Schieffer picks up endorsements from Valley legislators

WESLACO — Nine state legislators from the Rio Grande Valley endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Tom Schieffer on Tuesday, painting him as the best option for South Texas and someone who puts people ahead of politics.

The endorsements — from every Valley legislator except state Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville, and outgoing state Rep. Kino Flores, D-Palmview — solidified Schieffer’s foothold in South Texas and in the Hispanic community.

At a news conference in Weslaco to announce the support, state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, the chairman of the Senate’s Hispanic Caucus, said Schieffer would focus as governor on “bread-and-butter issues” like health care, education and economic development instead of divisive social issues.

State Rep. Armando “Mando” Martinez, D-Weslaco, said the former ambassador to Japan and Australia is an experienced leader who understands the needs of Texas and the Valley.

“He’s willing to put politics aside,” Martinez said. “We need to support someone who puts people first.”

Schieffer, who was also endorsed by five Democratic House leaders in August, attacked Republican Gov. Rick Perry on Tuesday for what he called a “race to the bottom instead of a race to the top.”

The state’s position at the bottom of the U.S. Census Bureau’s national rankings in key health care and education categories are a result of Perry’s leadership, Schieffer said. Unlike Perry, he won’t let politics affect decisions such as whether to accept $1 billion in federal funding to expand the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program.

“It’s political rhetoric over policy,” Schieffer said. “That’s what we’ve got to change.”

Schieffer, who entered the gubernatorial race early this year, has been questioned about his Democratic credentials, particularly in light of his support for former President George W. Bush, a friend and former business partner with the Texas Rangers baseball club.

However, Hinojosa said Schieffer is a proven Democrat who appeals to the majority of Texans, those who are neither too far to the left nor too far to the right.

“We’re somewhere in the middle,” the senator said. “(Schieffer) is in the same place.”

Schieffer’s opponents in the Democratic primary include humorist and entertainer Kinky Friedman, teacher Felix Alvarado, therapist Mark Thompson and East Texas rancher Hank Gilbert.

After the announcement of the endorsements, Gilbert’s office released a statement charging that the fanfare was an attempt to jumpstart a campaign that had stalled across the state because of Schieffer’s connection to the Bush legacy.

On the GOP side of the race, Perry has been duking it out with U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison.

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Jared Janes covers Hidalgo County government, Edinburg and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4424.