caller-times 2012 election guide

VOTENOV. 6

CORPUS CHRISTI CALLER-TIMES OCTOBER 21, 2012

ELECTION GUIDE 2012

FEDERAL · President and Vice President · Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan (R) · Barack Obama and Joe Biden (D) · Gary Johnson and Jim Gray (L) · Jill Stein and Cheri Honkala (G) · U.S. Senator · Ted Cruz (R) · Paul Sadler (D) · John Jay Myers (L) · David B. Collins (G) · U.S. Representative, District 27 · Blake Farenthold (R) · Rose Meza Harrison (D) · Corrie Byrd (L) · Bret Baldwin (I) · STATE AND JUDICIAL · Railroad Commissioner · Christi Craddick (R) · Dale Henry (D) · Chris Kennedy (G) · Vivekananda (Vik) Wall (L) Railroad Commissioner, Unexpired Term · Barry Smitherman (R) · Jaime O. Perez (L) · Josh Wendel (G) · Justice, Supreme Court, Place 2 · Don Willett (R) · RS Roberto Koelsch (L) · Justice, Supreme Court, Place 4 · John Devine (R) · Tom Oxford (L) · Charles E. Waterbury (G) · Justice, Supreme Court, Place 6 · Nathan L. Hecht (R) · Michele Petty (D) · Mark Ash (L) · Jim Chisolm (G) · Presiding Judge, Court of CriminalAppeals · Sharon Keller (R) · Keith Hampton (D) · Lance Stott (L) · Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 7 · Barbara Parker Hervey (R) · Mark W. Bennett (L) · Judge, Court of Criminal Appeals, Place 8 · Elsa Alcala (R) · William Bryan Strange, III (L) · Member, State Board of Education, District 2 · Laurie J. Turner (R) · Ruben Cortez Jr. (D) · Lenard Nelson (L) · State Senator, District 18 · Glenn Hegar (R) · State Senator, District 20 · Raul Torres (R)Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D) · State Representative, District 32 · Todd Hunter (R) · State Representative, District 34 · Connie Scott (R) · Abel Herrero (D) · Chief Justice, 13th Court of Appeals District · Roy Valdez (D) · Justice, 13th Court of Appeals District, Place 2 · Tom Greenwell (R) · Nora Longoria (D) · Justice, 13th Court of Appeals District, Place 4 · Bradford M. Condit (R) · Nelda Vidaurri Rodriguez (D) · Justice, 13th Court of Appeals District, Place 5 · Doug Norman (R) · Gina M. Benavides (D) · NuecesCounty · District Judge, 28th Judicial District · Doug Mann (R) · Nanette Hasette (D) · District Judge, 214th Judicial District · Jack W. Pulcher (R) · José Longoria (D) · District Judge, 347th Judicial District · Missy Medary (R) · René C. Flores (D) · District Attorney, 105th Judicial District · James Sales (R) · Mark Skurka (D) · Judge, County Court-at-Law No. 3, Unexpired Term · David Stith (R) · Deeanne Galvan (D) · County Attorney · Laura Garza Jiménez (D) · Sheriff · Jim Kaelin (R) · Isaac Valencia (D) · Tax Assessor-Collector · Kevin Kieschnick (R) · Alex Garcia Jr. (D) · County Commissioner, Precinct 1 · Mike Pusley (R) · David Torres (D) · County Commissioner, Precinct 3 · Richard H. Mitchell (R) · Oscar O. Ortiz (D) · Justice of the Peace, Precinct 1, Place 1 · Amanda Torres (R) · Joe Benavides (D) · Justice of the Peace, Precinct 2, Place 1 · Janice Stoner (R) · Joel Stanley Mumphord (D) · Justice of the Peace, Precinct 5, Place 1 · Robert “Bobby” Gonzalez (D) · Constable, Precinct 1 · David Garcia (R) · Robert “Bobby” Cisneros (D) · Constable, Precinct 2 · Jerry C. Boucher (R) · Constable, Precinct 3 · Jack E. Caughman (R) · Jimmy Rivera (D) · Constable, Precinct 4 · Robert W. Sherwood (R) · Constable, Precinct 5 · Frank Flores, III (D) · CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI · Mayor · Nelda Martinez · Chris N. Adler · Josey Wales · Ray

Madrigal · City Council, At-Large (three positions) · John A. Sendejar · Lillian Riojas Alicia G. Benavides · David Loeb · John Garcia · Mark Scott · City Council, District 1 · Kelley Allen · City Council, District 2 · Chad Magill · Brian Rosas · City Council, District 3 · Priscilla Leal · Jesse Noyola · City Council, District 4 · Colleen McIntyre · Jano Andrasik Webster Pell · City Council, District 5 · Rudy Garza Jr. · John Valls · PropositionNo. 1 · $55 million for streets · For · Against · Proposition No. 2 · $1.75 million for City Hall improvements · For · Against · Proposition No. 3 · $4.75 million for City Service Center improvements · For · Against · Proposition No. 4 · $16 million for parks and recreation · For · Against · Proposition No. 5 · $2.34 million for museum and library improvements · For · Against · Proposition No. 6 · $820,000 for public health improvements · For · Against · Proposition No. 7 · $700,000 for public safety improvements · For · Against · Proposition

No. 8 · $8.4 million for economic development projects · For · Against · DEL MAR COLLEGE · Regent, At Large Ramiro “Gambi” Gamboa · Larry White Sandra Longoria Messbarger · Herbert Schueneman · Regent, District 1 · Gabe Rivas · Abel E. Pérez Sr. · Regent, District 3 · Elva Estrada · BANQUETE ISD · Trustee, At Large (four positions) Lilly Nash · Tracy N. Wright · Missy Chambless · Nanie Chapa · Jose “Angel” Arce · Ofelia T. Pena · Aaron Ramon CORPUS CHRISTI IS D · Trustee, At- Large (three positions) · Guillermo “Willie” Perez · Jane D. Bell · Tony C. Diaz · Patty Harris · Bill Clark · Marcus Sorenson · John Marez · Drusilla Knight-Villarreal · Hector “Coach” Salinas · Joe Cavazos Jr. · Trustee, District 2 · Lucy Rubio · FLOUR BLUFF ISD · Trustee, Place 1 · Steve Ellis · Trustee, Place 3 · Dan Suckley · Trustee, Place 6 · Richard Pittman · William (Bill) Prather Trustee, Place 7 · Wade Chapman LONDON ISD · Trustee, At Large · Gayle Neessen · Carter Green · Trent Hoffman · Javier Huerta · ROBSTOWN ISD · Trustee, Place 1 · Rene Vela Jr. ·

Jesse Rojas III · Oscar M. Lopez · Diana Castro Rubio · Trustee, Place 2 · Ronnie Salinas Pablo Avila · Eva Elizondo Orona · Trustee, Place 3 · Richard Gonzalez · Jessica Lynn Esquivel · Victor C. Hernandez · Trustee, Place 4 · Marcos Alaniz · Heath Garcia · Smiley (May) Gonzalez · Proposition No. 1 · $12.5 million for building improvements · For · Against · TULOSO-MIDWAY ISD · School Trustee, Place 1 · Kimberly Johnson · Zulema Samaniego · School Trustee, Place 3 · Paul Mostella · School Trustee, Place 4 · Felix Landin Jr. · WEST OSO ISD · Trustee, At-Large (four positions) · Liz Gutierrez · Martha Ruiz · Velma Rodriguez · Cella Boyd Shirley Jordon · Trustee, At-Large, UnexpiredTerm · Lucas C. Jasso · SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY BOND ELECTION · Proposition No. 1 · $1.9 million for relocation of water line · For · Against · Proposition No. 2 · $2.925 million for Kingsville pump station improvements · For · Against · Proposition No. 3 · $375,000 for Bishop pump station improvements · For · Against · NUECES COUNTY DRAINAGE DISTRICT NO. 2 · Commissioners (three positions) · Ernest Gallegos · Pete Maldonado · Daniel Trevino Mario Gracia · Sam Santos · Rosie Ruiz · Carlos Pena · Jesse Rojas · Celestino “Pingo” Ramos · Donald Havelka

INSIDE

Voting early? Find out when and where bal-lots can be cast before Election Day. Page 21

Nueces County has 127 polling places onNov. 6. Locate your voting booth. Page 24

Check out the candidates throughout the Coastal Bend.Page 42

Voters face a big task in the booth, and it’s not just a choice about who will lead the country for the next four years. Page 3

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Monday1. Christus Spohn Hospital Shoreline 600 Elizabeth St.9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

2. YWCA4601 Corona Drive9 a.m. -5 p.m.

3. Lindale Senior Center3135 Swantner Drive9 a.m. - 2 p m

11. Trinity Towers101 N. Upper Broadway St. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.* Banquete Senior Citizens Center4359 4th St.8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Thursday12. Corpus Christi MedicalC

Agua Dulce8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Saturday18. Nueces County Community Center415 Mainer RoadRobstown9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

1521 S. Staples8 a.m. - 5 p.m.25. Tower II offi555 N. Carancah8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

26. Zavala Senio510 Osage St.9

A. Nueces County Courthouse 901 Leopard St. B. Corpus Christi Area Council for the Deaf5151 McArdle Road

C. Ethel Eyerly Senior Center654 Graham RoadD. Greenwood Senior Citizens Center4040 Greenwood DriveE. Hilltop Community Center

11425 Leopard St. * Johnny S. Calderon County Building710 E. Main St.

* Nueces County Bishop Community Center102 W. Joyce St. F. Padre Isles Country Club Laguna Room14353 Commodores Drive* Port Aransas Civic Center ComplexCouncil chambers710 W. Ave. A

* Banquete ISD adminis-tration building4339 Fourth St.G Corp

NUECES COUNTY EARLY VOTING LOCATIONSHoursOct. 22-26 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.Oct. 27 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.Oct. 28 Noon - 5 p.m.Oct. 29-Nov. 2 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

MOBILE EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS

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DECISIONS

2 » Sunday, October 21, 2012 » C A L L E R - T I M E S

When we were preparing for the start of our general elec-tion coverage that started Sept. 16, what was most obvious was that this election is a lot for readers to digest. Just the fact we had to start on Sept. 16 to cover just a fraction of the important races out there was indicative what faces Coastal Bend residents, starting with early voting Monday.

That realization was the birth of this 44-page election section in your hands. The Caller-Times produced elec-tion sections long ago but has not done them in recent years. But this year even we were having trouble digest-ing all this. And we know not everyone is going to be able to read everything every day and retain it when they get to the ballot box.

What we tried to pro-

vide you in this section is a straightforward, quick-glance view of as many races as we could. There are no endorse-ments in this section. Wereserved that for our edito-rial pages where they belong. If you care what we think, we will wrap them up in Mon-day’s edition, and if you want more detail, previously run endorsements are available on Caller.com.

We challenged candidates to get across their message in 50 words or fewer without giv-

ing them a specifi c topic. We have found insight into how well candidates communicate in a small amount of space and hope you fi nd that, too.

We hope the comprehensive ballot on the center spread of this section will allow you to mark for whom you would like to vote so you can take it to the polls with you and help you more quickly get through the ballot. We also have included polling locations in Corpus Christi.

There are some advertise-ments in the section but by no means are they an endorse-ment by the Caller-Times. Those candidates paid for those ads as part of their cam-paign message, and those of us who worked on the section didn’t know who would adver-tise.

This section, led by City Edi-

tor Bro Krift and Data/Inves-tigative Editor Denise Malan, has been months in the plan-ning, since the primary elec-tions and runoff s ended. Also playing a major factor in our coverage here are our Central copy/design desk, led by News Editor Jacque Petersell and de-signer Gary Smith. Every one of our news reporters also has contributed to the reporting for this section.

And all of this also is avail-able on Caller.com, on our tablet app and available on our mobile site.

We hope we’ve provided youwith a broad overview of oneof the area’s most important elections ever.

Most of all, we hope you all get out and vote. It matters.

Shane Fitzgerald is vice president and editor of the Caller-Times.

Section off ers glance at issues, candidates

SHANEFITZGERALD

EDITOR

INSIDE THIS SECTIONCOVER STORY 3

MAYOR 4-5

CITY COUNCIL 6-10

CITY PROPOSITIONS 11

U.S. SENATE 12-14

U.S. HOUSE 16-17

SENATE DISTRICT 20 19

HOUSE DISTRICT 32 20

EARLY VOTING 21

SAMPLE BALLOT 22

POLLING LOCATIONS 24


TAX ASSESSOR 27


COMMISSIONER PCT. 1 29

COMMISSIONER PCT. 3 30

DISTRICT ATTORNEY 31

SHERIFF 31

COURT OF APPEALS 33

DISTRICT COURTS 34

COURT-AT-LAW NO. 3 36

EDUCATION BOARD 36

SCHOOL BONDS 37

CCISD BOARD 38-40

DEL MAR REGENTS 41

AREA BALLOTS 42-43

CAMPAIGNCONTRIBUTIONSGo to Caller.com/data to searchfor campaign contributionsto candidates for:

■ Corpus Christi City Council ■ Nueces County commissioners, sheriff, district attorney and tax assessor

■ State House and Senate ■ Congress ■ President

CHECK OUT CALLER.COM/ELECTION ■ Before heading to the polls, check out sample ballots from around the Coastal Bend.

■ Get voting locations for the Coastal Bend.

■ Find biographical information on candidates running for state offi ce.

■ Ask questions or get our projections with our live chat that starts at 7 p.m. Nov. 6.

■ Get updated results on all the Coastal Bend races throughout the night at Caller.com/election.

■ Check out the latest political news from the Caller.com political team on Facebook at Caller Politics or Twitter at CallerPolitics.

■ Read the Political Pulse blog for Coastal Bend political news from Caller-Times reporters.

A voter casts her ballot dur-ing the primary’s early voting at the Nueces County Court-house .RACHEL DENNY CLOW/CALLER-TIMES FILE

ELECTION

2012

C A L L E R - T I M E S « Sunday, October 21, 2012 « 3

■ Combined ballot to be a first for some cities By Mark [email protected] 361-886-3678

It’s hard enough to get vot-ers to the polls for any election, but this year brings a double-whammy as Coastal Bend residents will see some of the longest ballots they’ve ever had, raising the likelihood of another bane of the democratic process: voter fatigue.

A voter in Corpus Christi could have 37 choices on up to 13 electronic pages.

So the election — combining for the first time in many cities the municipal, county, school, state and federal ballots into one — already has a built-in deterrent for busy folks who might be tempted to mark an ‘X’ for Mitt Romney or Barack Obama and then break for the door.

Yet the stakes could not be higher all the way down the ballot.

The future — of national health care, local roads, school buildings, education funding, city parks, and the people who will make decisions about all of this and more — gets decided in the next 16 days.

Bob Bezdek, a political sci-entist who for years has col-lected reams of data on Coastal Bend elections and a former Texas A&M University-Cor-pus Christi professor, said even he sympathizes with the overwhelmed voter.

“What do I even know?” he confessed. “I don’t know who to vote for in those Supreme Court places or Court of Crim-inal Appeals places.”

One of the great dangers, Bezdek said, is that the long ballot will tempt hurried voters into marking straight Demo-cratic or Republican tickets

and then submitting the ballot, not realizing this means they won’t cast a vote in the nonpar-tisan city and school elections.

In Corpus Christi, those vot-ers will miss out on deciding the mayoral race and $90 mil-lion in bond elections for city facilities, the bulk of which, $55 million, would rebuild heavily traveled roads in the oldest ar-eas of town.

In Gregory-Portland and Robstown school districts, straight-ticket voters would miss a chance to decide on funds for school construction.

Nueces County poll work-ers will have sample ballots for people waiting in line, giv-ing them a chance to review all of the choices during what could be a much longer wait than usual.

“We’re really pushing early voting,” said Rochelle Limón,

county election manager.Sample ballots tailored to

each voting precinct are avail-able for download on the coun-ty’s website so voters can see exactly what their ballot will look like ahead of time.

Corpus Christi voters have seven contested city council races plus the mayor to choose. In any given council district, a voter could choose the council member for that district, plus three at-large council members and the mayor.

This comes at a pivotal juncture for the city as it em-barks on what will likely be a 22-year, nearly $1 billion pro-gram to restore streets ne-glected for decades, and as the city formulates new policies to perform regular maintenance and prevent streets and build-ings from ever getting that bad again.

“It keeps me awake at night because I don’t know how to fix it yet and it is so big,” City Manager Ron Olson said. “It’s like if this were the federal government, we’d be looking at $16 trillion in debt.”

Yet, for many local voters, the presidential election will remain the largest draw, even though Texas has been left behind on the campaign trail. Four years ago, Obama, Hillary Rodham Clinton, Bill Clinton and Ted Kennedy each made stops in the Coastal Bend in a hotly contested Democratic primary. This year, the candi-dates have concentrated on a handful of swing states.

To some extent, it will be a referendum on national health care.

“That will probably be the largest policy implication of the electors’ choice,” said Jo-

seph Jozwiak, professor of po-litical science at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.

While voters could get overwhelmed this year, thereare arguments in favor of the combined federal, state and local elections. It can save cash-strapped governments — especially small towns — a big expense on staff time, equipment and supplies. And pairing small local races with abig presidential election could entice voters who might not otherwise show up just for a school board or city council race.

“I hope they vote on the city races,” Bezdek said. “I hope they vote on everything. We keep piling different electionsonto the general election. As a political analyst we don’t know what the impact of that is. At some point, we’ve just got toomuch on the ballot.”

The predicament is a ves-tige of post-Reconstruction changes in the structure of Texas government, Bezdek said. While the nation votes for a commander-in-chief who then selects a cabinet and periodically appoints judges, Texans vote on mul-tiple “cabinet” positions — comptroller, railroad commissioners, agriculture commissioner, attorney gen-eral — plus the judiciary and more. Though not all are on this November’s ballot, it is still one of the longest ballots in Nueces County history, if not the longest, Bezdek said.

“A lot of people are going to say, ‘Wow, I voted on enough races. This is it. I’m outta here,’” he said. “Because I sus-pect we’re going to have long lines.”

Voters to have say on many key issuesOverview

RACHEL DENNY CLOW/CALLER-TIMES FILE

Voters cast their ballots during early voting at the Nueces County Courthouse earlier this year. The ballot will be long on Election Day for voters in Corpus Christi, where as many as 37 choices, up to 13 electronic pages, will be made.

We’re really pushing

early voting.”Rochelle Limón,

county election manager


By Jessica [email protected] 361-886-4316

Building relationships and sup-port among fellow board members as a longtime educator are what Chris Adler does best to get the input needed so she can make the right decision, she said.

“I like to include a diverse group be-cause you get buy-in if they are part of the solution,” she said.

It’s that kind of leadership Adler can bring to be Corpus Christi’s next mayor. She will move Corpus Christi forward, she said. There still are many more tough questions that need to be asked and work to be done, including street maintenance, building mainte-

nance and making sure fair contracts are in place.

One of the things she’s not con-vinced of is the $967 million price tag city staff said is needed for needed street maintenance.

That figure has been revised from $1.2 billion — an early estimate given for the repairs.

Adler believes it’s less and says she will work to make sure those numbers are accurate as the city moves forward with a street maintenance plan.

Adler, 72, has extensive business ex-perience as vice president of her fam-ily’s scrap metal company, Atlas Iron and Metal. She knows how to balance a budget and make tough decisions to meet the bottom line, she said.

She currently is serving her second

term on the council in a District 4 seat, which represents neighborhoods along Ocean Drive, Padre Island and Flour Bluff. During her time on the council, she said she is most proud of her work to help bring Schlitterbahn to Padre Island and will continue to support a project to build a bridge along Park Road 22.

A $72.5 million plan to redevelop public land on the bayfront led by a group called Destination Bayfront needs private money behind it — at least half privately funded — before Adler is willing to pledge any public money, she said.

“It’s both a need and a want,” she said. “I think they’re going to have to prove to themselves the need to raise more private funds for it.”

Adler working to create teamwork to lead to future


A city that remembers what it has and needs to restore a bustling downtown area is the direction Ray Madrigal would take Corpus Christi as its mayor.

Madrigal, a longtime activist and retired photographer, believes city government should promote from within to build local talent that’s vested in the community.

Incentives should be earmarked to grow local businesses ahead of projects pitched by out-of-town busi-nesses, namely Schlitterbahn owners with plans to build a water park on Padre Island.

Madrigal, 70, remembers the city’s heyday when downtown and North Beach were so busy it was difficult to find a parking spot.

He wants to restore those areas of the city to their peak years, he said.

Instead of promising $117 mil-lion in mostly hotel occupancy tax revenue to business own-ers, Madrigal would have given $1 million each to 117 local businesses to improve the downtown area.

“Downtown should be the focus because it’s the heart of the city,” he said.

He disagrees with a recent City Council decision to scale back the de-sign for a two-block Chaparral Street improvement project that lured in-vestors to purchase downtown build-

ings with plans of their own. The full design for the 2008 vot-

er-approved project, including a $1.8 million upscale lighting system, should have been realized, Madrigal said.

City streets need to be repaired, but the funding solution should be more equitable, Madrigal said.

He thinks the city should limit heavy truck traffic to highways and certain arterial streets.

Residents and businesses should be charged, via a registration fee, based on number of cars they have.

Also, the Regional Transportation Authority needs to spend more on street repairs because the buses are “somewhat responsible for the dam-age to our streets,” he said.

Madrigal wants businesses to help revive downtown

Corpus Christi mayor

CHRIS ADLER

AGE: 72

OCCUPATION: Vice president of Atlas Iron and Metal

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: City councilwoman District 4, 2009-present; former Del Mar College regent; former Corpus Christi Independent School District trustee

I have a record of proven leadership. My experience

includes CCISD for eight years, Del Mar College Board of Regents for 11 years and City Council for two terms. I bring diverse members of the community together to better our community. I can make tough decisions. I have nothing to gain.”

REYNALDO ‘RAY’ MADRIGAL

AGE: 70

OCCUPATION: Retired photographer

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Corpus Christi Transportation Advisory Committee and Sister City Committee

Our city needs new direction and the demands of our

community must be heard by a change in leadership. I have the business experience, military training, leadership and education necessary to lead our city. The streets, downtown and our beaches need immediate atten-tion. It’s time we listen to the people.”


Corpus Christi mayor


Corpus Christi should play to its strengths in industry and nature tourism and needs the right lead-ership to tackle years of deferred maintenance for buildings and streets.

That’s the kind of future Nelda Martinez wants to bring as the city’s next mayor.

Martinez, 51, has served on the City Council for three terms in a seat that represents the city at large.

During that time, she relied on her real estate background, and ability to filter complex informa-tion down to the facts, to help her

make the right decision based on merit not personal gain.

“I really believe that I have the vision to move our city forward be-cause of business experience and a long history of successful leader-ship roles in the community,” she said.

She comes from a large family and is one of nine siblings. At a young age, she learned to be finan-cially independent, she said, which helped her build four businesses from the ground up; most recently a title company she sold. She is the president of Alden Enterprises, a company that manages and leases office space.

Her business background and fiscally conservative nature is what will help guide the city to-

ward a plan so it can maintain its aging buildings — many of which, just like the city streets, have years of deferred maintenance.

The city is in the process of tak-ing inventory to figure out what it owns, the purpose of use and the maintenance needed.

A $72.5 million plan to redevelop 32 acres of public bayfront land, known as Destination Bayfront, is something she wants to see happen and will work to come up with a creative financial solution so the lion’s share of the cost doesn’t end up burdening the taxpayers, she said.

“I know it will be something we look back in time and say ‘I’m so glad we invested in ourselves,’ ” she said.

Martinez focuses on street, building maintenance

NELDA MARTINEZAGE: 51

OCCUPATION: President, Adlen Enterprises

POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: At-large city councilwoman, 2007-present; Apoointed to I-69 Alliance Board; State Board Gulf Coast Strategic Highway Coalition; Corpus Christi International Airport Advisory Board, Texas State Board of Plumbing Examiners.

My extensive leadership and business experience make me the

best choice as your next mayor to ensure that our families and businesses prosper with good streets and safe neighborhoods. You deserve a strong leader who understands fiscal accountability, complex issues and has a clear vision to move our city forward.”


Josey Wales wants to lead Corpus Christi and shake the status quo at City Hall with a new form of city government — one that puts him in charge.

He doesn’t like the direction the city is headed or the type of gov-ernment in place. If elected, the first thing he would do is fire City Manager Ron Olson and his four as-sistant city managers to establish a strong mayor form of government with him at the helm, he said. A change in the city’s form of govern-ment would require a City Charter

election and voter support.The collective salaries of the

city’s five top managers is about $857,000 per year and could pay for pothole repairs in the streets or whatever residents believe the needs of the city are, Wales said. Also, he plans to fire SMG — the company hired by the city to manage events at American Bank Center. Wales said he would get the convention center and arena to bring indoor women’s volleyball, ballroom dancing and professional wrestling and boxing events to Corpus Christi.

He’s against a proposed street user fee to pay for the city’s long neglected street maintenance — a $967 million problem. Instead he

would ask voters to decide whether to support the user fee, a new tax estimated to cost between $5 and $10 per month.

Wales, 65, moved to Corpus Chris-ti three years ago and runs a promo-tions group called Corpus Christi Wrestling Association. He’s twice run for mayor in Houston and legal-ly changed his name from Michael Wyzga Jr. to Outlaw Josey Wales IV for recognition in politics, he said.

He’s a retired engineer from the oil and gas industry in Houston, which makes him uniquely qualified to build on Corpus Christi’s relation-ship with industry, he said.

“If elected, I’m going to do every-thing I say I’m going to do,” he said.

Wales advocates strong mayor form of government

JOSEY WALES

AGE: 65OCCUPATION: Owner of Corpus Christi Wrestling Association and retired contract engineer from the oil and gas industryPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

I’m goingto fire everyone.”

Corpus Christi City Coun-cil District 4 stretches from the edge of downtown to the Gulf of Mexico.

The district’s boundary hugs Corpus Christi Bay along

Ocean Drive and gradually widens as it sweeps toward the Gulf, taking in most of the area lining Oso Bay, all of Flour Bluff, everyone within the city limits on Padre and Mustang

islands and a portion of the Southside bounded on the west by Rodd Field Road.

District 4 is home to the Schlitterbahn project, the 65-acre, $41 million water park

resort project under construc-tion at the end of Park Road 22.

Three candidates — Jano Andrasik, Colleen McIntyre and Webster Pell — are running to fill the seat, which is held by

mayoral candidate Chris Adler.City Council members serve

two-year terms and are paid $6,000 annually.

Mike D. Smith


SPID

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Saratoga

Airl

ine

CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 4

361

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358

Corpus Christi Bay

LagunaMadre Gulf of

Mexico

2 miles

Leopard

Baldwin1 mile

Ocean


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77

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AGE: 30 OCCUPATION: Owner of Gold Exchange, precious metals companyPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

JANO ANDRASIK

I have the drive and energy to be

your hands-on council-man. I refuse to become just another compla-cent member on council that has plagued District 4, and the city for that matter, for far too long. I bring a fresh, motivated, analytical approach that you can count on.”

3 seek council seat of departing Adler AGE: 65

OCCUPATION: Retired, fleet operations, management and maintenance for multiple facilitiesPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Fire commissioner, Nueces County Emergency Services District No. 2, current

WEBSTERPELL

Drive our roads. Look at our public

buildings. It is painfully clear that the city has no idea about mainte-nance. All they have done is assure citizens will pay more taxes to repair the damage caused by their failure to maintain and improve our city. We need a maintenance pro.”

City Council District 4


AGE: 46OCCUPATION: Teacher, Seashore Middle Academy; spokeswoman for Drs. McIntyre, Garza, Avila & JuricaPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

COLLEEN MCINTYRE

Now is the time to build recent

management improve-ments and economic growth into long-lasting prosperity. Growing up and raising a family here, I know what a special place Corpus Christi is. I have the experience, know-how and commit-ment to make it even better, and ask for your support.”

KELLEY ALLENAGE: 43OCCUPATION: Partner/general manager, File Pro record managementPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Appointed District 1 city councilman, January to present; Corpus Christi Housing Finance Corp.; Corpus Christi Audit Committee

We must take care of our local businesses first. Born and raised in Corpus Christi and as a

Calallen and Texas A&M-Corpus Christi graduate, I believe we must enhance infrastructure with the fore-sight to attract companies to our city. We accomplish this through fiscal responsibility, transparency and vision to think outside the box.”


CAL103020

Sheriff - Isaac ValenciaCounty Commissioner Pct. 1 - Mike PusleyConstable Pct. 1 - David Garcia214 District Court - Jose Longoria28th District Court - Douglas Mann347th District Court - Missy MedaryDistrict Attorney - Mark SkurkaJudge County Court #3 - Deanne GalvanJustice of the Peace Pct. 1-1 - Amanda TorresJustice of the Peace Pct. 4-2 - Janice Stoner

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District 2 occupies several neighbor-hoods in the center of the city.

The area stretches roughly from the edge of downtown toward the southeast, including where major thoroughfares such as Ayers Street, Holly, Weber, Carroll and Everhart intersect with Gollihar Road and Staples Street.

The District 2 seat is held by John Marez, who termed out after serving four consecutive terms.

Political newcomers Chad Magill and Brian Rosas are vying to take Marez’s place.

Council members serve two-year terms and are paid $6,000 annually.

Staff reports

Newcomers to compete

The City Council seat for District 3 is up for grabs be-tween a longtime incumbent and a former city council-man.

The district covers most of the Westside and Southside.

City Councilwoman Pris-cilla Leal is seeking her fourth term to the seat, which she took over in 2007 after defeating Jesse Noyola, who held the seat since 2001.

Now Noyola is challenging Leal to reclaim his former district.

Major issues in the cam-paign include street repair, with most of the district covering the city’s Westside neighborhoods.

Both candidates have said they are in favor of working to repair area streets, though both said there needs to be

more attention paid to how the repairs ultimately will be funded.

Council members serve

two-year terms and are paid $6,000 annually.

Steven Alford

Familiar foes again face off

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Agnes

CHAD MAGILL AGE: 37OCCUPATION: Business development officer, Stewart TitlePOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

Our potential is a gift from God. What we do with it is

our gift back to him. I pledge to you to continue my long history of listening, team building, research and planning that embody vision, integrity and commitment for the good people of District 2 and our community.”

BRIAN ROSASAGE: 38 OCCUPATION: Production supervisor, L3 Vertex Communications, Corpus Christi Army DepotPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

I envision a prosperous Corpus Christi. Corpus

Christi is on the cusp of becoming a big venue for both tourism and economic develop-ment. It is impera-tive this vision be accomplished by electing me as your councilman. I will advocate for revitalizing roads and making Corpus Christi more communal.”

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PRISCILLA LEALAGE: 66 OCCUPATION: Retired city workerPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Corpus Christi City Council, District 3, 2007-present

Citizens should vote for me

because I am doing what’s expected by the people that elected me to office. Not politics or what’s popular in politics, making the tough decisions and not being afraid to ask or demand open govern-ment and accountability with the taxpayer’s money at every corner, regardless.”

JESSE NOYOLAAGE: 50 OCCUPATION: Southwest Airlines ground operationsPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Corpus Christi City Council, District 3, 2001-07

District 3 should have a choice in

their representation. I have the experience and knowledge to under-stand the budget process. I am capable of re-searching information that would help me ask the right questions and formulate the best decision for District 3. Experience and leader-ship is needed in District 3.”


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DISTRICT 5


City Council at-large

The Corpus Christi City Council District 5 position represents much of the city’s South-side, an area running along South Padre Island Drive from South Staples Street to Oso Bay.

Councilman Larry Elizondo is not seeking re-election to District 5, leaving the seat open for challengers Rudy Garza Jr. and John Valls.

The seat is one of nine on the council, which includes five district seats, three at-large seats and a mayor.

A council member’s duties include setting public policy in the form of resolutions and or-dinances, adopting tax rates, deciding contracts valued more than $50,000 and advising the city manager about public business.


Jessica Savage

2 seek Elizondo’s seatRUDY GARZA JR.AGE: 57 OCCUPATION: Real estate investorPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Corpus Christi Planning Commission, Nueces County Tax Appraisal District board, Corpus Christi Building Standards board

I’m a small-business owner who understands how to

manage a budget and make difficult decisions on priori-ties. I believe that our future is bright in spite of the infra-structure challenges we face. I humbly ask for the support of District 5 voters to represent you in determining solutions.”

JOHN VALLSAGE: 48 OCCUPATION: Owner, Valls Consulting GroupPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority board; Corpus Christi Convention and Visitors Bureau board

I have a demonstrated track record of civic

involvement and leadership in numer-ous economic and community develop-ment initiatives bene-ficial to Corpus Christi. My experience in public administra-tion and an in-depth knowledge of District 5 positions me as the most qualified and capable candidate.”

■ 2 incumbents seek re-election

Three at-large seats on the Corpus Christi City Council represent the entire city. They are among nine seats on the council, including the mayor and five district seats that rep-resent sections of the city.

Candidates this year include incumbents David Loeb and Mark Scott, and challengers Alicia Benavidez, John Gar-cia, Lillian Riojas and John Sendejar.

The three candidates who garner the most votes will be elected to the council.

A council member’s duties

include setting public policy, adopting tax rates, deciding contracts valued more than $50,000 and advising the city manager about public busi-ness.


Mark Collette

6 candidates pursue 3 spots

ALICIA BENAVIDEZAGE: 76OCCUPATION: Retired state employeePOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

People should vote for me

because I still see a lot of potential for the city to grow and become viable. I have no self interests or special interests that would clog my resolve to work in the best interest of our community. Your concerns are mine. I hear you!”

JOHN GARCIAAGE: 36OCCUPATION: Director of sales and marketing, Comfort Suites near Texas A&M University-Corpus ChristiPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

I was born and raised in Corpus

Christi, and I am proud that it is the only place I want to call home. I’m not running for City Council at-large to benefit me; I’m running to be a voice for our citizens of Corpus Christi. It’s time for a change.”

More at-large council candidates are on Page 10

TODD YATES/CALLER-TIMES FILE

At-large City Council candidates Alicia G. Benavidez (from left), John Garcia, David Loeb, Lillian Riojas, Mark Scott and John A. Sendejar hold a lively debate during the League of Women Voters Corpus Christi candi-dates forum program at City Hall in September. Voters approved a change to the City Charter in 2010 to move the city elections to November.


City Council at-large

LILLIAN RIOJASAGE: 40OCCUPATION: Senior manager for public affairs, Valero Energy Corp.POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Workforce Solutions of the Coastal Bend board

I bring new energy, ideas, fresh perspectives and am

pro-business. I have a new type of leadership to help our city face its challenges and keep our city growing, moving forward. I want to build on the success the city has had and to help unleash the still untapped poten-tial.”

MARK SCOTTAGE: 52OCCUPATION: President, San Jacinto Title ServicesPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Corpus Christi City Council District 4, 1999-2007; at-large, 2009-present

Experience: I have a depth of knowledge in the issues

unmatched by any other council member or candi-date. Leadership: I listen, gather input from a variety of sources but then decide and act on those decisions. I find solutions to problems and move issues forward.”

JOHN SENDEJARAGE: 48OCCUPATION: Retired city employeePOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: London school district trustee, 14 years; Nueces County Appraisal District board, 10 years.

I want to represent our community, especially the

working-class citizens who day in and day out work hard Monday through Friday and are just trying to get ahead in life and enjoy living here in Corpus Christi. I promise I will work hard for you and move this city forward.”

DAVID LOEBAGE: 31OCCUPATION: Commercial property management company ownerPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: City councilman at-large, 2011-present; city planning commissioner, 2007-09; Downtown Management District chairman, 2009-11 (member, 2007-11), Board of Adjustment (2005-07).

My commitment is simple. One, ensure my actions

result in safe, quality neighbor-hoods, excellent basic services and responsible stewardship of your taxes. Two, con-tinue providing real solutions to community issues and make sure we are accountable to you. Three, to keep implementing changes, which positively impact our citizens and economy.” More at-large City Council candidates are on Page 9

CAL103980

Served the community as a Municipal Court Judge fornine years.

Endorsed by Corpus Christi Police Officers’ Association GPAC.

Endorsed by the Nueces County Combined Law EnforcementOfficers’ Association.

Former Assistant District Attorney who prosecuted violentcriminals to make our community a safer place to live.

Received Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Service onbehalf of Crime Victims from the Coalition of Crime Victim’s Rights.

Please vote for JUDGE MISSY MEDARY

3 4 7 t h D I S T R I C T C O U R T

Political ad paid for by the committee to elect Judge Missy Medary.


The city is asking voters to approve about $90 million in debt for streets, public building improvements and economic development projects.

The eight bond propositions will be listed individually on the ballot. Any propositions totaling more than $55 million

will require a property tax increase because the city has reached its debt capacity.

Proposition 1 is the larg-est of the issues, proposing $55 million in street work, which has been a priority for the city this year.

The street work in Proposi-

tions 1 and 8 does not take into account underground util-ity work to replace old storm drain pipes or add new ones. That cost, about $1.79 a month, would be added to the monthly water and wastewater rates.

The total bill if all bond proj-ects are approved: The average

residential water bill would in-crease about $21.48 per year, and city property taxes would increase about $19.27 for a $100,000 house.

The 2012 bond is small-er than the 2008 and 2004 bonds. In 2008, voters ap-proved $153 million in proj-

ects, including $105 million in roadwork. The 2004 bond was $95 million, $68 million of it for streets. In both of those elections, voters ap-proved all projects proposed by the city by wide margins.

Staff reports

Money sought for roadwork, projects

PROPOSITION NO. 1

The issuance of bonds for designing, constructing, renovating, and making permanent street improvements in the aggregate principal amount of $55 million including:

■ Navigation Boulevard, generally from Up River Road to Leopard Street

■ South Alameda Street, generally from Ayers Street to Louisiana Avenue

■ Greenwood Drive, generally from Gollihar Road to Horne Road

■ Ocean Drive, generally from Buford Street to Louisiana Avenue

■ Tuloso Road, generally from Interstate 37 to Leopard Street

■ South Staples Street, generally from Brawner Parkway to Kostoryz Road

■ South Staples Street, generally from Morgan Avenue to Interstate 37

■ McArdle Road, generally from Nile Drive to Ennis Joslin Road

■ McArdle Road, generally from Whitaker Drive to Nile Drive

■ Kostoryz Road, generally from Brawner Parkway to Staples Street

■ Horne Road, generally from Ayers Street to Port Avenue

■ Morgan Avenue, generally from Staples Street to Crosstown Expressway

■ Twigg Street, generally from Shoreline Boulevard to Lower Broadway

■ Leopard Street, generally from Crosstown Expressway to Palm Drive

■ Holly Road, generally from Crosstown Expressway to Greenwood Drive (contingent upon receipt of federal leveraging funds)

■ Williams Drive, generally from Staples Street to Airline Road (contingent upon receipt of federal leveraging funds)

■ Yorktown Boulevard, generally from Rodd Field Road to Cimarron Boulevard

■ JFK Causeway area improvements ■ ADA Master Plan improvements citywide ■ Signal improvements and street lighting citywide

■ Texas Department of Transportation participation projects and other street improvements

PROPOSITION NO. 2

The issuance of bonds for the design, construction, renovation, improvement and

equipment of City Hall improvements in the aggregate principal amount of $1.75 million including:

■ City Hall fire suppression and fire alarm upgrades

■ City Hall roof repair and waterproofing (exterior) and other City Hall improvements

PROPOSITION NO. 3

The issuance of bonds for the design, construction, renovation, expansion, improvement, and equipment of the City Service Center Complex in the aggregate principal amount of $4.75 million including:

■ Streets and Solid Waste administration building roof replacement

■ Signs/signal operations — new shop and office facility

■ Animal Control remodel/improvements ■ Fleet maintenance heavy equipment shop roof

■ Streets & Solid Waste storage building structure with slab (new facility) and other Service Center Complex improvements

PROPOSITION NO. 4

The issuance of bonds for designing, constructing, renovating, improving, and equipping city parks and recreational facilities in the aggregate principal amount of $16 million including:

■ Community park development and improvements

■ Hike & bike trail development ■ Aquatic Facility upgrades and improvements

■ Tennis Center repairs and upgrades (H-E-B and Al Kruse Centers)

■ Ocean Drive park improvements and other Park & Recreation Department improvements

PROPOSITION NO. 5

The issuance of bonds for designing, constructing, renovating, improving and equipping museum and library facilities in the aggregate principal amount of $2.34 million including:

■ Museum of Science and History roof replacement

■ Central Library roof replacement ■ Northwest Library and Garcia Library roof replacement

■ ADA improvements to the Art Museum of South Texas building and barge dock parking lot and other museum and library improvements

PROPOSITION NO. 6

The issuance of bonds for designing, constructing, renovating, improving and equipping public health facilities in the aggregate principal amount of $820,000 including:

■ Health Department east rear restroom repair and WIC building roof

■ Health Department building parking lot and other improvements

PROPOSITION NO. 7

The issuance of bonds for designing, constructing, renovating, improving, and equipping public safety improvements in the aggregate principal amount of $700,000 including:

■ Vehicle impound yard and garage phase 2 and other improvements.

PROPOSITION NO. 8

The issuance of bonds for the design, construction, renovating, improvement, and equipment of city streets, sidewalks, and related facilities that are expected to promote and expand business activities, in the aggregate principal amount not to exceed $8.4 million, including:

■ Seatown pedestrian improvements ■ North Beach area road improvements and area beautification

■ North Beach breakwater, Plaza, North Shoreline repair and enhancement (contingent upon receipt of leveraging funds)

■ County Road 52 extension, generally County Road 69 to Farm-to-Market Road 1889 (contingent upon receipt of leveraging funds)

■ International Boulevard (contingent upon receipt of leveraging funds)

■ Other street and utility construction projects for which the city receives developer participation and other economic development projects

City propositions


Without a shoulder, pedestrians must either walk in the road, or on a sometimes muddy path on this stretch of McArdle Road between Niles Drive and Ennis Joslin Road. One of the proposed 2012 bond street projects is to improve public safety and widen this stretch of road, which is where a woman was killed in February while walking to church. The $3.1 million bond project includes widening the road from two lanes to three lanes, add-ing sidewalks, bike lanes, curb and gutter.


U.S. Senate

■ Earlier bashed party regulars as too moderateBy Will WeissertAssociated Press

AUSTIN — Ted Cruz won the Republican nomination for Texas’ open U.S. Senate seat as a Tea Party insurgent and major underdog. Now he heads into the general elec-tion the prohibitive favorite and is busy reconciling with a state GOP establishment he long bashed as too moderate.

Cruz argues that there’s nothing unusual about his making nice with former foes. “Typically, after a primary, one hopes to see Republicans unite,” he said in an interview. “That’s what’s supposed to happen.”

Still, Cruz became a nation-al symbol of Tea Party might when he upset Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, a 14-year veteran of Texas politics endorsed by Gov. Rick Perry and much of the state GOP mainstream.

The lieutenant governor won the Texas primary in May by 10 percentage points, but failed to capture a majority in a nine-Republican field. Cruz then painted Dewhurst as a closet moderate beholden to the party establishment and whipped him by nearly 14 points in a July runoff.

Cruz’s new opponent, for-mer Democratic state Rep. Paul Sadler, says Cruz is a po-litical novice who is too ex-treme for even a state as con-servative as Texas — where no Democrat has won state-wide elected office in nearly 20 years.

But Cruz responded that Sadler’s 12 years in the Texas House ended in 2003, adding: “I don’t agree with him that the only people that deserve a public office are those who have held elected office for many, many years.”

Cruz continues to cam-paign across Texas, striking a decidedly populist tone while pledging to reign in federal spending and get “govern-ment’s boot off the necks of small businesses.”

But Cruz also has appeared at fundraisers lately with both Dewhurst and Perry. He’s sim-ilarly raised money with the woman he’s vying to replace, retiring U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, U.S. Sen. John Cornyn and Texas Attorney

General Greg Abbott. And all this comes after Cruz spoke at the Republican National Convention.

Asked if he’s still an insur-gent, Cruz said, “Sure I am.”

“We just came through a $50 million primary, the most expensive primary in the country,” he said, “and we were outspent 3 to 1.”

Indeed, GOP strategist Matt Mackowiak said Cruz has to replenish his campaign cof-fers since his primary con-

tributions can’t be spent campaigning for the Nov. 6 general election — and party veterans have a broader donor base than a relative newcomer like Cruz.

“Once you get through a primary, everybody’s estab-lishment,” Mackowiak said.

Cruz was a virtual un-known when he mulled a run for attorney general in 2010 but chose not to challenge Ab-bott. Instead, he announced he would campaign for U.S. Sen-

ate — defying Dewhurst, who has overseen the powerful Texas Senate since 2003.

The owner of an energy company, Dewhurst spent $20 million of his own money on the campaign. Cruz countered with large donations from na-tional Tea Party groups. The Washington-based, free-mar-ket advocacy organization Club for Growth spent $5.5 million supporting Cruz — but

Cruz reconciling with former GOP foes

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Republican nominee for U.S. Senate Ted Cruz appears at the Northwest Forest Republican Women luncheon on Oct. 8 in Houston. After winning a runoff for the Republican nomination, Cruz is favored to defeat Democratic candidate Paul Sadler for the seat held by Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, who is retiring.

See CRUZ, Page 15


Pol. Ad Pd. for by the Campaign to Re-elect Judge Nanette Hasette, Connie Munoz, Treasurer, in voluntary compliance with the

Judicial Campaign Fairness Act. P.O. Box 316, Corpus Christi, Texas 78401

EDUCATION: Del Mar College

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Re-Electto the 28th

DISTRICTCOURT

■ The far right is undermining system, he saysBy Will WeissertAssociated Press

TEMPLE — U.S. Senate Demo-cratic candidate and decided-longshot Paul Sadler likes to point to his record of bipar-tisanship as an influential member of the Texas House for 12 years.

But he left the Legislature nine years ago, and in today’s political climate, many see a willingness to work with the other side as a liability.

Still, Sadler says that ob-structionism by conservative officeholders, who so mistrust government that they try to undermine it, is the reason for gridlock in Congress. He insists that’s not what voters want — even in Texas, where a Democrat hasn’t won state-wide office since 1994.

“I’ve always been able to find that center point between two people,” Sadler said. “When you do good things to-gether, good things happen.”

That’s a far cry from Sadler’s opponent, Ted Cruz, the former Texas solicitor general who is a Tea Party darling and has called for a great conservative awaken-ing.

The forum ended with Sadler autographing an Obama campaign yard sign for a supporter and shaking hands. During an interview a few minutes later, he said, “It’s very hard to get along if you have your fist clinched and your arms folded.”

“That’s what these people do when they push for more radicalism, more extremism,” Sadler said of the Tea Party.

Cruz upset Lt. Gov. Da-vid Dewhurst, the choice of mainstream Texas Repub-licans, to secure his party’s

Senate nomination. He says he’ll work with both parties on Capitol Hill, but Cruz best-ed Dewhurst by running hard

to his right and painting him as a closet moderate.

Unlike Cruz, Sadler says he’s not interested in “lead-

ing a national movement, just winning a Senate seat.”

A native Texan, Sadler moved frequently as a young-

ster, even spending a year of high school in Ventura, Calif., where he was friends with ac-tor Kevin Costner. He gradu-ated from Baylor University and Law School before set-tling in the East Texas town of Henderson with his wife, Sherri.

Sadler says the national Democratic Party hasn’t backed him financially, and Texas Democratic donors are giving more to out-of-state candidates whose races look winnable. He has there-fore struggled to stay relevantagainst Cruz.

In the Texas House, Sadlerchaired the powerful Public Education Committee where he helped approve a propertytax cut while securing three straight pay increases for teachers.

Sadler worked with Repub-lican state Sen. Bill Ratliff to pass an overhaul of the Tex-as education system in 1995, which reduced regulations and returned more control to local school districts.

As a demonstration of bipartisanship, then-Gov. George W. Bush signed the measure into law in Hen-derson, declaring that it was “not a Republican bill or a Democrat bill. This is a Texas bill.”

Such an event likely wouldn’t f ly today. Said Ratliff: “Those were different times, before the extremists got in control of at least the primary process, if not the entire process.”

Nonetheless, Sadler rou-tinely praises the woman he’d like to replace, Repub-lican U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, for championing responsible public works projects and protecting Texas military bases.

He hasn’t always been so cordial with his opponents, though. Longtime Texas


U.S. Senate

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Former Texas state Rep. Paul Sadler, running for the state’s open U.S. Senate seat, addresses a Democratic forum at Temple College on Oct. 4. Sadler is a major underdog in the race against Tea Party-backed Republi-can and former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz but says his past record of working with both parties shows he can find pragmatic solutions to the gridlock ailing Washington.

See SADLER, Page 15

Sadler touts a record of bipartisanship

Monthly columnist Paul Burka re-members a 1997 hearing when Sadler unleashed such a tongue lashing on former Continental Airlines CEO Gordon Bethune that some called him “Gordon Buffoon” afterward.

“Sadler just ambushed him, and he’s very smart so it was awful for Bet-hune,” Burka said.

Ratliff said Sadler wasn’t above oc-casional legislative arm-twisting of both Republicans and Democrats to get his way: “He did it with a lot of skill and sometimes a lot of intimida-tion.”

Now 57, Sadler says he has mel-lowed with age.

“There are times in the process when you’ve got to get in people’s face and say ‘That’s enough,’ ” he said. “But that really comes with respect. You can’t stand up and say ‘Enough’ unless you’ve been fair up to that point.’ ”

Still, some of the old fire emerged during a debate last week, when

Sadler dismissed Cruz as a “troll.” Sadler now says regrets saying that.

He admits to having to reintroducehimself to voters who have forgotten— or aren’t old enough to remember — his record.

In 2001, a car wreck left Sadler’s then 10-year-old son Sam in a coma for 64 hours. Sadler announced the following year that he wasn’t runningagain.

“I knew the minute that Sam got hurt, it was over,” he said. “But even before then, I used to tell my friends that the hardest part of serving in theLegislature was backing out of the driveway and saying goodbye to my children and my family.”

Now that his five kids are grown, Sadler says he has no such concerns.

He ran unsuccessfully in 2004 to replace Ratliff after he resigned from the Texas Senate and acknowl-edges that another defeat is likely this time.

“It’s worth the fight,” Sadler said. “I think we have serious issues that we need to resolve, and I don’t think sticking your head in the sand re-solves them.”


U.S. Senate

SADLERfrom Page 14

says it doesn’t feel shortchanged now that he’s mending Republican fences.

“Grass-roots conservatives don’t care about words, they care about actions. Ted Cruz has changed neither,” said club spokesman Barney Keller. “He will vote to limit government and to increase economic liberty when he’s in the Senate. I don’t think anyone has any doubt about that and his rhetoric hasn’t changed.”

Julie Turner, president of the Texas Patriots PAC in suburban Houston, said of Cruz, “He does have to represent all of Texas now, so we want him to work with other people but still stay prin-cipled.”

“It’s not Cruz becoming establish-ment,” Turner said. “It’s Dewhurst and others becoming friendlier to him.”

A former Ivy League debating cham-pion with degrees from Princeton and Harvard, Cruz wouldn’t appear to cut much of anti-establishment figure. He even fell in love with his wife, Heidi, while both were working on the 2000

presidential campaign of George W. Bush — now often a target of Tea Party ire for running up large federal deficits.

Cruz argued cases on behalf of Texas as the state’s solicitor general between 2003 and 2008, but he was appointed by Abbott, meaning he’s never held politi-cal office.

The son of a Cuban-American who fled the island before Fidel Castro took power, Cruz was born while his parents were in Alberta during a Canadian en-ergy boom, though he grew up mostly in Houston.

That likely makes Cruz eligible for dual U.S.-Canadian citizenship — iron-ic given that his native country has a na-tionalized health care system and Cruz has been a fierce critic of the Obama administration’s health care overhaul.

“I am a U.S. citizen,” Cruz said. “I have only ever had one passport and that is a U.S. passport.” He refused to elaborate, and Canadian consular of-ficials won’t comment, citing privacy concerns.

“I was born in Calgary,” Cruz quipped, borrowing an old line from Bush, “because I wanted to be near my mother at the time.”

CRUZfrom Page 12

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CONSTABLEPCT. 1

Elect


■ Incumbent has been rated as a moderateBy Rick [email protected] 361-886-3667

U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold is taking nothing for granted in the 2012 election cycle, despite the Republican-friendly layout of his new congressional district.

Anything can happen in poli-tics, just as it did for him in 2010, when the former computer tech-nology consultant and conser-vative talk radio host with a law degree beat 14-term incumbent Democrat Solomon P. Ortiz.

Born of political stock that includes Sissy Farenthold, an iconic Texas Democrat, Far-enthold has shown resiliency, weathering criticism of every-thing from his appearance — his shoes are untied as often as not — to his policies and even his family mishaps.

A product of Tea Party sup-port that drove people to the polls in 2010, Farenthold is rated by most Washington po-

litical watchdogs as a moderate Republican, most likely because he broke from the ranks to vote to raise the debt ceiling in 2011 and thus avoid a credit-crushing government default.

As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and

Government Reform, Faren-thold has hit the airwaves in the wake of the federal Fast and Furious scandal that recently led to a shake-up at the U.S. Depart-ment of Justice.

He has written a couple of bills, but his signature freshman

legislation appears likely to be the REEFS Act, a bill calling for a moratorium on the removal of underwater oil and gas rigs that, once abandoned, make good fish habitats. The bill is in the House Subcommittee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Farenthold working to keep his positionU.S. House District 27

■ Consultant says parties are polarizingBy Rick [email protected] 361-886-3667

Independent congressional candidate Bret Baldwin is chal-lenging U.S. Rep. Blake Faren-thold for the Congressional Dis-trict 27 seat because he is tired of watching the U.S. teeter on a financial cliff and believes he can do a better job.

“Congressional approval

ratings are down into the sin-gle digits, and neither of my opponents representing the two major parties have large followings like our departing public servant, the Hon. Ron Paul of the late District 14,” Baldwin said in an email.

Paul is retiring after rep-resenting District 14 for 24 years. That district was parsed out in redistrict-ing this year, and Baldwin’s hometown of Victoria was added to District 27.

Baldwin, 48, said he was spurred to run by watching the U.S. credit rating in late 2011 get downgraded for the first

time in history.“A year later, it has been con-

firmed — Congress has failed us, both in the House and the Senate,” he said.

The small-business devel-opment consultant said he shades to the conservative side of politics, but Republican and Democratic policies are too self-seeking and polarizing to be effective.

“They are willing to walk away from their responsibili-ties and duties as our repre-sentatives to our country’s detriment,” he said. “This has to change, and it has to change now.”

Baldwin said if elected he will use his small-busi-ness background to push for streamlined processes in

Washington, D.C.“This is a concept that is

highly needed in Washington,” he said.

Baldwin pushes independent runAGE: 48 PARTY: IndependentOCCUPATION: Small-business development consultantPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

BRET BALDWIN

I will put our country’s priorities first, such as passing a balanced budget. I

will use my global business experiences to strengthen our economy and bring private sector efficiencies to our government. As an independent, I have no political party affiliation or agenda. I bring true bold change to Washing-ton.”

U.S. CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 27

San Patricio

Refugio

Calhoun

Matagorda

WhartonLavaca

Gonzales

Caldwell

Bastrop

Jackson

Victoria

Nueces

Aransas

CorpusChristi

Gulf of Mexico

20 miles

MICHAEL ZAMORA/CALLER-TIMES FILE

U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold smiles alongside wife Debbie during primary night as he thanks supporters during a watch party at Brewster Street Ice House. Farenthold easily won the Republican nomination that night.

BLAKE FARENTHOLDAGE: 50PARTY: RepublicanOCCUPATION: U.S. representativePOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: U.S. representative, District 27, 2011- present

As a fiscal conser-vative, I have

helped lead the fight against out-of-control spending and govern-ment over-regu-lation that is threaten-ing our nation. I have listened to my constitu-ents, worked hard to encourage businesses to locate in District 27 and stood for Texas values in Washington, D.C.”

■ Education touted as her No. 1 priorityBy Rick [email protected] 361-886-3667

Rose Meza Harrison this year resigned as Nueces Coun-ty assistant attorney to devote all of her time and energy in winning the crowded Demo-cratic primary for Congressio-nal District 27.

The hard work paid off for Harrison, who eked into a run-off with local attorney Jerry J. Trevino, then turned around and beat him by 20 percent.

Now, Harrison faces in-cumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Blake Farenthold in a race for a new district drawn by Republi-can lawmakers in Austin.

But Harrison has not backed down from the challenge. She has fashioned herself as the anti-Farenthold: a South Texas Latina whose father worked the oil fields and taught her the sort of work ethic that helped her balance single motherhood with law school.

If elected, she said, she will

fight to protect Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security from cuts and go on the offen-sive to champion education programs tailored to South Texans’ needs.

“The 27th District needs more educational opportunities for its young people,” she said in a recent interview. “That will be my No. 1 priority.”

Harrison said for too long,

young people have been pi-geonholed by a system that lacks vocational skills training.

In a region so rich in oppor-tunities for skilled workers, Harrison said she will work to

give educators the incentives they need to foster those oppor-tunities in South Texas schools.

■ Byrd, 27, currently has Wal-Mart postBy Rick [email protected] 361-886-3667

At least 21 voters may want to give Congressional District 27 the Byrd.

As of last week, 21 Face-book users had given Liber-tarian candidate Corrie Byrd a thumbs-up in his bid to go from assistant store manager

at a Corpus Christi Wal-Mart to Blake Farenthold’s office in Washington, D.C.

Byrd, 27, said he is running for Farenthold’s seat because he believes he will bring a no-strings-attached approach to Congress.

“I’m an average citizen that understands our concerns,” Byrd said in an email. “I won’t bow down to power or money.”

The Texas A&M Universi-ty-Commerce graduate, while without political experience, is not afraid to take risks. He recently put together a de-

tailed business plan hoping to raise about $430,000 to open a bar and grill featuring vir-tual golf simulators. He said he has abandoned the effort.

Byrd follows a long line of Libertarian candidates to have tried, and failed, to win the Congressional District 27 seat.

Ed Mishou in 2010 garnered a little more than 5 percent of the vote, and Robert E. Powell pulled in, on average, 3.6 per-cent of the vote in the 2008 and 2006 elections.

Libertarians have been a constant presence on the

ballot as far back as 1998. Mishou’s 2010 bid represents the high water mark for voter support.

But for Byrd, his ultimate

motive may be no more com-plex than the closing state-ment in his candidate profile: “Last but not least, let’s give Congress the Byrd!”


U.S. House District 27

AGE: 27 PARTY: LibertarianOCCUPATION: Assistant store manager, Wal-MartPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

CORRIE BYRD

I’m an average citizen that under-stands our concerns. I won’t bow

down to power or money. My vote will not be swayed by anyone. Last, but not least, let’s give Congress the Byrd!”

Libertarian not afraid of risks

AGE: 59 PARTY: DemocratOCCUPATION: LawyerPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Chairwoman, Nueces County Democratic Party; chairwoman, San Patricio County Democratic Party

ROSE MEZA HARRISON

I am a former assistant Nueces

County attorney who is dedicated to putting people first. As the first Latina in history to represent Texas in Congress, I will fight to better education, protect Medicare and Social Security, honor our veterans, and deal with our debt responsibly.”

Harrison’s work earns Democratic spot

CALLER-TIMES FILE

Rose Meza Harrison was all smiles when she learned she won the Democratic nomination in a runoff. She now faces three opponents for the District 27 congressional seat.


CAL103645

PoliticalAdPaidforby theRudyGarza Jr.Campaign.TreasurerWayneLundquist,POBox4525,CorpusChristi,TX78469-4525

EXPERIENCE

Because of my time on boards, such

as the Corpus Christi Planning

Commission, I understand the city

budget, how to find answers to tough

questions and how to stay on task.

TRANSPARENCYACTION

CAL103645

By Rick [email protected] 361-886-3667

Republican state Rep. Raul Torres won a seat in the state House in 2010 only to have it disappear under a redis-tricting plan that paired his District 33 with Connie Scott’s District 34.

Rather than run against Scott in the District 34 Republican primary, Torres chose to challenge Democratic state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa for the Senate Dis-trict 20 seat.

In his freshman session, Torres passed an amendment to test a private sector management technique in the federally-funded Texas Work Opportu-nity Tax Credit program managed by the Texas Workforce Commission.

The results, published in August, showed the pilot helped the commission process more applications for less cost, giving employers access to an additional $97 million in tax credits in 2012. The study did not quantify the savings to the commission.

Torres is running as a candidate who wants to continue cutting waste in Aus-tin while fighting to ensure poor South Texans are given their fair share of ed-ucation and, to a lesser extent, federal health care funding and infrastructure dollars.

He said lawmakers lack the political will to scrap the Texas franchise tax, also referred to as the margins tax — the foundation for education funding in Texas — but that businesses are in favor of expanding it within certain limits.

“They don’t mind paying the tax,” he said. “What makes it a problem for busi-ness owners is when one business pays but not another.” He said he would favor expanding it to include all businesses, large and small.

He said he was not sure Gov. Rick Perry’s decision to reject Medicaid ex-pansion dollars available through the federal Affordable Care Act was the right move for South Texas.

He said a large percentage of the un-educated people in South Texas will not understand the effect of Perry’s decision.


State Senate District 20

Torres pushes for slashing more waste


State Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa is in his third term, but his service extends far beyond his time in the upper chamber.

The McAllen Democrat arrived in the state House of Representatives in 1981 and served until 1991. Then he took a six-year break, returned in 1997 and stayed until 2003, when he entered the Senate.

“My philosophy is to take a balanced approach to the issues and be biparti-san,” he said during an interview at the Caller-Times. “There is a push from the far right and far left to make the Texas Legislature into a Washington, D.C.,-type of partisanship. I’m op-posed to that. We need to do what’s best for Texas.”

Hinojosa said he wants to work to re-store education cuts made in the 2012-13 budget by using the estimated $8 billion Rainy Day Fund lawmakers expect for the 2014-15 education budget.

“We are growing by 80,000 new stu-dents each year, and education is key to the future of our state,” he said.

He said he is for a constitutional amend-ment that would allow an income tax on business but that the state should consider all revenue generators, not just raising taxes and fees and pushing expenses off

on local governments that are dependent on property tax revenues.

“When the state fails to fund services to Texans, the cost doesn’t go away; it is just shifted to cities and counties,” he said. “We cannot continue kicking the can down the road.”

Hinojosa criticized Gov. Rick Perry’s intention to reject Medicaid expansion dollars as a political, knee-jerk reaction to a problem that is not going away.

“Twenty-five percent of Texans are uninsured,” he said. “That’s 6.2 million Texans. Somebody has to pay for that.”

He said the burden on county govern-ments that must set aside 8 percent of their annual budgets for indigent care is not sustainable.

Hinojosa counts on evenhanded approach


The state Senate District 20 race this year features something the Democratic incumbent, Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa, has not seen in years.

An opponent.For the first time since Hino-

josa took office in 2003, general election voters in the polarized district — Corpus Christi sits at one end, McAllen the other — will see another name on the ballot: state Rep. Raul Torres.

Torres, who chose to run for state Senate after redistricting maps eliminated his House dis-trict in Corpus Christi, is gun-ning for Hinojosa as a self-en-

riching bureaucrat who cannot be trusted to work for the poor and needy communities in South Texas.

But Torres must be prepared for attacks from Hinojosa, who went for the jugular in a Sept. 24 forum in Corpus Christi by say-ing Torres missed more roll call votes than nearly every other representative in the 150-mem-

ber House and pointing out he later was saddled with the dread-ed “furniture” designation in Texas Monthly magazine.

Hinojosa has continued to at-tack Torres on his attendance record. During an interview at the Caller-Times, he took a jab at Torres when saying the

Race spurs jabs over attendance

RAUL TORRESAGE: 58PARTY: RepublicanOCCUPATION: Certified public accountantPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: State representative, 2011 to present; Corpus Christi Loan Review Committee; Corpus Christi Transportation Advisory Committee

As state senator, I will work to create good paying jobs,

stop wasteful government spend-ing and get South Texas our fair share of public school funding. I voted against cuts to our schools, and with your vote I will represent your values and be your voice in the Texas Senate.”

JUAN ‘CHUY’ HINOJOSAAGE: 66PARTY: DemocratOCCUPATION: LawyerPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: State senator, 2003 to present; State representative, 1981-1991, 1997-2003; Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, 1994-1996; Special investigator, Texas National Guard

I’m a Vietnam Marine veteran and your state

senator. Education is my No. 1 priority — education is the great equalizer. I fought to eliminate waste and misman-agement in govern-ment and cut taxes for small business-es. I put people ahead of politics, and I fight for our families in Austin.”

See DISTRICT 20, PAGE 20

mmJimmellseWee

CorpusChristi

Gulf ofMMexM ico

SENATEDISTRICT 20

BrooksB

Hidalgo


Coastal Bend delegation works well together.

“I worked well with Connie Scott — I work very well with all members,” Hinojosa said. “I could tell you I work well with Raul, but he was never around.”

Torres skipped or missed 110 votes on the House floor, more than all but two lawmak-ers, during the 82nd legislative session, based on data from Telicon, a legislative tracking service. He had perfect atten-dance in committee hearings, according to a 2011 Caller-Times analysis.

Torres has said he missed floor votes because he was busy in committee hearings and meeting with constituents and lobbyists.

“You can’t be on the floor voting 100 percent of the time,” Torres said during an

interview at the Caller-Times. “It’s not possible.”

Now often seen with a “21” button on his lapel, Torres is banking on support for some-thing larger than himself: the opportunity for Republicans to fill 21 of 31 Senate seats, a two-thirds majority that, giv-en the Republican stronghold in the House, would push all the chips to the GOP side of the legislative branch.

Republicans hold 19 seats, and all 31 are up for election this year.

As in 2010, Torres has the backing of the Hispanic Re-publicans of Texas and has campaigned hard in Hinojosa’s backyard of Hidalgo County, a Democratic stronghold.

State senators typically serve four-year terms except following reapportionment, when they are required by law to draw lots for two-year terms. They are paid $7,200 per year plus a per diem dur-ing the legislative session.

DISTRICT 20from Page 19

State House District 32State Senate District 20

CALLER-TIMES FILE

State Rep.Todd Hunter likely will feel as happy on Election Day. The Republican doesn’t have an opponent on the ballot.

TODD HUNTERAGE: 59 PARTY: RepublicanOCCUPATION: LawyerPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: State representative, 1989-1997 and 2009-present

I ask people to vote for me because my

experience in the legislative process — from the Appropria-tions Committee all the way to the Calendars Committee — has helped our region and can get things done. In January, I will be about thirty-seventh of 150 in seniority in the House.”

CAL103503


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Monday1. Christus Spohn Hospital Shoreline 600 Elizabeth St.9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

2. YWCA4601 Corona Drive9 a.m. -5 p.m.

3. Lindale Senior Center3135 Swantner Drive9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

4. Lone Star Country Store 14342 Northwest Blvd.10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Tuesday5. Driscoll Children’s Hospital3533 S. Alameda St.9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

6. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi University Center6300 Ocean Drive 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

7. Wooldridge Place 7352 Wooldridge Road 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

8. Driscoll ISD Cafetorium410 W. Ave. D8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Wednesday9. Christus Spohn Hospital Memorial 2606 Hospital Blvd.9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

10. Corpus Christi Army Depot Subway lobby308 Crecy St. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

11. Trinity Towers101 N. Upper Broadway St. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.* Banquete Senior Citizens Center4359 4th St.8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Thursday12. Corpus Christi Medical Center Bay Area7101 S. Padre Island Drive9 a.m. - 5 p.m.13. One Shoreline Plaza800 N. Shoreline Blvd. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.14. Oveal Williams Senior Center1414 Martin Luther King Drive9 a.m. - 2 p.m.* Petronila Elementary Cafeteria2391 County Road 67 Robstown

Friday15. Christus Spohn Hospital South5950 Saratoga Blvd.9 a.m. - 5 p.m.16. La Michoacana Bakery3829 Crosstown Expressway 7 a.m. - 4 p.m.17. Trisun Care Center Corpus Christi202 Fortune Drive9 a.m. - 2 p.m.* David Berlanga Community Center1513 Second St.

Agua Dulce8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Saturday18. Nueces County Community Center415 Mainer RoadRobstown9 a.m. - 4 p.m.

19. Half Price Books5425 S. Padre Island Drive 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

20. Corpus Christi Athletic Club2101 Airline Road10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

21. Corpus Christi Trade Center 2833 S. Padre Island Drive10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Oct. 2822. Sutherlands4041 S. Staples St. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.19. Half Price Books5425 S. Padre Island Drive 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.23. Garden Estates Retirement Center2709 Cimarron Blvd. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.21. Corpus Christi Trade Center 2833 S. Padre Island Drive10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Oct. 2924. Corpus Christi Medical Tower

1521 S. Staples St. 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.25. Tower II office building555 N. Carancahua St.8 a.m. - 5 p.m.26. Zavala Senior Center510 Osage St. 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.4. Lone Star Country Store 14342 Northwest Blvd.10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Oct. 3027. Corpus Christi Medical Center Doctors Regional3315 S. Alameda St.9 a.m. - 5 p.m.28. Del Mar College Center for Economic Development3209 S. Staples St.9 a.m. - 5 p.m.29. Legacy Home Health Center5633 S. Staples St. 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.* Petronila Elementary Cafeteria2391 County Road 67Robstown8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Oct. 3130. South Texas Lighthouse for the Blind1421 Agnes St.9 a.m. - 4 p.m.31. Del Mar College West Coleman Center4101 Old Brownsville Road 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

32. Harbor Place Retirement Center5518 Lipes Blvd.9 a.m. - 2 p.m.

* Banquete Senior Citizens Center4359 Fourth St.8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Nov. 133. MHMR of Nueces County1610 S. Brownlee St. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.34. Sprouts Farmers Market1440 Airline Road9 a.m. - 6 p.m.35. Homewood Residence Retirement Center6410 Meadowvista Drive 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.8. Driscoll ISD (Cafetorium)410 W. Ave. D8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Nov. 236. Kiko’s Mexican Food Restaurant5514 Everhart Road 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.37. Naval Air Station Corpus Christi Commissary10801 D St., Building 337 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.41. Garden Senior Center5325 Greely Drive 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.* Berlanga Community Center1513 Second St.Agua Dulce8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

A. Nueces County Courthouse 901 Leopard St. B. Corpus Christi Area Council for the Deaf5151 McArdle RoadC. Ethel Eyerly Senior Center654 Graham RoadD. Greenwood Senior Citizens Center4040 Greenwood DriveE. Hilltop Community Center11425 Leopard St. * Johnny S. Calderon County Building710 E. Main St.* Nueces County Bishop Community Center102 W. Joyce St. F. Padre Isles Country Club Laguna Room14353 Commodores Drive* Port Aransas Civic Center ComplexCouncil chambers710 W. Ave. A* Banquete ISD adminis-tration building4339 Fourth St.G. Corpus Christi City Hall First floor utility section1201 Leopard St. H. Corpus Christi ISD administration building801 Leopard St. I. Del Mar College administration building101 Baldwin Blvd. J. Flour Bluff ISD maintenance building2505 Waldron Road* London ISD Middle School1306 Farm-to-Market Road 43K. Robstown ISD administration building801 N. First St.L. Tuloso-Midway ISD administration building9768 La Branch St.M. West Oso ISD administration building5050 Rockford Drive

*Not mapped

NUECES COUNTY EARLY VOTING LOCATIONSHoursOct. 22-26 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.Oct. 27 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.Oct. 28 Noon - 5 p.m.Oct. 29-Nov. 2 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

MOBILE EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS

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FEDERAL

PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT

❑ Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan (R)❑ Barack Obama and Joe Biden (D)❑ Gary Johnson and Jim Gray (L)❑ Jill Stein and Cheri Honkala (G)

U.S. SENATOR

❑ Ted Cruz (R)❑ Paul Sadler (D)❑ John Jay Myers (L)❑ David B. Collins (G)

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 27

❑ Blake Farenthold (R)❑ Rose Meza Harrison (D)❑ Corrie Byrd (L)❑ Bret Baldwin (I)

STATE AND JUDICIAL

RAILROAD COMMISSIONER

❑ Christi Craddick (R)❑ Dale Henry (D)❑ Chris Kennedy (G)❑ Vivekananda (Vik) Wall (L)

RAILROAD COMMISSIONER, UNEXPIRED TERM

❑ Barry Smitherman (R)❑ Jaime O. Perez (L)❑ Josh Wendel (G)

JUSTICE, SUPREME COURT, PLACE 2

❑ Don Willett (R)❑ RS Roberto Koelsch (L)


❑ John Devine (R)❑ Tom Oxford (L)❑ Charles E. Waterbury (G)


❑ Nathan L. Hecht (R)❑ Michele Petty (D)❑ Mark Ash (L)❑ Jim Chisolm (G)

PRESIDING JUDGE, COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

❑ Sharon Keller (R)❑ Keith Hampton (D)❑ Lance Stott (L)

JUDGE, COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS, PLACE 7

❑ Barbara Parker Hervey (R)❑ Mark W. Bennett (L)


❑ Elsa Alcala (R)❑ William Bryan Strange, III (L)

MEMBER, STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, DISTRICT 2

❑ Laurie J. Turner (R)❑ Ruben Cortez, Jr. (D)❑ Lenard Nelson (L)

STATE SENATOR, DISTRICT 18

❑ Glenn Hegar (R)


❑ Raul Torres (R)❑ Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D)

STATE REPRESENTATIVE, DISTRICT 32

❑ Todd Hunter (R)


❑ Connie Scott (R)❑ Abel Herrero (D)

CHIEF JUSTICE, 13TH COURTOF APPEALS DISTRICT

❑ Roy Valdez (D)

JUSTICE, 13TH COURT OF APPEALSDISTRICT, PLACE 2

❑ Tom Greenwell (R)❑ Nora Longoria (D)


❑ Bradford M. Condit (R)❑ Nelda Vidaurri Rodriguez (D)


❑ Doug Norman (R)❑ Gina M. Benavides (D)

NUECES COUNTY

DISTRICT JUDGE, 28TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

❑ Doug Mann (R)❑ Nanette Hasette (D)


❑ Jack W. Pulcher (R)❑ José Longoria (D)


❑ Missy Medary (R)❑ René C. Flores (D)

DISTRICT ATTORNEY, 105TH JUDICIAL DISTRICT

❑ James Sales (R)❑ Mark Skurka (D)

JUDGE, COUNTY COURT-AT-LAW NO. 3, UNEXPIRED TERM

❑ David Stith (R)❑ Deeanne Galvan (D)

COUNTY ATTORNEY

❑ Laura Garza Jiménez (D)

SHERIFF

❑ Jim Kaelin (R)❑ Isaac Valencia (D)

TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR

❑ Kevin Kieschnick (R)❑ Alex Garcia Jr. (D)

COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT 1

❑ Mike Pusley (R)❑ David Torres (D)

COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT 3

❑ Richard H. Mitchell (R)❑ Oscar O. Ortiz (D)

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PRECINCT 1, PLACE 1

❑ Amanda Torres (R)❑ Joe Benavides (D)


❑ Janice Stoner (R)❑ Joel Stanley Mumphord (D)


❑ Robert “Bobby” Gonzalez (D)

CONSTABLE, PRECINCT 1

❑ David Garcia (R)❑ Robert “Bobby” Cisneros (D)


❑ Jerry C. Boucher (R)


❑ Jack E. Caughman (R)❑ Jimmy Rivera (D)


❑ Robert W. Sherwood (R)


❑ Frank Flores III (D)

CITY OF CORPUS CHRISTI

MAYOR

❑ Nelda Martinez❑ Chris N. Adler❑ Josey Wales❑ Ray Madrigal

CITY COUNCIL, AT-LARGE (THREE POSITIONS)

❑ John A. Sendejar❑ Lillian Riojas❑ Alicia G. Benavides❑ David Loeb❑ John Garcia❑ Mark Scott

CITY COUNCIL, DISTRICT 1

❑ Kelley Allen


❑ Chad Magill❑ Brian Rosas


❑ Priscilla Leal❑ Jesse Noyola


❑ Colleen McIntyre❑ Jano Andrasik❑ Webster Pell


❑ Rudy Garza Jr.❑ John Valls

PROPOSITION NO. 1

$55 million for streets ❑ For ❑ Against

PROPOSITION NO. 2

$1.75 million for City Hall improvements ❑ For❑ Against

PROPOSITION NO. 3

$4.75 million for City Service Center improvements ❑ For❑ Against

PROPOSITION NO. 4

$16 million for Parks & Recreation Department ❑ For❑ Against

PROPOSITION NO. 5

$2.34 million for museum and library improvements ❑ For❑ Against

PROPOSITION NO. 6

$820,000 for public health improvements ❑ For❑ Against

PROPOSITION NO. 7

$700,000 for public safety improvements ❑ For❑ Against

PROPOSITION NO. 8

$8.4 million for economic development projects ❑ For❑ Against

DEL MAR COLLEGE

REGENT, AT LARGE

❑ Ramiro “Gambi” Gamboa❑ Larry White❑ Sandra Longoria Messbarger❑ Herbert Schueneman

REGENT, DISTRICT 1

❑ Gabe Rivas❑ Abel E. Pérez Sr.

REGENT, DISTRICT 3

❑ Elva Estrada

BANQUETE ISD

TRUSTEE, AT-LARGE (FOUR POSITIONS)

❑ Lilly Nash❑ Tracy N. Wright❑ Missy Chambless❑ Nanie Chapa❑ Jose “Angel” Arce❑ Ofelia T. Pena❑ Aaron Ramon

CORPUS CHRISTI ISD

TRUSTEE, AT-LARGE (THREE POSITIONS)

❑ Guillermo “Willie” Perez❑ Jane D. Bell❑ Tony C. Diaz❑ Patty Harris❑ Bill Clark❑ Marcus Sorenson❑ John Marez❑ Drusilla Knight-Villarreal❑ Hector “Coach” Salinas❑ Joe Cavazos Jr.

TRUSTEE, DISTRICT 2

❑ Lucy Rubio

FLOUR BLUFF ISD

TRUSTEE, PLACE 1

❑ Steve Ellis

TRUSTEE, PLACE 3

❑ Dan Suckley

TRUSTEE, PLACE 6

❑ Richard Pittman❑ William (Bill) Prather

TRUSTEE, PLACE 7

❑ Wade Chapman

LONDON ISD

TRUSTEE, AT-LARGE

❑ Gayle Neessen❑ Carter Green❑ Trent Hoffman❑ Javier Huerta

ROBSTOWN ISD

TRUSTEE, PLACE 1

❑ Rene Vela, Jr.❑ Jesse Rojas III❑ Oscar M. Lopez❑ Diana Castro Rubio

TRUSTEE, PLACE 2

❑ Ronnie Salinas❑ Pablo Avila❑ Eva Elizondo Orona

TRUSTEE, PLACE 3

❑ Richard Gonzalez❑ Jessica Lynn Esquivel❑ Victor C. Hernandez

TRUSTEE, PLACE 4

❑ Marcos Alaniz❑ Heath Garcia❑ Smiley (May) Gonzalez

PROPOSITION NO. 1

$12.5 million for building improvements ❑ For❑ Against

TULOSO-MIDWAY ISD

SCHOOL TRUSTEE, PLACE 1

❑ Kimberly Johnson❑ Zulema Samaniego


❑ Paul Mostella


❑ Felix Landin Jr.

WEST OSO ISD

TRUSTEE, AT-LARGE (FOUR POSITIONS)

❑ Liz Gutierrez❑ Martha Ruiz❑ Velma Rodriguez❑ Cella Boyd❑ Shirley Jordon

TRUSTEE, AT-LARGE, UNEXPIRED TERM

❑ Lucas C. Jasso

SOUTH TEXAS WATER AUTHORITY BOND ELECTION

PROPOSITION NO. 1

$1.9 million for relocation of water line ❑ For❑ Against

PROPOSITION NO. 2

$2.925 million for Kingsville pump station improvements ❑ For❑ Against

PROPOSITION NO. 3

$375,000 for Bishop pump station improvements ❑ For❑ Against

NUECES COUNTY DRAINAGE DISTRICT NO. 2

COMMISSIONERS (THREE POSITIONS)

❑ Ernest Gallegos❑ Pete Maldonado❑ Daniel Trevino❑ Mario Gracia❑ Sam Santos❑ Rosie Ruiz❑ Carlos Pena❑ Jesse Rojas❑ Celestino “Pingo” Ramos❑ Donald Havelka

Get ready to voteUse this sample ballot to mark your choices, speeding up your voting time on Election Day.

Sample ballotELECTION

2012

Nueces County elec-tion admin-istrators are encouraging early voting so voters can avoid lines like this outside Grant Middle School in 2010.MICHAEL ZAMORA/CALLER-TIMES FILE


Precinct 1 First Presbyterian Church (activities building), 430 S. Carancahua St.Precinct 2 Windsor Park Elementary School (music room), 4525 S. Alameda St.Precinct 3 The Lakes Masters Association, 7502 Venice DrivePrecinct 4 Kostoryz Elementary School (music room), 3602 Panama DrivePrecinct 5 Hamlin Middle School (cafeteria), 3900 Hamlin DrivePrecinct 6 Ethel Eyerly Community Center, 654 Graham RoadPrecinct 7 Oak Park Recreation Center, 842 Erwin Ave.Precinct 8 Barnes Elementary School, 2829 Oso ParkwayPrecinct 9 Calallen Middle School (maintenance office), 4602 Cornett RoadPrecinct 10 Nueces County ESD No. 4, 6271 Farm-to-Market Road 666, BanquetePrecinct 11 Agua Dulce county building, 1514 2nd St., Agua DulcePrecinct 12 Banquete ISD, 4339 Fourth St., BanquetePrecinct 13 Irma V. Romero Elementary School, 122 W. Ave. H, RobstownPrecinct 14Luehrs Junior High School, 717 E. 6th St., BishopPrecinct 15 The People’s Baptist Church, 1355 Farm-to-Market Road 665Precinct 16 London Middle School, 1306 Farm-to-Market Road 43Precinct 17 Smith Elementary School, 6902 Williams DrivePrecinct 18 Ronnie H. Polston County Building, 10110 Compton RoadPrecinct 19 Port Aransas Civic Center Complex, (Council Chambers) 710 W. Ave. A, Port AransasPrecinct 20 Galvan Elementary School, 3126 Masterson DrivePrecinct 21 Kiwanis Recreation Center,

3933 Timon Blvd.Precinct 22 Petronila Elementary School (cafeteria), 2391 County Road 67, RobstownPrecinct 23 River Hills Baptist Church, 16318 Farm-to-Market Road 624, RobstownPrecinct 24 West Oso Junior High School, 754 Flato RoadPrecinct 25 Leona Schroeder Community Building, 6923 Farm-to-Market Road 1833, RobstownPrecinct 26 Grace Presbyterian Church, 6301 Yorktown Blvd.Precinct 27 Driscoll ISD (cafetorium), 410 W. Ave. D, DriscollPrecinct 28 St. Anthony Catholic Church-Violet, 3918 County Road 61, RobstownPrecinct 29 Jones Elementary School, 7533 Lipes Blvd.Precinct 30 Oveal Williams Senior Center, 1414 Martin Luther King DrivePrecinct 31 Fire Station No. 3, 1401 Morgan Ave.Precinct 32 Blanche Moore Elementary School, 6121 Durant DrivePrecinct 33 Evans Elementary School, 1315 Comanche St.Precinct 34 Our Lady of Mount Carmel Mission, 1080 S. Clarkwood RoadPrecinct 35 Lotspeich Elementary School, (cafeteria), 1000 Ruben Chavez Road, RobstownPrecinct 36 Bishop Primary School, 705 W. Main St., BishopPrecinct 37 Johnny Calderon County Building, 710 E. Main St., RobstownPrecinct 38 Brooks Chapel A.M.E. Church, 2101 N. Port Ave.Precinct 39 Fire Station No. 3, 1401 Morgan Ave.Precinct 40 Island Presbyterian Church, 14030 Fortuna Bay DrivePrecinct 41 Bonilla Plaza, 2727 Morgan Ave.Precinct 42 Peerless Cleaners, 2758 Santa Fe St.

Precinct 43 Travis Elementary School (cafeteria), 3210 Churchill DrivePrecinct 44 Zavala Senior Center, 510 Osage St.Precinct 45 George Wiggins Homes (recreation center), 2320 Buford St.Precinct 46 Antonio Garcia Arts & Education Center, 2021 Agnes St.Precinct 47 Ben Garza Gym, 1815 Howard St.Precinct 48 Korean Presbyterian Church, 4326 McArdle RoadPrecinct 49 Scott Vetters Scout Hut, 3221 McKinzie RoadPrecinct 50 Lindale Senior Center, 3133 Swantner DrivePrecinct 51 Gibson Elementary School, 5723 Hampshire RoadPrecinct 52 Oak Park Elementary School, 3801 Leopard St.Precinct 53 Houston Elementary School, 363 Norton St.Precinct 54 Ortiz Intermediate School, 208 E. Ave. H, RobstownPrecinct 55 Irma V. Romero Elementary School, 122 W. Ave. H, RobstownPrecinct 56 La Armada (Boys & Girls Hall), 1455 Southgate DrivePrecinct 57 Del Mar College (administration building), 101 Baldwin Blvd.Precinct 58 Menger Elementary School, 2401 S. Alameda St.Precinct 59 Incarnate Word Academy (lobby), 2910 S. Alameda St.Precinct 60 Lozano Instructional Education Center, 650 Osage St.Precinct 61 Shaw Elementary School, 2920 Soledad St.Precinct 62 Metro E (Wynn Seale Middle School main entrance), 1707 Ayers St.Precinct 63 Parkway Presbyterian Church, 3707 Santa Fe St.Precinct 64 Wilson Elementary School

(cafeteria), 3925 Fort Worth St.Precinct 65 Montclair Elementary School (music room), 5241 Kentner St.Precinct 66 Fire Station No. 7, 3722 S. Staples St.Precinct 67 Kaffie Middle School, 5922 Brockhampton St.Precinct 68 Lindale Senior Center, 3133 Swantner DrivePrecinct 69 Baker Middle School, (room 45), 3445 Pecan St.Precinct 70 Legacy Home Health Center (conference room), 5633 S. Staples St.Precinct 71 South Park Middle School (cafeteria), 3001 McArdle RoadPrecinct 72 Hicks Elementary School, 3602 McArdle RoadPrecinct 73 Fannin Elementary School, 2730 Gollihar RoadPrecinct 74 Cunningham Middle School (cafeteria), 4321 Prescott St.Precinct 75 Crockett Elementary School (front foyer), 2625 Belton St.Precinct 76 Pete Roel Enterprize, 501 S. Port Ave.Precinct 77 Lozano Instructional Education Center, 650 Osage St.Precinct 78 West Oso Elementary School, 1526 Cliff Maus DrivePrecinct 79 Driscoll Middle School, 3501 Kenwood DrivePrecinct 80 John F. Kennedy Elementary School, 1102 Villarreal RoadPrecinct 81 Padre Isles Country Club, 14353 Commodores DrivePrecinct 82 Fire Station No. 9, 501 Navigation Blvd.Precinct 83 H-E-B Tennis Center, 1520 Shely St.Precinct 84 Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center, 5151 McArdle RoadPrecinct 85 Allen Elementary School (front lobby), 1414 18th. St.Precinct 86 Incarnate Word Academy

(lobby), 2910 S. Alameda St.Precinct 87 Berlanga Elementary School, 4120 Carroll LanePrecinct 88 Second Baptist Church, 6701 S. Staples St.Precinct 89 Corpus Christi Worship Center, 5732 Kimbrough DrivePrecinct 90 Fire Station No. 11, 910 Airline RoadPrecinct 91 MG Building Materials, 7406 S. Padre Island DrivePrecinct 92Cullen Middle School (main hallway), 5224 Greely DrivePrecinct 93 Water Utility Building (conference room), 2726 Holly RoadPrecinct 94 Calk Elementary School (cafeteria), 4621 Marie St.Precinct 95 Ss. Cyril & Methodius Church (Kasper Hall), 3210 S. Padre Island DrivePrecinct 96 Norton Street Church of Christ, 3001 Norton St.Precinct 97 Rosas Garage, 4462 Dinn St.Precinct 98 Moody High School (foyer main entrance), 1818 Trojan DrivePrecinct 99 Oak Park Elementary School, 3801 Leopard St.Precinct 100 Fire Station No. 12, 2120 Rand Morgan RoadPrecinct 101 Tuloso-Midway High School (choir room), 2653 McKinzie RoadPrecinct 102 Luehrs Junior High School, 717 E. 6th St., BishopPrecinct 103 Tuloso-Midway Middle School (main lobby), 9768 LaBranch St.Precinct 104 Lotspeich Elementary School (cafeteria), 1000 Ruben Chavez Road, RobstownPrecinct 105 San Pedro Elementary School (cafeteria), 800 W. Ave. D, RobstownPrecinct 106 Tom Browne Middle School (cafeteria), 4301 Schanen Blvd.Precinct 107 Magee Elementary School,

4201 Calallen DrivePrecinct 108 Nueces County Airport, 3983 Wings Drive, RobstownPrecinct 109 King High School (main hall), 5225 Gollihar RoadPrecinct 110 Hilltop Community Center, 11425 Leopard St.Precinct 111 LULAC West Apartments (community room), 10702 Interstate 37Precinct 112 Schanen Estates Elementary School, 5717 Killarmet DrivePrecinct 113 Garcia Elementary School (cafeteria), 4401 Greenwood DrivePrecinct 114 St. John’s Baptist Church, 5445 Greenwood DrivePrecinct 115 Club Estates Elementary School, 5222 Merganser DrivePrecinct 116 Elliot Grant Middle School, 4350 Aaron DrivePrecinct 117 Flour Bluff High School (auditorium), 2505 Waldron RoadPrecinct 118 Tabernacle of Praise Church, 5918 Kostoryz RoadPrecinct 119 Fire Station No. 14, 5901 S. Staples St.Precinct 120 Woodlawn Elementary School (cafeteria), 1110 Woodlawn DrivePrecinct 121 Yeager Elementary School (cafeteria), 5414 Tripoli DrivePrecinct 122 Flour Bluff ISD (maintenance department), 2510 Waldron RoadPrecinct 123 Annaville Elementary School (cafeteria), 3901 Cliff Crenshaw DrivePrecinct 124 Cimarron Senior Apartments, 2802 Cimarron Blvd.Precinct 125 Mireles Elementary School, 7658 Cimarron Blvd.Precinct 126 Chapman Ranch Gin, 1726 County Road 6, Chapman RanchPrecinct 127 London Middle School, 1306 Farm-to-Market Road 43

Nueces County Election Day polling locations


Our Voice...Our RepresentativeCONNIE SCOTT

Connie

SCOTTState Representative, District 34

ConnieScottforNuecesCounty @VoteConnieScott (361) 884-8734 [email protected]

www.voteconniescott.com

In 2010 the voters of District 34 ushered in refreshing change,replacing a career politician ranked the second most liberalmember of the House with a new representative who worksacross party lines to get things done for you and your family:Connie Scott.

� �� retirement benefits.

� �� predecessor, eliminating a $27 billion budget shortfall��

� �� voting for a two-year moratorium on high-stakes testing soteacher can get back to teaching and children can learn.

Connie Scott is an independent voice for our area:

Trusted. Tested. True. Connie Scott for State Representative

I didn’t run for this office because I need a job orwant a title, but because we need common senseleadership willing to make the hard decisions forfamilies trying to get by. We can’t afford to keepspending money we don’t have on programs wecan’t afford. I ask for your vote on November 6so we keep spending under control, and continueto create opportunity for small businesses.

Political Advertising Paid for by Connie Scott Campaign, Rose Cavada Garza, TreasurerCAL103985


State House District 34


Of all the races on the Nueces County ballot this election, few provide an element of revenge like the race for state House Dis-trict 34.

In 2010 the voters chose Re-

publican Connie Scott over three-term incumbent Democrat Abel Herrero.

Now, Herrero is back as Scott’s challenger in a fight to reclaim part of the Coastal Bend delega-tion for the Democratic Party, which took a beating in the 2010 midterms.

Scott’s seat survived a conten-

tious redistricting process in the 2011 Legislature on its merits as a minority-opportunity seat, which means the seat is designed to give minority voters a fair op-portunity at electing the candi-date of their choice.

But to do that, they must show

Familiar faces square off again


House District 34 candidate Abel Her-rero believes that while the voters got what they wanted in the 2010 election, they might not like what they got.

Herrero, who held the seat for three terms before losing to Republican Con-nie Scott, said he is ready to reclaim it for those who most need him — the poor and elderly and public school students of west-ern Nueces County.

“This year is going to be different,” he said. “Unlike in 2010, now my opponent has a voting record. You can see for your-self and gauge in terms of what the district needs.”

Herrero said his first priority will be to fix some of the problems Scott helped create, both in school funding and health care programs for children and the elderly.

“Health care is critical to a large part of the population, but with seniors spe-cifically, Scott voted against increasing the reimbursement rate for Medicaid, and now physicians are refusing those patients,” he said.

To reverse it, he said he will work to increase reimbursement rates for doc-tors and find a way to expand benefits for working families.

Herrero said he recently met a single mother with two jobs and two kids who cannot afford health insurance but who at least is hoping to get it for her kids.

“I give her credit,” he said. “She’s a

strong person who is working hard and risking her own health to provide oppor-tunities for her family, but she needs better access to health care.”

But while he wants to reverse Republi-can efforts in Austin last session, he also looks forward to creating better oppor-tunities by supporting small business job growth and educational opportunities.

Critical to that is resisting the constant pressure to continue raising rates on Texas Windstorm Insurance Association policy premiums, he said.

“We need to come up with solutions that don’t discriminate against coastal homeowners,” he said. “We share the risk, burden and expense of catastrophes statewide.”

Herrero and his wife, Matilda, have five children.

Herrero:Health care will be key


Republican state Rep. Connie Scott wants to finish what she started in 2010, when she defeated Abel Herrero for the state House 34th District seat.

Now on the back end of her first term in Austin, Scott said she still believes there is plenty of room for good government in Austin rather than politics, something she makes no bones about disliking.

“I’d like to have another opportunity where I’m not just a terrified freshman and go back to Austin knowing what to expect,” she said. “A lawmaker’s first term is enlightening at times, terrifying at others, rewarding and disappointing.”

She said she stayed grounded by fo-cusing on the needs of her district.

“If a lobbyist or a member of the dis-trict came to our office at the same time, we’d bump the lobbyist,” she said.

Scott said she is less interested in popularity than she is with working to bring government spending under con-trol, painful though it may be.

“Government has gotten way out of hand, and given the $27 billion deficit (last session), we couldn’t pull anything out of thin air,” she said. “That’s serving with honesty, straightforwardness and integrity.”

She said while Herrero has promised more funding for education and Med-icaid, making good on those promises might be tougher than anyone realizes.

“I think voters want honesty, not po-

litical statements and grandstanding,”she said. “Not to mention the fact thatAbel will be walking into a Republican-controlled Legislature.”

A former single mother of two whocan remember coming up short monthafter month, Scott said in an era of deficit spending, honesty is a valuablecommodity.

“We’re still looking at having to limit government spending — there are many ways we can cut back to pro-vide the dollars we need for health care — but we will have to do more with less,” she said.

Scott, former executive director ofBay Area Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse, is married to Mike Scott, whoowns H&S Constructors, a refinery contracting business. They have fourchildren.

ABEL HERREROAGE: 42PARTY: DemocratOCCUPATION: LawyerPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: State representative District 34, 2005-11; Robstown City Council, 1999-2003; Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority board; Coastal Bend Council of Governments; Nueces County Parks board; Nueces County Civil Service board; Robstown Improvement Development Corp.

I’ll work for everyone, not just a powerful few. I’ll reduce

standardized testing and class sizes. I’ll restore reimburse-ments so more doctors can treat seniors on Medicaid. And I’ll fight against windstorm insurance rate increases. If I’m elected, the people will know they have someone who’s on their side.”

Scott has unfinished business

CONNIE SCOTTAGE: 50PARTY: RepublicanOCCUPATION: State representative District 34POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: State representative District 34, 2011 to present; vice chairwoman Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority board

I am an independent voice who puts principles first. I

am committed to improving public education, econom-ic growth, job creation, fixing windstorm insur-ance issues and living within our means. I will vote to end high-stakes testing and work for the Coastal Bend. I don’t care who gets credit.”

37

181

77

SPID

HOUSE DISTRICT 34

See DISTRICT 34, Page 30


KEVIN KIESCHNICKAGE: 40 PARTY: RepublicanOCCUPATION: Tax assessor-collectorPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Corpus Christi city councilman, 2008-2012; Nueces County tax assessor-collector, January to present

Since taking office we have: created a dedicated dealer

work process eliminating a 2.5 week backlog in transactions and a $792,000 backlog in revenue; currently implementing new training, policy and procedure for all departments; performed audits of and seeking prosecution of suspect activity. I want to complete what’s started.”

By Julie [email protected] 361-886-3627

The tax assessor-collector plays an administrative role in coun-ty government that often can be overlooked.

But the office is responsible for the lines at the Nueces County Courthouse to register vehicles or pay property tax-es, and some residents have had to wait an hour for service.

Both candidates for tax assessor-col-lector this year say they have ideas on how to keep the lines moving.

At the end of 2011, after more than 20 years in office, former tax assessor-collector Ronnie Canales took a job with the Nueces County Appraisal District. Two men with backgrounds in finance and banking are running for the seat: Democrat Alex Garcia and Republican Kevin Kieschnick.

In January, the Nueces County Com-missioners Court appointed Kieschnick to fill in through the end of the year,

when Canales’ term ends, in a 3-2 vote with the Republican members of the court voting in favor of Kieschnick.

Garcia, who has owned local su-permarkets and worked for mortgage companies, said he’s big on customer service.

He’d like to extend office hours from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. every day, or at least once a week.

“We have to be there when our tax-payers get out of their jobs,” Garcia said. “When they’re standing there in line, they’re usually losing some kind of in-come, and that hurts us all.”

Kieschnick, who has been in bank-ing 12 years and sold cars to get himself through college, said his long-term goal is to create another office where it’s easy for residents to come and go.

It would have extended hours such as from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. or 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

He also plans to replace some full-time workers with part-timers who have more flexible hours and can be sched-uled to work during peak hours.

Long lines draw focus ALEX GARCIA JR.AGE: 57PARTY: DemocratOCCUPATION: Commercial lenderPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Corpus Christi city councilman, 1997-99; Nueces County Democratic Party chairman, 2006-08

My qualifications stem from having worked as a mort-

gage banker respon-sible for servicing mortgage loans, managing property taxes, escrows and quality control. Being a former owner of six businesses and manager of multi-million-dollar Wal-Mart /H-E-B plus! stores afforded me the experience of budgeting, training, accountability and value of customer service.”

Tax assessor-collector

For 32 years, I served withintegrity as your Friend inBlue on the police force.

You can trust me to beon-call and on-the-job asyour Commissioner.

David Torreswww.GoDavidGoPct1.com

DAVID TORRESfor Nueces County Commissioner

Early Voting: Oct 22 – Nov 2Election Day: November 6

CAL103973

Political ad paid for by the David Torres Campaign Fund,Hon. Betty Jean Longoria, Treasurer, P.O. Box 10384 CC TX 78460


Bee

JimWells

CorpusChristi

Gulf ofMexico

HOUSEDISTRICT 43HOUSEDISTRICT 43

State House District 43

By Rhiannon [email protected] 361-886-3694

In the campaign for House District 43, Republican incumbent J.M. Lozano and Democratic challenger Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles must convince voters they have better plans for dealing with the region’s two most pressing issues: school finance and Eagle Ford Shale development.

Lozano and Gonzalez Toureilles agree public school finance needs to be fixed after the $5.4 billion cut last legis-lative session, but the candidates have different solutions for restoring funding.

Lozano, who said he voted against the 2011 budget because of the educa-tion cuts, said lawmakers should take a hard look at revenue from the Texas Lottery and from oil and gas explora-tion to ensure it goes to public schools, as intended, and not the general fund.

He also suggested revising public school funding formulas that he said unfairly hurt poor rural schools, such as the embattled district in his hometown, Premont. The district is a case study in

Competing visions offered


Democrat Yvonne Gonzalez Tou-reilles, 41, spent six years in the state Legislature before she was ousted in 2010 during a national Republican takeover.

She’s hoping her experience and former legislative accomplishments will sway voters in November as she campaigns against freshman lawmak-er J.M. Lozano, a Republican, to rep-resent the newly created District 43.

Her campaign message: Remind voters of the successes she had as a three-term lawmaker in District 35 representing two of the counties, Jim Wells and Bee, now in District 43.

Those include bringing $500,000 to Coastal Bend College for a mobile nursing lab, and expanding tax ex-emptions for the agricultural industry when she served as chairwoman of the House Agricultural and Livestock Committee.

“I’ve had a lot of legislative accom-plishments, and I know how to chair a

committee,” she said. “I brought home real money and real dollars.”

The challenge is introducing her-self to voters, particularly those in Kleberg and San Patricio counties, who may be unfamiliar with her vot-ing record.

Lozano, a former Democrat, seeks to paint her as a liberal who is part of a national Democratic Party that at-tacks Christians, the Catholic Church and anti-abortion agendas.

Gonzalez Toureilles rejected the left-wing label, pointing out that, as a Texas Democrat, she is much more moderate than Washington Demo-crats.

She said she is a Catholic mother and a champion for families and chil-dren.

“I voted for children and public educa-tion and teachers, but I also voted against increasing taxes,” she said. “I voted against the business franchise tax; I voted to decrease your property taxes. I voted my district, and that’s the real difference between me and my opponent.”

Toureilles lives in Alice with her husband, Marc, and her two children.

Gonzalez Toureilles seeks returnYVONNE GONZALEZ TOUREILLESAGE: 41 PARTY: DemocratOCCUPATION: LawyerPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: State representative, District 35, 2004-10; Permanent Judicial Commission for Children and Families, 2008-11

I am the most experienced

candidate in the race for District 43. I previously served three terms in the Texas House of Representatives and served as chairwom-an of the Agriculture Committee. I understand the issues important to the district. I have a reputation for working diligently to get things done.”


While incumbent J.M. Lozano’s party switch may be old news in political cir-cles, the freshman lawmaker still is talk-ing about it with voters months into the House District 43 campaign.

Lozano, 32, has been going door-to-door in the newly created district, talking to some who have never voted Republi-can, about what he stands for and why those values led him to leave the Demo-cratic Party in March.

As a freshman Democrat, he support-ed the sonogram law requiring doctors to describe the fetus to women seeking abortions and allow them to hear the heartbeat. That support, among other decisions he made, alienated him from his party, he said.

He wants voters to know that, as a na-tive of small-town Premont, he shares their anti-abortion conservative social values. He argues that his opponent, for-mer state Rep. Yvonne Gonzalez Tou-

reilles, a Democrat, espouses a liberal agenda.

“I don’t want to just win this election. I want to have an overwhelming victory so that South Texans can now have a choice,” he said. “I want to make sure they know there are people with conservative values, and they do exist, and they come in all shapes and sizes. And I love that I’ve been able to begin that dialogue.”

While Gonzalez Toureilles, a three-term lawmaker, has campaigned as being the more experienced candidate, Lozano pointed to his support from big name Re-publicans such as Gov. Rick Perry and At-torney General Greg Abbott as evidence of his clout.

Lozano said as a Republican backed by party leaders, he would be more effective and able to get more things done for his district than a Democratic lawmaker.

Lozano said it has been his goal, since he was a child, to represent the area in which he grew up.

“This is a lifelong dream,” he said.Lozano lives in Kingsville with his

wife, Abby, and their three children.

Lozano: Switching parties was vitalJ.M. LOZANOAGE: 32PARTY: RepublicanOCCUPATION: Small-business ownerPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: State representative, District 43, 2010-present; Kingsville Economic Development Council

South Texans deserve a state representative who

will stand up for our values in the Legislature. I’m a pro-life, pro-jobs small- business owner with a conservative voting record. In Austin, I will continue to support great schools, strong families and our way of life.”

See DISTRICT 43, Page 29


Nueces County Precinct 1 commissioner

FROM DOWNTOWN TO NORTH BEACH, WEST TO CALALLEN


Mike Pusley edged out Com-missioner Peggy Bañales in 2008, taking 50.4 percent of the votes in Precinct 1.

Serving his first term, Pus-ley said he was surprised at how long it takes to complete projects and the amount of pa-perwork each commissioner sees.

Pusley has focused on proj-ects such as cleaning up Hazel Bazemore Park and improv-ing technology at the county. He’s also working on a 48-acre sports complex near Tuloso-

Midway High School.“It takes a very long time

to get anything done,” Pus-ley said. “Projects and work-ing through interlocal agree-ments, those kinds of things are a challenge.”

He said the county still has work to do on drainage.

Also while in office, Pusley said he’s worked with the Com-missioners Court to balance the budget without laying off employees or cutting employee benefits.

He took heat earlier this year during redistricting dis-cussions that centered around four voting precincts. Demo-crats said the revised map was

biased against Hispanics.Recently, Pusley said his

district is almost exactly the same as it was when the court started the redistricting pro-cess.

Pusley, an information

technology manager, gradu-ated from Miller High School in 1969. He has a bachelor’s degree in geology from Tex-as A&M University-Corpus Christi. He and his wife, Nor-ma, have two children.

Incumbent Pusley aims to keep edge


In the decades David Torres spent with the Corpus Christi Police Department, he said he was the one asked to fix problems no matter who was chief. That’s exactly the role he hopes to play on the Nueces County Commissioners Court.

A retired police command-er who now owns a small business providing security guards and investigation, Tor-res moved to Corpus Christi in 1977 to attend Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. He then joined the police force

and served in the northwest-ern part of the city.

“It led me to appreciate bi-partisanship philosophy be-cause a lot of people just want to be heard,” Torres said. “It seems like people are very tired of local government.”

If elected, Torres said his company would not put in bids on county- or port-related con-tracts.

Torres said there’s a lack of communication between the city and county, and the two entities should do more to-gether to consolidate services.

The county could use an operational audit, where each department’s mission and

number of staff are analyzed, Torres said. He’d also like to put together an employee in-centive program to reward those who report waste, abuse and inefficiency.

“When it comes to financial issues, I am very conserva-

tive,” Torres said. “You have to be when dealing with public money.”

Torres has a bachelor’s de-gree in criminal justice from Texas A&M University-Cor-pus Christi. He is married with two children.

Torres wants to fix county government

DAVID TORRESAge: 56Party: DemocratOccupation: Owner of security business, retired Corpus Christi police commanderPolitical experience: None

Being a full-time commissioner that is responsive to the entire precinct,

regardless of where you live or what party you belong to, and has the courage to bring positive results through an open and fair government will be my No. 1 priority.”

MIKE PUSLEYAge: 61Party: RepublicanOccupation: Part-time division information technology managerPolitical experience: County commissioner Precinct 1, 2009-present; Corpus Christi Planning Commission, 2001-2007; Corpus Christi Storm Water Advisory Committee, 1997-2001; Tuloso-Midway ISD board of trustees, 1986-1994.

I bring over 25 years of experience, in both elected and appointed posi-

tions, to our community. This, along with my over 35 years of business experience, provides me with a unique and valuable background for not only dealing with county issues, but also working with other entities to represent taxpayers.”

The Nueces County Precinct 1 commissioner represents a diverse area that stretches from downtown Corpus Christi to North Beach and west to Calallen. The commissioner is one of five members of

the Commissioners Court, which approves the budget and sets policies for governing the unincorporated areas of the county.County government in Texas also is responsible for the district court system and

the county jail. The salary for the position is about $70,000, and the commissioner serves a four-year term.

Julie Silva

the broken school finance sys-tem, he said.

Gonzalez Toureilles, the daughter of a retired teacher, said lawmakers should con-sider alternative revenue streams, such as allowing casino gambling or slot ma-chines, to fix school funding. She said she believes voters, especially those in South Tex-as, would support gambling in the state.

“A lot of people go out of town and go out of state to gamble. … We need to have that business here locally,” she said.

When it comes to the Eagle Ford Shale, both Lozano and Gonzalez Toureilles have served on the House Energy Resources Committee, which oversees matters related to the production and regulation of oil and gas.

Gonzalez Toureilles said, if elected, she would work to ensure that counties where drilling is taking place are getting back their fair share in revenue to fix roads and in-frastructure.

In Bee County, some oil and gas companies voluntarily pay more to the road and bridge fund so the county’s roads are kept in good shape, she said. That’s the kind of innovative thinking she would like to consider for other counties, too.

Lozano said he would work to make sure drilling and ex-ploration continue in the state and fight any efforts to stop it, noting his opposition to fed-eral proposals to list a lizard species in the shale area as en-dangered or threatened.

“I’m fighting for thousands of jobs, not for lizards,” he said.

District 43 is a largely rural district that includes Bee, Jim Wells, Kleberg and San Patri-cio counties.

State representatives serve two-year terms and earn $7,200 per year, plus a per diem during legislative ses-sions.

State House

DISTRICT 43from


With almost 18 years of ex-perience under his belt, Oscar Ortiz is running for another term.

Ortiz, the Precinct 3 com-missioner, is one of two Dem-ocrats on the five-member Commissioners Court, and he recently found himself in the minority in redistricting discussions Democrats said were unfair to Hispanics.

Still, he said, members of the court usually are on the same page and work to-gether.

“I think we represent all of the county,” Ortiz said. “Nine-

ty percent of the time we all vote the same.”

To thrive, Nueces County

needs to attract a younger de-mographic, Ortiz said. County residents are getting older,

and more people are turning 65 and getting tax exemptions, which means fewer taxes are being paid.

The answer, he said, is to develop tourism and business.

Ortiz said his precinct has a lot of infrastructure needs, especially with Interstate 69 planned. Though the project is overseen by the Texas Depart-ment of Transportation, the county still has to pay for a por-tion of the construction costs.

“County roads may not be as intensely traveled as others, but you still have to get your crops to market,” Ortiz said.

Ortiz has a bachelor’s de-gree in sociology from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi.


A retired property apprais-er, Richard “Dick” Mitchell knows how local government is funded, and he wants to get it under control.

“There’s got to be an adult on that court somewhere,” said Mitchell, a Republican.

Mitchell questioned ex-penditures such as the $50,000 spent to inspect the old county courthouse and the $14,000 spent monthly to lease a building that houses records. The building leaks when it rains.

This is his third attempt to unseat incumbent Democrat

Oscar Ortiz.“I just don’t like the way

money is being spent at the

Nueces County Courthouse,” Mitchell said. “It’s not their money. They’re just stewards

of it.”He disagreed that the com-

missioners’ need discretion-ary funds, calling it a slush fund and saying that the tax-payers need that money more than the court does.

While Mitchell agreed the county needed a new show barn, he thinks the county shouldn’t have spent so much money on the Richard M. Borchard Regional Fair-grounds.

He suggested the county keep the show barn and give the baseball field to the Tex-as A&M System.

Mitchell has a bachelor’s degree in history from Tex-as A&M University-Corpus Christi.


Nueces County Precinct 3 commissioner

OSCAR ORTIZAGE: 61PARTY: DemocratOCCUPATION: County commissionerEXPERIENCE: County commissioner Precinct 3, 1994-present.

I have represented Nueces County for the past 18 years. I have seen to it

that all areas of Nueces County are fairly represented. I have represented diverse cross sections of Nueces County, geographi-cally and demographically. I know the county, the cities in this county and the unincorporated areas.”

The Nueces County Precinct 3 commissioner represents much of central Corpus Christi west to include Robstown, Banquete, Agua Dulce and Driscoll. The commissioner is one of five members of

the Commissioners Court, which approves the budget and sets policies for governing the unincorporated areas of the county. County government in Texas also is responsible for the district court system as well as the

county jail. The salary for the position is about $70,000, and the commissioner serves a four-year term.

Julie Silva

CENTRAL CORPUS CHRISTI AND WEST

Ortiz brings experience to court

Mitchell plans to slash county costsRICHARD MITCHELLAGE: 63PARTY: RepublicanOCCUPATION: Retired from Nueces County Appraisal DistrictPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

I understand that all county funds belong to the citizens. The power to

tax should only be used to meet the necessary requirements of government. My background in ad valorem appraisal and my knowledge of county government prove me the best choice for county commissioner.”

State House

up and vote.Herrero and Scott both

were uncontested in this year’s primary, and Scott’s primary vote total of 4,210 was down by 300 compared with 2010.

Meanwhile, Herrero’s primary numbers surged from 4,038 in 2010 to 5,302 this year, suggesting he is primed for a comeback.

But in a presidential elec-tion year with a solid sup-port base and ample cam-paign cash, Scott will be no pushover.

She reported $206,000 in donations between Jan. 1 andJune 30 and had almost that much available to spend, while Herrero, who pulled in less than $39,000 in the same period, had about $25,000 available to spend.

The largely rural District 34 covers all of western Nueces County including Agua Dulce, Banquete, Bish-op, Robstown, Driscoll and Petronila and also encom-passes precincts in central, north, northwest and South-side Corpus Christi.

Whether it be Herrero or Scott, the district represen-tative must be ready to fight for the education, employ-ment and health care needs of some of the poorest com-munities in Texas.

According to the lat-est census figures, median household income in Rob-stown was $30,500, almost $20,000 below the state av-erage, while nine of every 100 residents older than 25 held a college degree.

State representatives serve two-year terms and earn $7,200 per year plus a per diem during legislative sessions.

DISTRICT 34from Page 26


Nueces County district attorney

Nueces County sheriff

By Michelle [email protected] 361-886-3716

The Nueces County district attorney can-didates share plans for domestic violence pro-grams and easing a case backlog, but they differ in management strategies.

The district attorney leads an office of more than 60, including about 40 prosecutors and 20 support staff. The office handles the prosecution of misdemeanor and felony cases in Nueces County.

Democratic incumbent Mark Skurka was elected to the top spot two years ago after beating Anna Ji-

menez in the 2010 special election. He took office Nov. 23, 2010, and started making changes.

He said he streamlined the intake process to help with the case backlog and incorporated a driving while intoxicated pro-gram in the courts.

Skurka plans to imple-ment a domestic violence partnership to assist the women involved. He also plans to add a detective within the office and to give prosecutors raises.

Republican James Sales, a longtime pros-ecutor, is challenging Skurka.

Sales said the courts need more programs for cases, specifically

for family violence vic-tims. He also said the district attorney’s office needs to maintain a bet-ter relationship with the Corpus Christi Police De-partment, which will help with the case backlog.

Sales said he would prosecute eight to 10 trials a year and would leave the administrative duties to the first as-sistant. He also said he would give prosecutors more freedom to deter-mine a defendant’s pris-on sentence in sentenc-ing recommendations and plea deals.

The four-year posi-tion pays about $125,000 a year plus a $12,000 county supplement.

DA hopefuls differ on management strategies

By Steven [email protected] 361-886-3602

A two-term incumbent and a longtime police lieu-tenant with more than half a century of law enforcement experience between them will face off in November in the Nueces County sheriff’s race.

Jim Kaelin, 70, is the Re-publican incumbent who has served as sheriff since 2007.

His opponent is Isaac Valencia, 53, of the Corpus Christi Police Department.

The sheriff’s office over-sees about 330 full- and part-time employees.

The office has a budget of about $18.6 million with about $12.5 million allocated

for the county jail.Duties include maintain-

ing and running the jail, overseeing courthouse se-curity and enforcing laws outside the city limits within Nueces County. The posi-tion’s annual salary is about $78,000.

One of the biggest issues in the race is whether to consolidate the county jail. With a city detention cen-ter and a county jail, Corpus Christi residents essentially pay twice for the same ser-vice.

Kaelin said he has a plan to expand the jail using ex-isting infrastructure and the county annex, while Valencia pledges to take a hard look at jail consolida-tion and work to make it a reality.

Another issue is whether sheriff’s deputies are doing enough. Some have called for the ability to use radar on roadways to catch speed-ing motorists. That requires funds for calibrated speed-ometers, radar guns and as-sociated training.

Kaelin has said he would rather have deputies patrol rural neighborhoods look-ing for crime and leave traf-fic enforcement to other agencies. Valencia has said he’s open to re-evaluating the office’s distribution of manpower.

Kaelin has received the endorsement of the Corpus Christi Police Officers As-sociation, while Valencia received the endorsement of the Nueces County Deputy Sheriff’s Association.

Race pits experienced foes

JAMES SALESAGE: 45PARTY: RepublicanOCCUPATION: Assistant district attorney for Bee, Live Oak and McMullen countiesPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

Ten years as gang prosecu-tor despite multiple death

threats proved my dedication to this community. I will repair the credibility of the district attorney’s office, which has taken an unprecedented hit with the judiciary, community and law enforcement. Corpus Christi Police Officers Association gave me their endorsement for a reason.”

MARK SKURKAAGE: 52PARTY: DemocratOCCUPATION: Nueces County district attorneyPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Elected district attorney in 2010 special election

I am experienced, dedicated and qualified. I

have been a prosecutor for 25 years, am board certified in criminal law and have prosecuted numerous cases, including capital murder. As district attorney for the past two years, I have provided leadership, integrity and justice to the citizens of Nueces County.”

JIM KAELINAGE: 70PARTY: RepublicanOCCUPATION: Nueces County sheriffPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Sheriff, 2007 to present

I am the only candi-date running for the

office of sheriff who has a proven record of service: cleaned up the county jail, returned federal inmates, and have saved our county taxpayers over $15 million. I said I would make you a good sheriff and I have.”

ISAAC VALENCIAAGE: 53PARTY: DemocratOCCUPATION: Corpus Christi police lieutenantPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

Our jails are over-crowded and law

enforcement is understaffed, yet we’re paying twice as much as we should to fund two jails — taxpayers need relief, not broken promises. My 29 years of experience at CCPD equip me to lead the sheriff’s office. It’s time for a change in com-mand!”


A vote for

BILL CLARKis a vote for FINANCIAL

RESPONSIBILITY.The annual operating budget of the Corpus Christi Independent School District is

$321,668,278. That is a lot of money. We need Trustees on the School Board who aretrained in finance and understand how to get the most efficient use of our tax dollars.

Bill Clark is that man. Not only has he been a well-respected two term Trustee for 8 years,Bill is also a taxpayer advocate. Bill Clark understands how to use fiscal responsibility to

improve educational opportunity.

HE CERTAINLY DESERVES YOUR VOTE ON NOVEMBER 6.▸ President, Corpus Christi Independent School District▸ Treasurer, Nueces County Dispute Resolution Services▸ Past Chairman PTA Audit Committee, Meadowbrook Elementary School▸ Past Chairman PTA Audit Committee, Cullen Middle School▸ Past President, King High School Football Booster Club▸ Past Chairman CCISD Athletic Advisory Group▸ Co-Chairman, CCISD Master Facility Plan, Ancillary Sites Action Team▸ Past President, Pharaoh Valley Neighborhood Association▸ Past Director, Al Amin Shrine Temple

BILL CLARKRe-ElectFOR C.C.I.S.D. BOARD OF TRUSTEES

AT LARGE - NOVEMBER 6CAL104001Political Advertisement paid for by Bill Clark.


13th Court of Appeals

One chief justice and five oth-er justices preside over the 13th Court of Appeals, which handles all civil and criminal cases ap-pealed from the lower courts except death penalty cases.

Justices serve six-year terms and earn about $137,500 annu-ally.

The court serves 20 coun-ties and has offices in Corpus Christi and Edinburg.

The counties served are: Aransas, Bee, Calhoun, Cam-eron, DeWitt, Goliad, Gonza-les, Hidalgo, Jackson, Kenedy, Kleberg, Lavaca, Live Oak, Matagorda, Nueces, Refugio,

San Patricio, Victoria, Whar-ton and Willacy.

Three places are up for the November election. State Dis-trict Judge Tom Greenwell, a Republican, and Democrat Nora Longoria, an attorney in McAllen, are vying for the open Place 2 seat. Republican

attorney Brad Condit is chal-lenging Justice Nelda Rodri-guez, a Democrat, for Place 4. Democratic incumbent Gina Benavides is being challenged by Republican prosecutor Doug Norman for Place 5.

Michelle Villarreal

Three places in court up for election

NORA L. LONGORIAAGE: 47PARTY: DemocratOCCUPATION: AttorneyPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

After representing people from all

walks of life in our court-rooms for over 20 years, I will bring the necessary combina-tion of education, experience, wisdom, and integrity, which led my fellow lawyers and judges of the 20 county area to select me as most qualified in the State Bar poll.”

Place 2

Place 4

BRADFORD M. CONDITAGE: 59PARTY: RepublicanOCCUPATION: LawyerPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

Currently 95 percent of court decisions are reviewed on an abuse of discretion

standard, which is not law. This unpredictable, non-law standard gives too much power to judges to ignore the law and decide cases based on their personal opinions. I will strictly follow and apply the law as written.”

NELDA VIDAURRI RODRIGUEZAGE: 58PARTY: DemocratOCCUPATION: 13th Court of Appeals JusticePOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Appointed municipal court judge, 1990-92, Title IV-D Court Master judge for Hidalgo County, 1992-95; elected 13th Court of Appeals justice, 1995-present

I have worked hard as your senior justice to consistently maintain one of

the most efficient dockets in the court. My focus has always been to dispose of cases promptly and efficiently, while making sound decisions that withstand scrutiny by the Texas Supreme Court and the Court of Criminal Appeals.”

TOM GREENWELLAGE: 56PARTY: RepublicanOccupation: State district judgePOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: 319th State District Court, 2003-present

I want to restore the reputation

that the 13th Court of Appeals once had. The court needs hard- working judges who will follow the law as written and administer justice equally, without regard to the judge’s personal or political beliefs. I will work hard to do achieve those goals.”

Place 5

GINA M. BENAVIDESAGE: 49 PARTY: DemocratOCCUPATION: 13th Court of Appeals justicePOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: 13th Court of Appeals Justice, 2007-present; Texas Access for Justice Commission board member, 2010

Since being elected in 2006, I have worked hard to make the 13th Court of

Appeals more efficient, effective, and accessible. I ask for your vote because I am qualified, experienced, and give South Texas a voice on important legal issues at both the state and national levels.”

DOUG NORMANAGE: 50 PARTY: RepublicanOCCUPATION: Assistant district attorneyPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

I have 25 years experience as an appellate attorney, more criminal law

experience than any other candidate, and a deep desire to bring the court back to a position of scholarship and respect. I am an Army veteran who believes in accountability and discipline, judicial restraint, and fair treatment.”


State District Court

Many of the high-profile cases a community remembers play out in state district courts.

When Selena Quintanilla Perez’s killer, Yolanda Saldivar, faced murder charges, it was in a district court.

District court judges preside over felony criminal cases in-cluding capital murder, man-

slaughter, robbery and assault. But the court also hears day-to-day cases such as divorce and civil matters involving $200 or more.

State District Judge Na-nette Hasette, a Democrat, is being challenged for the 28th District Court by Republican Doug Mann, a gang prosecutor

in the Nueces County District Attorney’s Office.

In the 214th District Court, Democratic Judge José Longo-ria is being challenged by Re-publican Assistant District At-torney Jack Pulcher.

In the 347th District Court, Democrat René Flores is chal-lenging Republican Judge Mis-

sy Medary, who has held the bench for about a year. She was appointed when Nelva Gon-zales Ramos became a federal judge.

District judges serve four-year terms and earn about $140,000 annually.

Michelle Villarreal

Judges will decide cases large and small

JOSÉ LONGORIAAGE: 69PARTY: DemocratOCCUPATION: State district judgePOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Elected presiding administrative judge of the Nueces County Council of Judges; appointed divert court judge

I have 11 years experience as presiding judge, handling over 15,000 cases. I am

a hard worker, handling thousands of high-profile cases without a backlog. I treat all litigants equally, with respect and courtesy. I have been making the hard decisions in important cases, with an outstanding appel-late record.”

214th District Court

MISSY MEDARYAGE: 48PARTY: RepublicanOCCUPATION: State district judgePOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Appointed 347th state district judge in 2011; appointed municipal court judge, 2003-11; previously appointed director of Corpus Christi Commission on Children and Youth

I am honest, fair and treat

everyone who comes into my courtroom with courtesy, dignity and respect. I have been an attorney for the past 23 years with 10 years of judicial experience. I have tried and presided over thousands of criminal, civil and family law cases.”

347th

RENÉ C. FLORESAGE: 48PARTY: DemocratOCCUPATION: LawyerPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

I’m the best qualified candi-

date with the most experience (over 19 years), having handled all types of cases court handles (family, civil and criminal), a Princeton University and University of California at Berkeley Law School graduate, and a former chief of litigation for Nueces County and assistant federal public defender.”

28th District Court

NANETTE HASETTEAGE: 52PARTY: DemocratOCCUPATION: State district judgePOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: State district judge, 1997-current

With 16 years of substantial judicial experience, I have disposed

of well over 15,000 jury and nonjury cases providing me the legal ability to interpret and apply the law to every possible factual situation. Through honesty, experience and hard work, I will continue to handle each case competently and fairly.”

DOUG MANN

AGE: 58PARTY: RepublicanOCCUPATION: Assistant district attorneyPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

I have tried cases of all kinds in the district courts and have served twice

as a felony prosecutor, including presently. I know how the criminal justice system works and will use that knowledge to both punish violent crime and reduce backlog and jail population.”

JACK PULCHERAGE: 43PARTY: RepublicanOCCUPATION: Assistant district attorneyPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

I stand for respect, professionalism and expertise in the 214th. I will

base decisions on facts and evidence as they are presented to the court and give both sides their chance to be heard and ruled. I will be hard on crime and give the 214th back to the taxpayer.”


Committed to bringing ethics, courtesy andprofessionalism back to the 214th District Court!

Endorsed by Corpus Christi Police Officer’s Association GPAC

Endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police

Prosecuted misdemeanor and felony cases for Nueces County

and presented over 30,000 cases to the Grand Jury

Graduate of Texas A&M College Station and South Texas College of Law

Assistant District Attorney since 1999

Endorsed by Corpus Christi Police Officer’s Associa

Endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police

VOTEJackJudgeFOR

Political Ad paid for by Jack Pulcher Campaign,

Celina Ybarbo Pulcher, Treasurer, P.O. Box 271876, CC, Texas 78427-1876

JackW.PulcherFor 214th District Court

CAL103975


State Board of Education

County Court-at-Law No. 3

By Elaine [email protected] 361-886-3794

A Gregory-Portland ISD educator and a Brownsville businessman will face off in the November election for the District 2 seat on the 15-member State Board of Education.

Republican Laurie J. Turner, a teacher at Gregory-Portland Junior High School, and Demo-crat Ruben Cortez Jr. will vie for the seat, which is up for grabs as longtime state board member Mary Helen Berlanga plans to retire this year.

Cortez won a runoff election in July against San Benito edu-cator Celeste Zepeda Sanchez.

Turner won the Republi-can race in the May primary against McAllen educator Ve-ronica Anzaldua.

Outgoing state board mem-

ber Berlanga, of Corpus Chris-ti, has served on the board since 1982. She is known for arguing for the inclusion of key parts of Texas history in textbooks, including the con-tributions of blacks, Hispanics and Spanish explorers.

The State Board of Educa-tion sets policies and curricu-lum standards for educational programs in the public school system and approves the cre-ation of new charter schools.

All 15 state board seats are up for election this year. That means once elected, each member will draw numbers to determine which seven will serve in two-year terms and which eight will serve in four-year terms, Texas Education Agency spokeswoman Debbie Ratcliffe said.

Board members don’t re-ceive compensation for serving in their elected positions, but

they receive reimbursement for travel expenses, she said.

District 2 serves an area that includes most of Coastal Texas, from Wharton County to Cameron County and parts of Hidalgo County.

In the past, the board has come under scrutiny for its dis-cussions and actions regarding school curriculum and text-books, particularly regarding Texas history.

The education commission-er, who leads the Texas Educa-tion Agency, helps administer state board policies through the education agency.

The Texas public school system is composed of 1,237 school districts and charter schools, more than 8,400 cam-puses, more than 659,000 edu-cational employees and more than 4.8 million students, ac-cording to the Texas Education Agency.

Slot opened by retirement RUBEN CORTEZ JR.AGE: 38PARTY: DemocratOCCUPATION: BusinessmanPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Former Brownsville ISD school board member Cortez did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

LAURIE J. TURNERAGE: 42PARTY: RepublicanOCCUPATION: EducatorPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

This campaign has been about our children and their futures. Our

education system offers one path: college-bound; but many of our students do not continue on to college. I propose to bring back and build up career-vocational certified education programs that will enable students to become productive citizens.”

County courts-at-law handle criminal misdemeanor cases, probate matters, mental compe-tency hearings and civil cases.

Judges serve four-year terms and earn about $139,000 annu-ally.

Former County Court-at-Law No. 3 Judge John Martinez resigned Nov. 7. His term runs through 2014.

In the November election, private practice attorney Dee-anne Galvan, a Democrat, is running to unseat Judge David Stith, a Republican, who was appointed and took over the bench in January.

Michelle Villarreal

Judges deal with criminal, probate, civil cases DAVID STITHAGE: 42PARTY: RepublicanOCCUPATION: County Court-at-Law judgePOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Elected presiding judge County Courts-at-Law; appointed County Court-at-Law No. 3 judge; appointed Nueces Coastal Parks Board commissioner

I know the law and apply it fairly to all parties. I don’t legislate from the

bench. I try to improve the way that our justice system runs by using new and innovative ideas and I will always remember that I work for the people of Nueces County.”

DEEANNE GALVANAGE: 50PARTY: DemocratOCCUPATION: LawyerPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Appointed Corpus Christi Municipal Court judge in 1999. Reappointed to second term.

I am experienced and fair. I hold a law degree from St. Mary’s University

and have been licensed 23 years. I am a former municipal court judge. I have handled thousands of cases, including civil litigation, criminal cases, probate cases, juvenile, guardianships and appeals; including many jury trials.”


School bonds

By Elaine Marsilio [email protected] 361-886-3794

Gregory-Portland ISD will ask voters in No-vember to approve a $30.4 million bond issue to re-place a 55-year-old elementary school, expand Austin Elemen-tary and build a new physical education and sports facility.

A new elementary in Greg-ory-Portland Independent School District would serve 600-700 students and replace the existing East Cliff Elemen-tary, which is close to its capac-ity of about 355 students and likely would be turned into administrative offices.

A new East Cliff in Portland would add fifth-grade students, who currently go to intermediate school. An expansion of Austin Elementary School in Gregory also would add fifth grade.

Superintendent Paul Clore said a new East Cliff would ad-dress safety and security con-cerns at the current East Cliff, where the campus has flooring with exposed rebar and rust-ing beams protruding from the ceilings.

The school also has limited electrical power and outside hallways, he said.

A similar bond for $30 million failed in 2008 for a new East Cliff, a replacement field house and infrastructure improvements, Clore said.

The November bond revis-its the idea of a new East Cliff and a physical education and all sports facility, and the need for them still is there, Clore said.

“It’s simply gotten more ex-tensive because we’re using more and more technology, and some of those safety issues are becoming more and more ap-parent,” he said.

Clore said he wants the com-munity to be informed about the November bond issue. The district website provides links to facility information outlining the district’s need for the bond.

A Friends of GPISD group,

which is an independent politi-cal action committee, started a Facebook page in support of the bond and has spoken at parent-teacher meetings about the issue.

Friends of GPISD President Jerry Browning Jr., who has three children in the district, said the district is in dire need of a new East Cliff.

“It is not salvageable from its current structure,” Brown-ing said. “It was built without safety and security features in mind.”

Gregory-Portland ISD parent Cherise Moreno, who started a Facebook page in opposition to the bond issue, said East Cliff needs to be replaced, but the campus should remain where it is so students aren’t uprooted and so the neighborhood can continue to have a nearby school.

“We’re always going to need our school there,” she said. “That’s why we bought our house. ... We don’t want to lose (our school).”

The district is looking at land near Meadowbrook Drive and Broadway Boulevard in Port-land for the new East Cliff.

Moreno said she has con-cerns with the proposed site

being near a Wal-Mart because of student safety. Browning said the proposed plan also has thenew East Cliff near a church, a day care and a subdivision.

A new physical education and sports facility would be built at Gregory-Portland High School and replace an existing field house at the current junior high, where two athletes typi-cally share a locker because oflack of space, Clore said.

The new facility would be open to athletes from all Greg-ory-Portland sports, he said.

The bond would not affect the district’s tax rate, Clore said. The overall district tax rate would remain at 1.35 cents per $100 valuation. Last year’s tax rate was 1.37 cents per $100 valuation.

Gregory-Portland asks for $30.4M bond


The restroom, including open stalls and urinals, of the junior varsity football team at Gregory-Portland High School is between the locker rooms of two other teams in the fieldhouse. The teams would receive new space if a bond passes in November.

FACILITY NEEDSGo to www.g-pisd.org, scroll to the bottom, and click on “Facility Meetings” to get information about the district’s facility study related to the November bond.


Voters will decide whether to spend $12.5 million to build new classrooms, a cafeteria and a li-brary at Robstown High School.

Robstown Independent School District will hold a bond election to replace the oldest areas of the high school campus. Preliminary plans call for a multistory building that could house the classrooms, cafeteria and library, but the district has not decided what would happen to the existing buildings.

The front offices, the newest section of the school, would be

left alone.If voters approved the bond,

tax rates could increase by 6 cents, from $1.61 per $100 valuation to $1.67 per $100 valuation. That means ahomeowner with a house ap-praised at $100,000 would pay $60 more per year. The 6-cent increase puts the district at its debt cap.

Even if the bond election passes, the district needs addi-tional funds to move forward with the renovation project, school board President Osvaldo Romero said.

The district would like to seek funding from a state pro-gram that helps school districts pay down debt on construction

or renovation of instructional facilities, but that program has not been funded again by the state Legislature.

The district also plans to seek funding from both state and fed-eral programs aimed at helping school districts with construc-tion costs and debt. Romero said he is confident the district, which has a large low-income population, will be able to access federal and state funding to help pay for the improvements.

School officials have said the renovations are necessary because the high school’s aca-demic classrooms, cafeteria and library are outdated, not as secure as newer schools and not energy efficient.

Robstown to vote on new school


Robstown High School students pass broken floor tiles as they change classes. Should voters approve the $12.5 million school bond in Novem-ber, the district plans to build a multistory building that could house the classrooms, cafeteria and library, but the district has not decided what would happen to the existing buildings.

■ Rubio faces no opponent in District 2 raceBy Elaine [email protected] 361-886-3794

After November’s election, newly elected CCISD trust-ees will join the district at a time when it is building a new Southside high school, ad-justing to state standardized testing changes and dealing with the Legislature’s adjust-ments to education funding.

Voters will decide who will serve in three Corpus Christi Independent School District at-large seats as well as its District 2 seat, which repre-sents much of the district’s Westside.

District 2 incumbent Lucy Rubio, who has served on the board for more than a decade, doesn’t have an opponent.

At-large incumbents Bill Clark, Tony Diaz and Guill-ermo “Willie” C. Perez are seeking re-election to their seats. They face challengers: community volunteer Jane

Bell; retired CCISD admin-istrator Joe Cavazos Jr.; Plano educator Patty Harris; retired teacher Drusilla Knight-Vil-larreal, outgoing city coun-cilman John Marez; teacher Hector “Coach” Salinas and physical therapist Marcus Sorenson.

CCISD trustees oversee the district’s $274.1 million budget, manage district poli-cies affecting the more than 38,000 students and approve new educational programs. The district has about 5,000 employees. About 2,400 of those are classroom teachers.

The district has started new projects, such as the construction of a new Carroll High School and the Harold T. Branch Academy for Ca-reer and Technical Educa-tion.

The new academy will be a magnet school for ninth- through 12th-graders, who will be selected for enroll-ment through a lottery sys-tem. The school will allow students to take career and technical classes, from court reporting to cosmetology, at

3 at-large seats to be decidedCCISD Board of Trustees


LUCY RUBIOAGE: 60OCCUPATION: Retired/public servantPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Corpus Christi Independent School District trustee in District 2, May 2000 to present; Nueces County Democratic Party chairwoman, 2008-2010

I possess the knowledge and experi-ence to get the job done. I have the

ability to attend meetings and make time for school functions. I do not have any special interests other than making sure proper resources are allocated so all students can feel safe and receive a quality education.”


Carroll High School students Sonal Ahuja, 16 (from left), Gabriel Garcia, 17, and mascots Stefani Soltero, 17, and Priscilla Chapa, 16, break ground on the new high school on Cimarron Boulevard on Monday. The new board of trustess will be in place while the district oversees the building of the first high school in Corpus Christi Independent School District in 45 years.See CCISD, Page 40

Board of Trustees District 2

CAL103138

Re-ElectGABE

RIVASDEL MAR BOARD OF REGENTS DISTRICT ONE

Pol. Adv. Pd. For by Gabriel Rivas for Del Mar Board of Regents Comm.

Joseph Rivas, Treas. P.O. Box 5065 Corpus Christi

Vote For Dedicated ServiceContinued CommitmentExperienced Leadership

CCISD trustees at-large


JANE BELLAGE: 57OCCUPATION: Community volunteer and former American Diabetes Association directorPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

CCISD is making positive steps in strengthening

curriculum, improv-ing facilities and focusing on stu-dents. We are better but can be excep-tional. A mother of four CCISD students and graduates, I am a voice and stake-holder to represent families. I aim to bolster the momentum of this progress for our community.”

JOSE CAVAZOS JR.AGE: 81OCCUPATION: Retired CCISD administrator; current Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi student teacher supervisorPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

The voters of CCISD should vote for me as I have 50

years experience as a teacher, vice principal and director of elemen-tary and secondary principals. Currently, I supervise student teachers for the university. I under-stand the needs of students, teachers, parents and taxpayers. I am fair, equitable and open-minded.”

BILL CLARKAGE: 61 OCCUPATION: AccountantPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Corpus Christi ISD trustee, 2004 to present

Our community can depend on my professional

experience in budget planning and implementa-tion to continue to bring fiscal respon-sibility and long-range planning to support programs and curriculum. My goal has always been to provide all students with a successful education that pre-pares them for their life choices.”

TONY DIAZAGE: 79OCCUPATION: Retired CCISD school administratorPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Corpus Christi Independent School District at-large trustee, 2008 to present; appointed to the board of MHMR of Nueces County; appointed to the Citizens’ Advisory Health Board

CCISD citizens should vote for me because I am the

incumbent with a proven record as being totally committed to ensur-ing all students ultimately graduate from high school. Additionally, I have 50 years experience as an educator, with a doctoral degree, who served as a teacher, counselor, principal and assistant superintendent.”More CCISD trustees candidates are on Page 40

CAL104023

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CCISD trustees at-large

PATTY HARRISAGE: 56 OCCUPATION: Plano educatorPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

Elect the most informed and objective candidates, who are passionate about

CCISD, its teachers/staff, students and student academic achievement. Too many board members only ‘serve’ to further their business network and to benefit from insider information. First runner-up to four current CCISD board members. Certified teacher and administrator.”

DRUSILLA KNIGHT-VILLARREALAGE: 61 OCCUPATION: Retired classroom teacherPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Appointed to the Texas Teachers’ Professional Practices Commission by Gov. Bill Clements; Appointed to the Texas Special Education Continuing Advisory Committee and the Texas Early Childhood Committee by Gov. Rick Perry

The school board is composed of seven members. Only two are professional

educators with classroom instruction and campus manage-ment experience. More educators, knowledgeable of school finance and budgeting, are needed to represent classroom teachers, campus administrators managing the overall learning environment and the taxpayers footing the bill.”

JOHN MAREZAGE: 40OCCUPATION: Texas Department of Family and Protective Services supervisorPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Corpus Christi city councilman, 2005 to present

I am a CCISD parent, graduate. I have visited each CCISD campus and known

their issues. City Councilman: the only candidate that has voted for balanced budgets. Reduced taxes, increased ethics rules. Currently active in CCISD: PTA, Watch DOGS, scouting and former mentor. Will bring stability to the school board.”

GUILLERMO ‘WILLIE’ C. PEREZAGE: 68OCCUPATION: Retired CCISD assistant principal and English teacherPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Corpus Christi Independent School District at-large trustee, 2008 to present

My community involve-ment would be my main

reason why I think people should vote for me. I arrived here in 1972.”

HECTOR ‘COACH’ SALINAS JR.AGE: 67 OCCUPATION: Teacher at Richard Milburn AcademyPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

I have over 40 years of experience working in the community

and (in) different levels of education — middle, high school and collegiate. I work well with parents, students and the community. I strongly advocate for educators: I am a teacher, and I understand the interests, concerns and issues we face.”

MARCUS SORENSONAGE: 34 OCCUPATION: Physical therapist, teacher and owner of Kingsville Home Rehab Services Inc.POLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

I am a father, husband, son, physical therapist,

local small-business owner, teacher, and I am very passion-ate about children and educa-tion. I am not a politician. I believe we need leaders with the highest integrity and ethical standards, especially regarding the future of our children.”

Del Mar College’s West Cam-pus.

The new Carroll high-school, projected to open in fall 2013, provides district

students with a program of choice, which is a key dis-trict goal outlined by current CCISD trustees.

The new school will be the district’s first new high school since 1967.

The school will help allevi-ate added growth on the city’s

far Southside. Trustees plan to review attendance zone changes as part of prepara-tions for the new Carroll, which is set to open in fall 2014.

Trustees also will continue to deal with the state’s stan-dardized testing system as

students and districts shift from the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills to the State of Texas Assess-ments of Academic Readi-ness, or STAAR.

In addition, administrators have discussed with trustees a hope that the Texas Educa-

tion Agency receives a waiver for provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act so state dis-tricts can have standardized testing standards that better align with state performance measures.

CCISD trustees serve in unpaid positions.

CCISDfrom Page 38


Del Mar College regents

The Del Mar College Board of Regents will face antici-pated cuts in state funding and potential changes to how colleges are funded in Texas after the Legislature convenes in January.

Newly elected Del Mar re-gents will be part of the discus-sion as to how the college will deal with projected funding

reductions or mandates.District 3 incumbent Elva

Estrada, who was elected in 2006, doesn’t have an oppo-nent.

District 1 incumbent Gabe Rivas III, who was appointed to fill a vacancy in District 1 in 2007 and elected in 2008, will face Abel E. Pérez Sr., a retired Navy distribution manager/

traffic manager.The at-large candidates are:

surgical radiologist/technolo-gist Ramiro Gambi Gamboa, retired school administrator Sandra Longoria-Messbarger, banker Herbert Schueneman, and retired process engineer Larry White.

Elaine Marsilio

Candidates face off in 3 races

RAMIRO GAMBI GAMBOA

AGE: 63 OCCUPATION: Surgical radiologist/technologistPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Current appointment to the Corpus Christi Human Relations Commission and previous appointments to the city’s Board of Adjustment, the Airport Board and the Watershore and Beach Advisory Committee

My experiences in serving in the

community and the boards I served on have given me the vital skills needed to be on the Del Mar Board of Regents. I feel that equal education should be available to all who seek to further their education.”

ABEL E. PÉREZ SR.

AGE: 62OCCUPATION: Retired Navy distribution manager/traffic managerPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

‘Leadership for difference’ is the

message I offer. I intend not just to lead, but to offer citizens of District 1 a more represen-tative and more impor-tantly responding to the Del Mar community. I pledge to be a standard-bearer of morals and values holding myself to higher ethical standards.”

GABE RIVAS III

AGE: 58 OCCUPATION: Photography business ownerPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Del Mar College Board of Regents District 1 regent, 2000-2006; appointed to fill District 1 vacancy, 2007-2008; Re-elected District 1 regent, 2008-present. Appointments to the City Sister Committee, the Landmark Commission and the Municipal Arts Commission.

Del Mar College will face many

challenges in the coming years. I have 12 years of experi-ence dealing with issues that affect the college. I don’t have a hidden agenda. My priorities are dealing with the issues that will benefit our students and being a good steward of taxpayers’ money.”

ELVA ESTRADA

AGE: 65 OCCUPATION: Retired school administratorPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Del Mar College Board of Regents, 2006-present

My educational background and my experience as a college regent have prepared me

for another term. Six years ago, I set goals for myself, and these goals have been accomplished. I have represented District 3 in a professional manner, and I will continue doing my best for Del Mar College.”

District 3

District 1

At-large

SANDRA LONGORIA-MESSBARGER

AGE: 68OCCUPATION: Retired schoolteacher/administratorPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: None

I have 32 years in public education and

school administration in South Texas, coupled with my deep affection for Del Mar College as my introduc-tion to higher education. Education is a continuing process, and I feel Del Mar College plays a major role in providing that continuation.”

LARRY WHITE

AGE: 62 OCCUPATION: Retired process engineerPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Appointed in 2011 to a three-year term on the Corpus Christi Ethics Commission

I have a passion for quality education. I

recently retired after 38 years as an engineer and have been a university professor. I’m active in diverse volunteer work. My whole family has attended Del Mar. I have the experi-ence, time and knowledge to well serve the board of regents.”

HERBERT SCHUENEMAN

AGE: 31 OCCUPATION: BankerPOLITICAL EXPERIENCE: Corpus Christi Community Improvement Corp./Loan Review Committee, September to present

I should be elected because of my

unique experience of having worked in both banking and politics. Del Mar College is an important institution to South Texas, and it needs leadership that understands both how to run efficiently and how to defend against decreasing funding from the state.”


Area ballots

FEDERAL

PRESIDENT AND VICE PRESIDENT

Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan (R)Barack Obama and Joe Biden (D)Gary Johnson and Jim Gray (L)Jill Stein and Cheri Honkala (G)

U.S. SENATOR

Ted Cruz (R)Paul Sadler (D)John Jay Myers (L)David B. Collins (G)


Blake Farenthold (R)Rose Meza Harrison (D)Corrie Byrd (L)Bret Baldwin (I)


Jessica Puente Bradshaw (R)Filemon Vela (D)Steven (Ziggy) Shanklin (L)

STATE AND JUDICIAL

RAILROAD COMMISSIONER

Christi Craddick (R)Dale Henry (D)Chris Kennedy (G)Vivekananda (Vik) Wall (L)

RAILROAD COMMISSIONER, UNEXPIRED TERM

Barry Smitherman (R)Jaime O. Perez (L)Josh Wendel (G)


Don Willett (R)RS Roberto Koelsch (L)


John Devine (R)Tom Oxford (L)Charles E. Waterbury (G)


Nathan L. Hecht (R)Michele Petty (D)Mark Ash (L)Jim Chisolm (G)

PRESIDING JUDGE, COURT OF CRIMINAL APPEALS

Sharon Keller (R)Keith Hampton (D)Lance Stott (L)


Barbara Parker Hervey (R)Mark W. Bennett (L)


Elsa Alcala (R)William Bryan Strange III (L)

JUSTICE, 4TH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT, PLACE 2

Marialyn Barnard (R)Baldemar Garza (D)


Rebecca Simmons (R)Patricia Alvarez (D)


Steve Hilbig (R)Luz Elena Chapa (D)


Karen Angelini (R)David D. Towler (D)


Phyllis J. Speedlin (R)Rebecca C. Martinez (D)

MEMBER, STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION, DISTRICT 2

Laurie J. Turner (R)Ruben Cortez, Jr. (D)Lenard Nelson (L)

MEMBER, STATE BOARD OF

EDUCATION, DISTRICT 3

David M. Williams (R)Marisa B. Perez (D)


Glenn Hegar (R)


Raul Torres (R)Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa (D)


Grant Rostig (R)Judith Zaffirini (D)Joseph Morse (L)


Todd Hunter (R)


Connie Scott (R)Abel Herrero (D)


J.M. Lozano (R)Yvonne Gonzalez Toureilles (D)

CHIEF JUSTICE, 13TH COURT OF APPEALS DISTRICT

Roy Valdez (D)


Tom Greenwell (R)Nora Longoria (D)


Bradford M. Condit (R)Nelda Vidaurri Rodriguez (D)


Doug Norman (R)Gina M. Benavides (D)

ARANSAS COUNTY

DISTRICT JUDGE 343RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT

Janna K. Whatley (R)Richard D. Zapata (D)


Patrick L. Flanigan (R)

COUNTY ATTORNEY

Richard Bianchi (R)

SHERIFF

Bill Mills (R)Martin DeLeon (D)


Jeri D. Cox (D)

COUNTY TREASURER- UNEXPIRED TERM

Alma Tamburin Cartwright (R)

COUNTY COMMISSIONER, PRECINCT NO. 1

Jack Chaney (R)


Charles Smith (R)

See BALLOTS, PAGE 43

CAL103114

GarciaFor

County Tax Assessor Collector

POL. AD. PD FOR BY DR. HAYSAM DAWOOD, 4602 DAMASCUS, CORPUS CHRISTI, TEXAS, 78413

Early Voting Oct. 22-Nov. 2ndElection day Nov. 6

Jr

Alex

CAL103962

THANK YOU FOR YOUR VOTE!

Area ballots

COUNTY COMMISSIONER NO. 4- UNEXPIRED TERM

Betty Stiles (R)

JUSTICE OF THE PEACE, PRECINCT NO. 2- UNEXPIRED TERM

Diana Rinche-McGinnis (R)

CONSTABLE, PRECINCT NO. 1

Doc Thomas (R)


Charles Phillips (R)

BEE COUNTY

DISTRICT JUDGE, 343RD

JUDICIAL DISTRICT

Janna K. Whately (R)Richard D. Zapata (D)

DISTRICT ATTORNEY, 156TH

JUDICIAL DISTRICT

Jose Aliseda (R)

COUNTY ATTORNEY

Juan Eduardo Garcia (R)Mike Knight (D)

SHERIFF

Bill Lazenby (R)Carlos Carrizalez Jr. (D)


Linda G. Bridge (R)


Carlos Salazar Jr. (D)


Dennis D. Phipps (R)Eloy Rodrigues (D)


Lance S. French (D)


Clifford Bagwell (R)


Esequiel “Zeke” Ortiz

JIM WELLS COUNTY

DISTRICT JUDGE, 79TH JUDICIAL

DISTRICT

Richard C. Terrell (D)


Christina Z. Flores (R)Carlos Omar Garcia (D)

COUNTY ATTORNEY

Jesusa Sanchez-Vera (D)

SHERIFF

Oscar Lopez (D)


Mary C. Lozano (D)


Margie H. Gonzalez (D)


Richard “Dick” Miller (R)Oswaldo “Wally” Alanis (D)


Jesus “Chuy” Salinas Jr. (D)


Matthew “Mateo” Clark (R)Jim Long (D)


Frank Davila Jr. (D)


Robert Vasquez Sr. (D)


Bartolo V. Guajardo Jr. (D)

BEN BOLT-PALITO BLANCO SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE, PLACE 2-UNEXPIRED TERM

Zelda SaenzBEN BOLT-PALITO BLANCO SCHOOL

BOARD TRUSTEE, PLACE 4

Ronaldo RamirezRicardo “Rick” Torres

BEN BOLT-PALITO BLANCO SCHOOL BOARD TRUSTEE, PLACE 5

Noe Cadena


Daniel Bueno


Higinio Garcia

KLEBERG COUNTY

DISTRICT ATTORNEY, KLEBERG AND KENEDY COUNTIES

John T. Hubert (R)

COUNTY ATTORNEY

Delma Rios-Salazar (D)

SHERIFF

Richard Kirkpatrick (R)Edward “Ed” M. Mata Sr. (D)

COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR

Krystal Seidel (R)Melissa T. De La Garza (D)


David Rosse (R)Mario A. Mendietta (D)


Bill Allen (R)Roy Cantu (D)


Todd Burris (R)Albert Rene Cavazos (D)


Omar Rosales (D)


Cirildo “Cid” Zavala (D)


Amando O. Vidal (D)

SAN PATRICIO COUNTY

DISTRICT JUDGE 343RD JUDICIAL DISTRICT

Janna K. Whatley (R)Richard D. Zapata (D)


Patrick L. Flanigan (R)

COUNTY ATTORNEY

David Aken (D)

SHERIFF

Leroy Moody (D)

COUNTY TAX ASSESSOR-COLLECTOR

Dalia Sanchez (R)


Nina G. Trevino (D)


Randy Sikes (R)Alma Villareal Moreno (D)


Joe Gaitan (D)


Chris Nunez (R)Steve B. Garcia (D)


Pamela Haynes (R)


Juan C. Gonzales (D)


D.R. “Don” Perkins (R)Ron Howe (D)


Terry Gonzalez (D)

GREGORY-PORTLAND ISD

PROPOSITION NO. 1

$30.4 MILLION FOR FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS

ForAgainst


BALLOTSfrom


Polling places across the Coastal Bend will come to life Nov. 6 on Election Day.


CAL1

0395

9

FOR SHERIFF

CAL1

0395

9

ENDORSED BY NUECES COUNTY

SHERIFF’S ASSOCIATION

NUECES COUNTY COMBINED

LAW ENFORCEMENT GPAC

IsaacVALENCIA

BACHELORS DEGREE IN CRIMINOLOGY

& CORRECTIONS

MASTERS DEGREE IN STRATEGICLEADERSHIP

GRADUATE OF THE LEADERSHIPCOMMAND COLLEGE (LEMIT)

Pol. Ad Pd by Isaac Valencia Campaign Fund, Paul Shamoun CPA, Treas, P. O. Box 271411 Corpus Christi, Texas 78427

IT’S TIME FOR ACHANGE IN COMMAND!

www.vote4valencia.com

Dear Friends:

Our jails are overcrowded and law enforcement is

understaffed, yet we’re paying twice the taxes we should

to run two jails! Taxpayers need relief, not broken

promises!

The hard-working folks at the Sheriff’s office endorsed

me because my 29 years as a decorated veteran of the

CCPD equip me to set a new standard of leadership as

your next Sheriff.

It’s time for a Change in Command!

Vote Valencia!

caller-times 2012 election guide

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