New Cameron County Democratic Chair, Treasurer Move Quickly to Resuscitate Local Party

Amber Medina, Cameron
County Democratic Chair

Newly elected Cameron County Democratic Chair, Amber Medina, moved quickly to reorganize the local party in her first meeting as party chair.  Ms. Medina handed out printouts showing 60 vacancies among the 109 precincts in Cameron County.  That number was later reduced to 59 vacant precincts as the precinct chair for precinct 73 identified himself and proved he lived in the precinct.  The meeting was held at El Mercadito in a two room office beneath the historic Majestic Theater on Thursday, October 24th.

Ms. Medina had organized a Recruitment Committee that met the Friday before to devise a strategy to fill the empty precinct chairs. That committee is made up of Medina, Sergio Zarate, Teresa Saldivar, Jeff Duvall, Martin Sarkis and Mrs. Courier.

After opening remarks by Medina, Vice-Chair Carlos Masso raised the issue of precinct chairs he said had been illegally prevented from voting in the election of a county chair at the last meeting on

Carlos Masso, Vice-Chair

October 11th.  Masso was referring to Mayor Tony Martinez, who evidently had been the Precinct Chair in Precinct 38 before redistricting, but now lived outside the current precinct.  A young woman(Cindy Hinojosa?), who identified herself as a notary public in the law office of Gilberto Hinojosa, stated that she had informed Martinez before the meeting that, according to the VAN, he did not live in the precinct.  She said Martinez told her that "he would rather be sitting at home anyway."

Masso also mentioned a San Benito man, he thought might be named "Juan Ortega," who was in the same position as Martinez, wrongfully prevented from voting.  When informed that the man had not attended the last meeting, Masso agreed.

When Letty Perez-Garzoria asked Masso directly what he intended to do with his contentions, he said it was "up to the two gentlemen to challenge the rulings and he would leave that up to their discretion."

Next, the new treasurer, William Skaggs, informed the attendees: "People, we are broke.  We have $3,200 in the bank and I don't know what bills have been paid.  With 100 years of operating in this county, I was given only 6 bank statements.  I have a phone bill for the Democratic Party and a utility bill for Rudy Perez.  I will not pay any bill not directed to the Democratic Party."

At this point, former Chair Sylvia Garza-Perez, who arrived about 20 minutes late, said if the bills did not get paid "the phone and lights will be disconnected.  We've been paying these bills out of our own pocket.  P.U.B. would not allow the bill to be to the Democratic Party.  It had to be in someone's name."

Skaggs emphasized that he was instituting stricter controls, even stating that the bill from the Cameron County Election Office would be scrutinized for "bill stacking."  "I can assure you it's a different ball game," Skaggs stated.

Next, the new treasurer, spoke of the need to raise funds.  He suggested a surcharge of 20% of the filing fee for all candidates running as Democrats and a mandatory 10% donation from fundraisers back to the local party.  "They can't win without our support, so they need to support the party." Those proposals were accepted, provided they meet party rules and are worded appropriately.

Next, Medina raised the issue of a new meeting place.  "At least for a few months, until we get our affairs in order, we need a free venue.  This office costs us $375 per month.  Congressman Vela and Senator Lucio have offered us free space in their offices.  It was decided to use Lucio's office in a shopping mall on FM 802 as temporary meeting quarters with a view to finding a permanent office.  The idea of rotating the party meetings to various locations in the county was also discussed.

Sergio Zarate, President Obama

Chairperson Medina closed the meeting by naming Sergio Zarate as Sergeant At Arms and Mr. Matta as Outreach Coordinator.  The Cameron County Democratic Party's future monthly meetings will be held the first Saturday of each month at 10:00 AM.  The next meeting will be November 2 at the Office of Senator Lucio on FM 802.  There will be a fundraiser December 7.

Medina expressed the goal to have a complete list of Precinct Chairs by the next meeting, each with a picture and contact information.