SAENZ: ‘CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST MY OPPONENT MAKES IT EVEN MORE URGENT THAT HE GIVE BACK REPUBLICANS’ CORRUPT CAMPAIGN CASH’

Democratic Challenger Says Watchdog Group’s Charges Against Aaron Pena Underscore His Troublesome Ties to Austin Leadership That Stripped Eligible Kids of Health Care and Tried to Take Away South Texans’ Right to Vote

(EDINBURG) — A criminal complaint filed against Aaron Pena today underscores his troublesome ties to the Republican leadership in Austin that stripped hundreds of thousands of eligible children of their health care benefits and passed a hated voter identification law with his help that took away the legitimate right of South Texas citizens to vote, Democratic challenger Eddie Saenz said today.

“Today’s criminal compliant against my opponent makes it even more urgent that he give back the Republicans’ corrupt campaign cash and apologize to South Texas voters for betraying them,” Saenz said.

Pena pocketed $50,000 from Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick’s political action committee, a tainted donation that violated state statutes prohibiting speaker candidates from trying to buy their election with what is known as “legislative bribery,” according to the complaint, filed today with the Travis County District Attorney by the election watchdog group Texans for Public Justice.

Saenz last week called on Pena to return the campaign cash, noting that other contributors to the Republican Speaker’s political action committee include a Houston homebuilder who has given at least $50,000 to George W. Bush and Dick Cheney and funded the 2004 Swift Boat for Veterans smear campaign against Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry. Pena refused, hinting that he will use the Republican cash to level even more negative attacks on Saenz, according the press reports.

Today’s criminal complaint notes that there is reason to believe that Pena and two other so-called Democrats “violated Texas Government Code Chapter 302 and Texas Election Code Chapter 253″ and asks the district attorney “to investigate these apparent violations and, if evidence warrants, to prosecute the offending parties.”

Saenz is chairman of South Texas Health Systems and is a vocal advocate for a veteran’s hospital in Hidalgo County.

Saenz is backed by mayors and community leaders throughout the district who are eager for a full partner in their efforts to create jobs, expand access to quality health care, improve public schools, make college affordable again for middle-class families, and improve vital public services.

Owner and chief executive officer of one of South Texas’ leading civil engineering firms, Saenz is a recognized expert in helping cities, school districts, and other public entities improve their operations and basic services.

Saenz is a former chairman of the Edinburg Chamber of Commerce, the Texas Border Infrastructure Coalition Transportation Committee, and the Edinburg 2020 Action Committee. A graduate of McAllen High, he earned his degree in civil engineering from the University of Texas at Austin in 1982. He is a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the Texas Society of Professional Engineers. He and his wife and child live in Edinburg.

The Democratic primary is scheduled for March 4. Early voting begins a week from tomorrow, on Tuesday, February 19.