The Museum of Human Achievement
Questions Rep. Castro Involvement in Redistricting
RECEIVED Tue., Oct. 11, 2011
Dear Editor,
The Oct. 7 edition of your paper carried a story that spoke to redistricting as related to the actions of this past legislative session [“Get Out Your Colored Pencils,” News, Oct. 7]. The result of their gerrymandering is that two Democrats have to run against each other in the coming primaries.
Now we learn from your article that there is sworn testimony that two Democratic state representatives conspired to add to the problems that were aimed at unseating Congressman Lloyd Doggett. One of them according to testimony was Doggett's apparent opponent in the March Democratic primary.
We in Austin have been led to believe by state House Rep. Joaquin Castro, that the sole responsibility for drawing the map for the new Congressional District 35 belongs to the Republican majority on the committee for redistricting. What I recall in listening to Rep. Castro at two of his presentations was that he had no involvement in drawing the map for this new district. His message was that the redistricting happened despite his opposition. He felt that he had no choice but to announce for the office before someone else announced. It is disappointing that we in Austin, if this testimony is true, were misled by this young, promising official who had many kind words for Congressman Doggett in his talks.
I did not fault Rep. Castro for not mentioning the important committees to which Congressman Doggett has been appointed. However, his misleading of Austin Democrats (should the testimony prove to be correct) indicates a lack of basic principles which we should always insist upon from those we chose as our leaders.
The map gives a San Antonio candidate a distinct advantage, and voters in Austin should not ignore this fact. The map also strengthens the Republican scheme to oust Congressman Doggett because he speaks out against Gov. Rick Perry and Tom DeLay's blatant abuses of power. It also causes problems for Congressman Charlie Gonzalez, who many in Bexar County depend upon to look after their needs. The other part of the whole thing is that it helps keep those Republicans in office who have not shown an inclination to help the working-class American.
The Oct. 7 edition of your paper carried a story that spoke to redistricting as related to the actions of this past legislative session [“Get Out Your Colored Pencils,” News, Oct. 7]. The result of their gerrymandering is that two Democrats have to run against each other in the coming primaries.
Now we learn from your article that there is sworn testimony that two Democratic state representatives conspired to add to the problems that were aimed at unseating Congressman Lloyd Doggett. One of them according to testimony was Doggett's apparent opponent in the March Democratic primary.
We in Austin have been led to believe by state House Rep. Joaquin Castro, that the sole responsibility for drawing the map for the new Congressional District 35 belongs to the Republican majority on the committee for redistricting. What I recall in listening to Rep. Castro at two of his presentations was that he had no involvement in drawing the map for this new district. His message was that the redistricting happened despite his opposition. He felt that he had no choice but to announce for the office before someone else announced. It is disappointing that we in Austin, if this testimony is true, were misled by this young, promising official who had many kind words for Congressman Doggett in his talks.
I did not fault Rep. Castro for not mentioning the important committees to which Congressman Doggett has been appointed. However, his misleading of Austin Democrats (should the testimony prove to be correct) indicates a lack of basic principles which we should always insist upon from those we chose as our leaders.
The map gives a San Antonio candidate a distinct advantage, and voters in Austin should not ignore this fact. The map also strengthens the Republican scheme to oust Congressman Doggett because he speaks out against Gov. Rick Perry and Tom DeLay's blatant abuses of power. It also causes problems for Congressman Charlie Gonzalez, who many in Bexar County depend upon to look after their needs. The other part of the whole thing is that it helps keep those Republicans in office who have not shown an inclination to help the working-class American.
Tom Herrera
