To: Gilberto Hinojosa, Chairman of the State Democratic Party and Ric Godinez, Chairman of the Hidalgo County Democratic Party

A PETITION CONDEMING SUPPORT OF REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES

WHEREAS, the rules of the Texas Democratic Party (Art. I, B, 1.) require that no test of membership, nor oaths of loyalty, to the Texas Democratic Party shall be used if those oaths or tests would have the effect of requiring members of the Democratic Party to acquiesce in, condone or support discrimination based on race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and ethnic origin,

WHEREAS, the rules of the Texas Democratic Party (Art. II, H, 1 & 2) require the removal from office for endorsing opposing party or candidate and that 1. A Party Officer shall be removed from office if during the current term of office such officer publicly supports or endorses an opposing party or nominee of an opposing party, a person seeking the nomination of an opposing party, or a non-Democratic candidate seeking an office in an election in which candidates may file by party affiliation and a Democrat is seeking the office in question.

WHEREAS, the rules of the Texas Democratic Party (Art. II, H, 2) defines that the terms “publicly supports” and “endorses” shall include, but not be limited to, serving on a campaign committee; giving financial support, including contributing money or its equivalent such as equipment loans, services or supplies; willingly and knowingly allowing the officer’s name to be used in any kind of letter, public endorsement, news release, or advertisement; or actively soliciting votes by making a public appearance or a door-to-door solicitation of votes.

WHEREAS, JOSE EDUARDO “EDDIE” GUERRA, candidate for Hidalgo County Sheriff agreed to and appeared in three (3) campaign ads (Border Conviction, Fighting for Us, and True Conservative) for Barry Smitherman, Republican Candidate for Texas Attorney General.
WHEREAS, the advertisements in which JOSE EDUARDO “EDDIE” GUERRA appear state that President Obama has failed to secure the border, further alleging that it is “time to bring law and order to South Texas” and directly implied lawlessness and the need for harsh immigration reform.

WHEREAS, the advertisement Fighting For Us, states “Barry Smitherman sued Obama’s EPA seven (7) times” as Chairman of the Railroad Commission.

WHEREAS, the advertisement True Conservative, Barry Smitherman states “Four Years Ago, Rick Perry, Greg Abbott, and I sued President Obama. People said we couldn’t win. But we did.”

WHEREAS, the advertisement True Conservative states, “Constitutional Conservatives support Barry Smitherman because he will fight Obama’s radical liberal agenda...” and that as a “pro-Life Christian Conservative, Barry Smitherman is the only candidate endorsed by BOTH major Pro-Life groups.”

WHEREAS, according to Texas Ethics Commission (TEC) records, JOSE EDUARDO “EDDIE” GUERRA on November 2nd, 2013, made a contribution to Republican Candidate for Agricultural Commissioner Todd Staples when there were three (3) Democratic candidates on the ballot seeking the Texas Democratic Party’s nomination.
WHEREAS, the State Republican Party has passed strong resolutions calling for an end to sanctuary cities, removed a guest worker program, opposing the Dream Act, and introduced a platform plank endorsing offering voluntary therapy to turn gay people straight.

RESOLVED, that no Rules or Declarations of the Texas Democratic Party that require support for Party nominees shall be enforced or have any application as they relate to the candidacy of any person identifying him or herself as aligned with the Republican Party, and, be it further
RESOLVED, that Members, Officers and Candidates of the Texas Democratic Party are neither required nor encouraged to support the candidacy of any person indentifying him or herself as aligned with the Republican Party but are nevertheless free to relate to, describe and interact with any such candidates or campaigns as they individually deem appropriate, and, be it further

RESOLVED, that the Texas Democratic Party will have no relationship with the campaign of any person indentifying him or herself as aligned with the Republican Party; no such campaigns will have access to Party materials or data, no listing on the Party website and no position of privilege, recognition, or credentialing at Party meetings or conventions.

Why is this important?

Preventing a Republican from taking one of the highest elected offices in Hidalgo County and keeping Texas Blue!