TX HD 36: Flores’ Opponent Jumps On Jumps On HillCo/Perry Connections

Sandra Rodriguez, who is opposing State Rep. Kino Flores (D-Mission) in the race for the Democratic nomination in HD 36, released a press release today on the heels of the Texans for Public Justice Report concerning HillCo PAC and Bob Perry. It is below the fold.

According to a report released today from the non-partisan government watchdog group, Texans for Public Justice, State Representative Kino Flores was one of three Democratic supporters of Republican Speaker Tom Craddick to receive $10,000 from a millionaire Republican donor who used a third party PAC with close ties to the Speaker to obscure the source of the funds. (Full report: )

According to the report, 87% of HillCo PAC’s funds came from Bob Perry, a major Houston home-builder who gave over $6.7 million to political campaigns last election cycle and is a heavy promoter of a right-wing political agenda that includes school vouchers and tort reform. The report shows HillCo PAC funneled $30,000 divided evenly to Kino Flores and two other so-called “Craddick D’s,” the term commonly used for House Democrats who support the Republican Speaker. According to Texans for Public Justice, HillCo PAC is run by key Craddick Lieutenants and is known to be the primary conduit through which Perry provides campaign contributions to elected officials who walk lock-in-step with his agenda.

“Kino Flores needs to be up front with voters,” challenged Sandra Rodriguez, a former juvenile probation officer and public school teacher who is running against Flores in the Democratic Primary for House District 36. “Flores needs to stop the shell game and tell the voters where he is getting his money and what he is providing in exchange for these contributions.”

While Flores brags about his ties to Craddick, recent political events suggest that the Speaker is quickly losing his grip on power. Two former Craddick D’s announced their opposition to the Speaker, another announced his retirement and a fourth is challenging him for the Speaker’s seat. “Hidalgo County voters are demanding independent leadership we can trust, leadership that puts the Valley first,” Rodriguez added. “This is just one more sign that we are not getting that from the incumbent.”

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