More Than 100 South Texas Leaders Endorse Senator John Cornyn for Reelection
EDINBURG – More than 100 South Texas leaders endorsed Senator Cornyn today at a special Rio Grande Valley event. Individuals included county judges, mayors, commissioners, school board leaders, community activists, healthcare providers, business owners, agriculture representatives, property owners, law enforcement and border patrol officers, veterans, faith leaders and more. The senator was joined by many of the signatories (below) at a socially-distanced press conference. Participants spoke from the heart about the senator’s work – and his unique ability to reach across the aisle, even in contentious political times – and how he has delivered on critical issues for Texas’ border region.
| Richard Cortez, Judge, Hidalgo County Mayor Dr. Ambrosio Hernandez, City of Pharr Mayor Pro Temp Roberto “Bobby” Carrillo, City of Pharr Commissioner Dr. Ramior Caballero, City of Pharr Commissioner Daniel Chavez, City of Pharr Commissioner Ricardo Medina, City of Pharr Commissioner Itza Flores, City of Pharr Mayor Pete Saenz, City of Laredo Mayor Armando O’Cana, City of Mission Commissioner Beto Vela, City of Mission Commissioner Ruben Plata, City of Mission Mayor Ramiro Rodriguez, City of Palmhurst Mayor Jim Darling, City of McAllen Commissioner Victor “Seby” Haddad, City of McAllen Commissioner Javier Villalobos, City of McAllen Commissioner Omar Quintanilla, City of McAllen Mayor Rick Morales, City of Donna Commissioner Eloy Avila, City of Donna Mayor Alonzo Perez Jr, City of Elsa Commissioner Victor Hernandez, City of Elsa Mayor Sergio Coronado, City of Hidalgo Mayor David Suarez, City of Weslaco Mayor Henry Hinojosa, City of Mercedes Mayor Olga Maldonado, City of La Feria Mayor George Rivera, City of Palm Valley Commissioner Omar Quintanilla, City of McAllen Mayor Chris Boswell, City of Harlingen Mayor Pro Tem/Alderman Rick Cavazos, City of Los Indios Mayor Susie Houston, City of Laguna Vista Mayor Patrick McNulty, City of South Padre Island Former Mayor Barry Patel, City of South Padre Island Former Judge Rene Ramirez, Hidalgo County Former Judge Pete Sepulveda, Cameron County Former Mayor Ramsey English Cantu, City of Eagle Pass Former Mayor John David Franz, City of Hidalgo Trustee Julio Cerda, SISD Trustee Hector Rivera, SISD Trustee Jose “Pepe” Garcia, SISD Trustee Ricky Longoria, SISD Trustee Melissa Smith, SISD Former Trustee Dr. Noel Garza, SISD Trustee Tony Forina, MISD Trustee Marco Suarez, MISD Trustee Dr. Nolan Perez, HCISD Sheriff Marion Boyd, Dimmit County Sheriff Benny Martinez, Brooks County Sheriff Richard Kirkpatrick, Kleberg County Border Health PAC LIBRE Action Roger Rocha Jr., Latino Civil Rights Advocate/Community Leader for Texas Alonzo Cantu, Community Leader, South Texas Cindy Reyes Garza, Edinburg Steve Ahlenius, McAllen Hector Cerna, Eagle Pass Michael Scaief, San Benito Alex Meade, Pharr Pastor Eluid and Kathy Garcia, Mission *List at time of release, more to follow! | South Texans’ Property Rights Association PAC Whit Jones, Hebbronville Orthal Brand, McAllen Bret Erickson, SVP Business Affairs and J&D Produce Inc. Dante Galeazzi, Texas International Produce Association, Mission Webb Wallace, Harlingen Brian Jones, Edcouch Fausto Salinas, Sullivan City Mike Helle, Edinburg/McAllen Dale Murden, Harlingen Gustavo Martinez, Donna Rigoberto Villarreal, Mission Sasha Crane, McAllen Joaquin Spamer, McAllen Eddy Betancourt, McAllen Humberto Saenz, Pharr Martha Villarreal, Mission Saul Garcia, McAllen Hollis Rutledge, Mission Cynthia Leon, Mission Shelia Valles Pankratz, Mission Annette Franz, McAllen John David Jr. and Kathy Franz, McAllen Danny Rios, McAllen Sam Vale, McAllen David DeAnda, McAllen Val LaMantia, McAllen Tony Salinas, Hebbronville Rick Molina, San Antonio Guy Ellison, San Antonio Heriberto Ibarra Jr., Hebbronville IB Gutierrez Jr., Hebbronville Alice and Joe Mendoza, Kingsville Memo Trevino, Laredo Fred Farias, McAllen Rick Guerra, McAllen Nick Serafy, Brownsville David C. Garza, Brownsville Al Villarreal, Brownsville Jim Tipton, Brownsville Reba Cardenas McNair, Brownsville Nico Schaefer, Brownsville Ross Barrera, Rio Grande City Cornelio Garza, Rio Grande City Joel Garza, Historian, Rio Grande City Dario Garza, Land Developer, Rio Grande City Roel Reyes, Businessman, Rio Grande City Rolando D Pau, Retired Border Patrol Agent, Rio Grande City Mauro Villarreal, Navy Veteran, Rio Grande City Anita Garza-Dominquez, Retired Army Master Sergeant, Rio Grande City Norma Salinas, Retired Army First Sergeant, Rio Grande City Marissa Rodriguez, Retired School Paraprofessional, Rio Grande City Lucy Reese, Rio Grande City Toni Trevino, Rio Grande City Benito Trevino Jr., Rio Grande City Jaime Sr. and Lydia Saenz, Carrizo Springs Jaime Jr. and Ana Saenz, Carrizo Springs |
Working together with local leaders, Senator Cornyn has supported mitigation and flood control efforts throughout the Rio Grande Valley. He has secured millions to ensure South Texas levees are safe and adequate to protect communities when the next natural disaster strikes. Similarly, he’s worked on numerous efforts to boost transportation and infrastructure. Senator Cornyn is a leading voice in promoting robust cross-border trade, and was proud to support the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada-Agreement (USMCA) earlier this year.
At the event, Senator Cornyn discussed his support for schools, teachers and students. His GEAR UP for Success Act has sent millions to area schools to increase college and career readiness for underrepresented and low-income students. He also discussed his current efforts to ensure broadband internet access for students and families across Texas; a need exacerbated by COVID-19.
The senator also spoke about his support of DACA and commitment to pursuing fair, compassionate immigration reform. He emphasized the need to invest in virtual surveillance technology to bolster border security, recognizing the common goal – regardless of party affiliation – to put an end to human smuggling and drug trafficking across the border.
“I’m honored and humbled to receive the support of the leaders in this room today. We’ve accomplished a lot together, but we have more work to do and more principles to protect,” said Senator Cornyn.
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