By Juan Montoya
Apparently feeling the footsteps of better qualified candidates behind her, 16-year Justice of the Peace Pct. 2, Place 1 incumbent Linda Salazar has started her fund raising more than a year ahead of the 2020 Democratic Party primary.
In a letter she sent out to local Democrats, Salazar asks for their vote and reminds them that "campaigns are expensive" and asks for "a generous donation to allow me to run a successful campaign."
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Others may ask why Salazar is asking the public for money since she has averaged more than 600 weddings at $250 a pop over the last four years, raking in an estimated $150,000 in cash for her coffers. Under Texas law, JPs are allowed to keep any marriage fees they charge for themselves. All the county keeps is the $82 charged for the marriage license with the county clerk.
Never before had Salazar started campaigning so early. Is it because at least two challengers have already announced that they will challenge her stranglehold on the lucrative marriages racket that doubles as her JP office?
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One, Fred Arias, touts his more than two decades of federal law enforcement experience as his major strength to replace Salazar.
The other, a more formidable opponent in the eyes of local political observers is Cynthia Mendiola- Hinojosa, originally from La Joya, and is an educated Latina woman who is a Criminal Science graduate, a Licensed Professional Counselor, and has a Master's Degree in Education, Guidance and Counseling.
She is currently the office manager for the Gilberto Hinojosa Law Firm, her husband and also Chairman of the Texas Democratic Party.
Hinojosa has over the years worked as Assistant Program Director at the La Esperanza Home for Boys, as a clinician there, and as a Parole Officer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Parole Division.
Smart, energetic and a go-getter, she is also the past president of the Cameron County Texas Democratic Women. Her community involvement goes beyond positions with pay. She has also volunteered her time as board member of the Proyecto Juan Diego in Cameron Park ( 3rd term), is a board member of the Community Development Corporation of Brownsville, recording secretary of the Catholic Daughters, Sacred Heart of Mary Court (2448), past board member of the Recovery Center of Cameron County, a Cameron County Democratic Party National Delegate, and Chair for Cameron County Precinct 9.
Now can you see why Salazar, a throwback to the days when a chicken plate and a bottle of beer could get you a vote and win you elections, is running early and running scared?
Wouldn't you?
Apparently feeling the footsteps of better qualified candidates behind her, 16-year Justice of the Peace Pct. 2, Place 1 incumbent Linda Salazar has started her fund raising more than a year ahead of the 2020 Democratic Party primary.
In a letter she sent out to local Democrats, Salazar asks for their vote and reminds them that "campaigns are expensive" and asks for "a generous donation to allow me to run a successful campaign."
Others may ask why Salazar is asking the public for money since she has averaged more than 600 weddings at $250 a pop over the last four years, raking in an estimated $150,000 in cash for her coffers. Under Texas law, JPs are allowed to keep any marriage fees they charge for themselves. All the county keeps is the $82 charged for the marriage license with the county clerk.
Never before had Salazar started campaigning so early. Is it because at least two challengers have already announced that they will challenge her stranglehold on the lucrative marriages racket that doubles as her JP office?
One, Fred Arias, touts his more than two decades of federal law enforcement experience as his major strength to replace Salazar.
The other, a more formidable opponent in the eyes of local political observers is Cynthia Mendiola- Hinojosa, originally from La Joya, and is an educated Latina woman who is a Criminal Science graduate, a Licensed Professional Counselor, and has a Master's Degree in Education, Guidance and Counseling.
She is currently the office manager for the Gilberto Hinojosa Law Firm, her husband and also Chairman of the Texas Democratic Party.
Hinojosa has over the years worked as Assistant Program Director at the La Esperanza Home for Boys, as a clinician there, and as a Parole Officer with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice - Parole Division.
Smart, energetic and a go-getter, she is also the past president of the Cameron County Texas Democratic Women. Her community involvement goes beyond positions with pay. She has also volunteered her time as board member of the Proyecto Juan Diego in Cameron Park ( 3rd term), is a board member of the Community Development Corporation of Brownsville, recording secretary of the Catholic Daughters, Sacred Heart of Mary Court (2448), past board member of the Recovery Center of Cameron County, a Cameron County Democratic Party National Delegate, and Chair for Cameron County Precinct 9.
Now can you see why Salazar, a throwback to the days when a chicken plate and a bottle of beer could get you a vote and win you elections, is running early and running scared?
Wouldn't you?