SAENZ: ‘AWOL AARON MISSES CANDIDATE DEBATE’
Embattled Incumbent Fails to Show But Pockets Tens of Thousands More From Republican PAC Under Criminal Investigation, Pro-Voucher Advocates, Swift Boat Funder, Anti-Lawsuit Group
(EDINBURG) — Embattled incumbent Aaron Pena failed to show up for a scheduled candidate forum on Monday but did manage to cash new campaign checks from a Republican political action committee under criminal investigation for violating state statutes prohibiting “legislative bribery,” pro-vouchers advocates, the GOP donor who funded the Swift Boat for Veterans attacks against Democrat John Kerry, and the leading group trying to limit Texas citizens’ access to the court system they pay for with their taxes.
“I’m not surprised that my opponent failed to show up last night to defend his record of failing to show up to defend his district,” Saenz said.
The candidates forum, sponsored by the Edinburg Review, was held Monday evening at the Dustin M. Sekula Memorial Library. Pena sent an aide instead of participating himself.
Last week, the national media criticized Pena for abandoning Sen. Hillary Clinton’s campaign with just days to go before next Tuesday’s presidential primary. Washington Post political reporter Dana Milbank even told an MSNBC television audience, “Clearly, this is not a man you want in your foxhole.”
Pena last month defended his decision to pocket thousands of dollars from the Republican homebuilder who funded the GOP’s Swift Boat Veterans attacks on 2004 Democratic presidential nominee John Kerry by saying, “I’m in the middle of a war. If somebody wants to hand me a load of bullets, I’m not going to turn them down.”
Saenz said his opponent’s failure to show up for Monday’s debate reinforces his nickname of “AWOL Aaron.”
“South Texas voters learned they can’t count on him when he took a walk as his Republican friends tried to strip us of our right to vote,” Sanez said. “Hillary Clinton learned she can’t count on him when he flip-flopped on his support for her. And the audience at last night’s forum learned that they can’t count on him to defend his record.”
Saenz said the latest campaign finance reports, filed this week, show his opponent has taken an additional $10,000 in the past few days from the Republican group, Texas Builds Jobs and Opportunity PAC, which has been charged with criminal violations of state law for its previous donation to Pena and other legislators.
Pena’s most recent filing also shows a $40,000 contribution from Texans For Lawsuit Reform, a group inked to the Republican leadership in Austin that lobbies for limiting the rights of ordinary Texans to hold corporations whose products cause harm accountable in court.
In addition, Pena’s recent report reveals a new $25,000 donation from Houston homebuilder Bob Perry, the top GOP funder who paid for 2004’s Swift Boat Veterans attacks on John Kerry.
Pena pocketed more than $20,000 in other contributions from special-interest lobbyists and representatives of energy and utility companies, as well groups that want to privatize public jobs, and one of the state’s leading advocates for siphoning tax dollars out of public schools to pay for a private-school voucher scheme. http://txprod.ethics.state.tx.us/public/366263.pdf
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 next Tuesday, March 4. Early voting continues through this Friday, February 29.
