Next year’s Senate races could be quiet in most of the Valley

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AUSTIN — The Rio Grande Valley could hand two of its three state senators four more years in power without an election challenge.

So far, no one has declared against Sen. Eddie Lucio Jr., D-Brownsville, or Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, D-McAllen, each of whom has 20 years in the Legislature.

Laredo Democrat Judith Zaffirini, whose Senate district includes Starr County, has drawn two possible challengers — both with deep pockets. Louis H. Bruni is an independently wealthy Laredo businessman, and Rene Barrientos is a civil litigation attorney with offices in San Antonio and Laredo.

Would-be candidates have until Jan. 2 to formally throw their hats in the ring. But by this time of the year before a primary, challengers are often making announcements, raising money or at least spreading loud whispers.

Jim Solis, the former state representative from San Benito, has said for more than a year he would consider running for Lucio’s seat. Solis said he plans to decide by November.

Lucio plans to formally announce his candidacy for another four-year term in October. His district includes the southernmost tip of Texas, stretching from McAllen east to Brownsville, then north to include a small section of Corpus Christi.

Hinojosa, whose district stretches from Hidalgo County to the more politically conservative Corpus Christi, formally announced his re-election campaign earlier this month.

A costly run

Each of the 31 state senators has a constituency of about 675,000 — roughly the population of Fort Worth or Memphis. They make policy, help voters deal with government agencies and work with Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, leader of the Senate, to pass bills. They also work closely with their counterparts in the House, whose support they need if their bills are to pass the Legislature and head to the governor for approval.

Getting to a senate office doesn’t come cheap.

Hinojosa spent about $1.2 million in 2002, incurring a campaign debt he didn’t repay until earlier this year.

Now he’s about $100,000 in the black and could raise as much as $2 million if a challenger arises, he said.

Barrientos, the attorney considering running against Zaffirini in the March primary, is budgeting roughly $2 million for the race, said Colin Strother, a Democratic consultant who’s working with Barrientos. About half the money would come from Barrientos himself, Strother said.

Hinojosa, Lucio and Zaffirini are each considered hard to beat, said Kelly Fero, a Democratic consultant who works with Hinojosa. Someone with enough money might be able to wait until the Jan. 2 filing deadline to announce a race for the March 4 primary, but other challengers would have to announce soon, he said.

“If you need to raise the resources, it’s getting pretty late,” Fero said.

Laredo showdown

A possible three-way race for control of Zaffirini’s Senate district could cost millions of dollars.

Bruni, whose family made its money in oil and gas beginning in the 19th century when they came to Laredo from Italy, already is running television commercials in Laredo and the western Valley criticizing Zaffirini. He plans to finance his campaign without accepting any contributions.

If elected, the former Webb County judge and owner of Bruni Energy said he would work on prison reform, fight for government-funded health care and press the Texas Department of Transportation to improve roads in Laredo, he said.

“The problem with Sen. Zaffirini is she’s for sale to the highest bidder,” he said. “She’s a politician and I’m a public servant.”

Zaffirini said her record shows she votes in the best interest of her district. She cited her work on education and health care as among her biggest successes.

“I have never ever accepted a single contribution with any string attached,” she said.

Bruni said he’s sure he will challenge Zaffirini but is weighing whether to run against her as a Democrat in the March primary, or run as a Republican in the November general election. His decision depends on whether Barrientos runs in March, he said.

Barrientos said he has not made that decision.

A lifelong Democrat and former Dallas police officer, he also has a cattle ranch in Cotulla, he said. However, he would not elaborate on why he is considering a run at Zaffirini.

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Elizabeth Pierson Hernandez covers the state capital for Valley Freedom Newspapers. She is based in Austin and can be reached at (512) 323-0622.