GETTING TO THE BOTTOM OF THE ROBERT SANCHEZ CANDIDACY IN 2018 DEMOCRATIC PRIMARY

Duardo Paz-Martinez,
the Kim Jong Un of the
local blogosphere

A McAllen typer, whose erratic projectiles into the local blogosphere force locals into interior closets and garden sheds, has, once again, fired off an inaccurately-aimed gossip piece not getting even close to the target.

To be sure, Duardo Paz-Martinez is no Bob Woodward, rightfully not gainfully employed with any journalistic entity in two decades or so, not even the Bargain Book.

Duardo, who makes up the stories and headlines for an obscure blog named The Republic, created a masterpiece yesterday, titled "MORGAN CISNEROS GRAHAM IMPLICATED IN PLOT TO FRONT FALSE CANDIDACY AGAINST EDDIE TREVINO…"

Robert "Captain Bob" Sanchez

Since the "planted" candidate was purported to be Robert "Captain Bob" Sanchez, who faced incumbent County Judge Eddie Trevino in the 2018 Democrat primary, we endeavored to verify the story with the good captain.


"Did Cameron County Republican Chair Morgan Graham urge you to run against Eddie Trevino in the primary?" we asked.

"I went to a UTB candidate forum where Morgan Graham was nice to me.  We only talked for just a few seconds," Robert stated.

"Did anyone help you in your campaign?" I continued.

"Cris Valadez(Carlos Cascos's former assistant) assisted with social media promotions, no signs, no bumper stickers, nothing. No one set up debates," Robert explained.

"Did any Republicans give you money?" I asked.

Tad Hasse

"Tad Hasse(Republican candidate for SBOE) gave me $600 to help with the filing fee.($1,250).

"Filing fee. He is my friend. I have. Known him and his sister for decades and decades. He is advicer(sic) like Valadez, Roman Perez. Montoya. Paz, McHale. PUB Executives. former City Commissioners, Alex Dominguez and many other attorneys."

"Did Tad pay you with a check or cash?" I asked, but Robert failed to reply.

Robert did unload another gem: 

"Carlos Cisneros wanted money from vendors at PUB. And wanted me to get money from them for my vote and in exchange for Carlos voting me to board he wanted money. I went to District Attorneys office and reported him."

The only campaign finance report we could locate was a January 15, 2018 report filed late on February 9, 2018.  Not only did it NOT list the $600 campaign contribution by Republican Tad Hasse, it listed $0.00 contributions and $0.00 expenditures.  No campaign treasurer was listed.

The Texas Ethics Commission requirement:   

"A report must disclose the amount of each contribution or the value and nature of any in-kind contribution, as well as the name and address of the individual or political committee making the contribution, and the date of the contribution. (Detailed information about a contributor is not required to be reported if the contributor contributed $50 or less during the reporting period.)"

Any violation is a Class A misdemeanor.

So, it appears that Robert "Captain Bob" Sanchez was encouraged to run against Eddie Trevino as a Democrat, but not by Cameron County Republican Chair Morgan Graham, but by Carlos Cascos's longtime assistant, Chris Valadez, now working for a Portland, Texas entrepreneur, selling high-tech equipment to Mexican gas company.

Local Republican candidate Tad Hasse also provided, according to Sanchez, advice and a contribution of $600, that was not reported by Sanchez.

Certainly, no one expected Sanchez to actually defeat Trevino, but, possibly, just make him utilize funds, time and effort necessary to win a primary election.