How the Inbred, Self-sustaining Politics of Cameron County Hurts Our Community

Mary Esther Garcia
Candidate for Justice of the Peace,
Daughter of Sofia Benavides

The attractive young woman pictured at left, by all accounts personable, friendly and gracious, violates a very basic standard of ethics by seeking political office in Cameron County.  You see her mother Sofia Benavides is already a county official,  Precinct 1 County Commissioner.

"What's wrong with that?" you ask.  Well, it gives Mary Esther an unfair advantage over every candidate for Justice of the Peace 2-3 who does not have a relative in a county position.  Her mother can, and don't think she won't, use the power of her office to see to it her daughter gets elected.  In previous stories, Mean Mister Brownsville has shared reports of candidates forcing their staff to work long hours in their campaign in a clear violation of political ethics and their job description.







On June 20, 2012, we reported Armando Villalobos misuse of his staff for political purposes:

Armando Villalobos, Indighted Former
District Attorney

"Early into Villalobos' campaign for Congress, I was told by a spouse of a staff member that a portion of the DA staff were working up to 32 hours of their 40 hour work week on the congressional campaign.  If that is true, that is a theft of services paid for by Cameron County taxpayers.  Again, that includes the air-conditioned offices we pay for, the transportation we provide, the internet service, etc.  

Ironically, on the day of Villalobos indictment, as Armando left the Cameron County Courthouse, he was greeted by a "spontaneous" cluster of staff, wearing "Villalobos for Congress" orange t-shirts.  This was still during the workday so it can be assumed many of these staffers were on the clock.  The support for their boss on one of his worst days was touching on some levels, but not what we pay these county employees for.  If it was done on the clock, it was a theft of wage dollars from us."

Judge Elia Cornejo Lopez

Speaking of staffs, Judge Elia Cornejo-Lopez seems to have lost hers during the last campaign.  One alleged staffers offered this complaint: "She makes us work long hours on her campaign.  If anyone complains, she says "You're lucky I gave you a job!"  

Our November 21, 2012 story detailed how unethical County Clerk Joe Rivera had his staff selling fundraiser tickets in the halls of the courthouse, a clear violation of several standards of ethics:  

County Clerk Joe Rivera

"Cameron County employees sometimes find themselves in the quandary of being asked to do something by their public official/boss that is not work for the county, but instead is political activity for the public official.  Certainly, to refuse to fulfill the assignment might result in termination, but it is a collaborative theft nonetheless.  The employee is being paid by the taxpayer, not the politician.  Of course, the public official making such demands on his employees bears the heavier responsibility, orchestrating the theft from the taxpayers.

This blog recently detailed an incident involving employees working under County Clerk Joe Rivera selling raffle tickets/donations to his campaign in the halls of the county courthouse.  If these sales were being made on the clock, it is a theft.  If Joe Rivera required his taxpayer paid employees to make these sales on county time, he is a thief and should be terminated.  He should face prosecution and reimbursement to the county for the stolen work hours." 

A commenter to the blog elaborated on the point:  "Jim, this is not news. All staff members of the County clerks office are REQUIRED to either sell or purchase these tickets themselves. They are clearly told not to return unsold tickets. This action has been going on for at least the last ten years, possibly longer. Under threat of joining the unemployment line. Ask any of his staff. They hate it cause they usually get stuck with the tickets."

Cameron County has a culture of corruption where officeholders illegally use their staff in their re-election campaigns.  Do you really think they would not do the same to get a son, daughter or other relative elected?  That's why ethical standards exist; to create a somewhat level playing field.

Mary Esther Garcia should do the right thing, the ethical thing and withdraw from the JP race.  Her life has not been harmed or lessened in anyway because she is the daughter of a county official.  In fact, the taxpayer paid income afforded first her father and then her mother is well above the county average, giving her a superior lifestyle.  Mary Esther will have no trouble finding a job, just let it not be in county government.