the crucial summer months.

Another thing that may oddly be contributing to his lack of popularity with state elected officials  is that he is aligned with the small group of Democrats who are strict fiscal conservatives in opposing the Wall Street bailout. Although he has called for greater funding of poor children’s health care and proposed alternative legislation for homeowners, many local governments may prefer a candidate who is more likely to fill an outstretched hand with federal goodies than to question them.

Incumbent Senator John Cornyn understands another rule of Texas politics that “you have show up and be in seen the Valley”. Numerous times over the past two years he has shown up for photo-ops and discussions with Veterans groups, hurricane victims, and health care concerns. He has personally sponsored legislation to help pay for repairs to the levees on the Rio Grande River that were long overdue as well as leading the fight for better Veteran’s benefits in the Valley.   Many small town mayors know him on a first name basis and can get him on the phone for issues.

Another major concern of local elected officials who are literally 99% Democratic in the Rio Grande Valley is that they will be ignored because the national priority of the Federal government will be rebuilding the “Rust Belt”.  Since Texas has basically no chance of voting for Barack Obama this November its a very symbiotic relationship for Cornyn to deliver real value to the Rio Grande Valley in return for their support.  Although Barack Obama has backed off his harshness about the North American Free Trade Agreement, many in the business community ( which is mostly Hispanic) as well as local government feel that gaining some Republican favor is extra insurance to protect trade.They are afraid that Noriega will tow the Obama party line and not act as a Texan.

Another factor that definitely played a role in the state was the protracted fight between Obama and Clinton in the primaries.  Clinton was the hands down favorite among Valley voters and many became angry when it was later learned that Obama delegates were approved to the Democratic convention through a  caucus mechanism which is now been discarded.  Smart elected Congressional and state office holders have avoided becoming too involved in the national Presidential campaign because Hispanic feelings in Texas definitely lean heavily towards the idea that Hillary Clinton should have been the nominee. A second insult occurred when Hillary Clinton was not chosen as the Vice Presidential candidate.  Although the Clintons and her surrogates have come to the Valley to support Noriega it was late.  For many it just reminds them of the unpleasant and unfair Democratic primaries.

If Noriega wants to win a Senate seat for the State of Texas he has to remember the age old rule of Texas politics “Texas Comes First”. He will need to come up with specific ideas that apply directly to Texas with realistic solutions because he is competing with an incumbent who knows how to play the game.

Tony Magaña grew up in McAllen Texas, attended Texas A&M University, holds a doctorate from Harvard University. The co-founder of Contempo Magazine has participated in Valley business for over 20 years. He is a member of the National Association of Hispanic Journalists.

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This entry was posted on 13. October 2008 at 02:09 and is filed under politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.

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