SAENZ: “AARON PENA’S LATEST FLIP-FLOP BETRAYS HILLARY CLINTON AND HER SOUTH TEXAS SUPPORTERS”

(EDINBURG) — Democratic House challenger Eddie Saenz today said that Aaron Pena’s appearance at a rally for Barack Obama and published comments against Hillary Clinton are the latest in a long line of flip-flops and outright betrayals of the voters of South Texas.

“Senator Clinton has now learned what our community learned long ago — you can’t trust Aaron Pena,” Saenz said. “His word means nothing when his personal ambition gets in the way.”

Saenz noted that Pena has spent months representing himself as one of Sen. Clinton’s top Rio Grande Valley supporters and was even introduced by her during a rally last week in McAllen. Yet, he appeared earlier today at a rally for Clinton’s opponent, Illinois Senator Barack Obama, and was quoted in the respected political newsletter Rio Grande Guardian saying that “it appears to be increasingly evident who is going to win.”

Pena was referring to Obama in the quote. http://www.riograndeguardian.com/rggnews_story.asp?story_no=28#

“This latest flip-flop reminds voters of the only thing they can count on from my opponent — that he will flip-flop again when his Republican friends in Austin tell him to miss another vote on their voter I.D. bill to take away our rights,” Saenz said.

Pena’s latest betrayal reinforces the continuing controversy surrounding his support for Republican politicians in Austin, including embattled GOP House Speaker Tom Craddick, and the tens of thousands of dollars in campaign cash he has taken from top Republican donors. A $50,000 check last month from Craddick is now the subject of an ongoing criminal charge filed with the Travis County District Attorney.

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 Tuesday, March 4. Early voting started Monday and continues through next Friday, February 29.