Naked City

In the wake of the not entirely conclusive Democratic primary election for state House, District 51, the candidates left standing -- Lulu Flores and Eddie Rodriguez -- are leading up to the April 9 runoff with the traditional wrestling match over endorsements. This week the Rodriguez campaign announced that Sam Guzman -- the East Austin businessman who finished fourth behind the frontrunners and Marcos De Leon -- had endorsed Rodriguez. Guzman said he was endorsing Rodriguez because "he has the support of numerous neighborhood activists and community leaders whom I know and respect," and because Rodriguez had pledged to support the economic development and job creation issues that Guzman had made the center of his campaign.

The same day, Flores countered with the endorsement of El Concilio, the coalition of Mexican-American neighborhood associations in East and Southeast Austin. Coordinator Gavino Fernandez said the organization was endorsing Flores as the "most qualified person to represent the issues of our barrios" at the Legislature, an opinion seconded by Frances Martinez, President of Barrios Unidos. "Our community, our families, will support Lulu Flores," said Martinez, "because she supports protecting the environment for all of Austin."

Marcos De Leon finished third in the initial vote (18%) and his votes may have a good deal to say about the outcome of the runoff. De Leon told us that he would announce his support for Flores on Thursday. "One of the things I feel is very important, is to have someone who's going to connect with the whole community in the new District 51. After talking to both candidates, I feel Lulu has the strongest ability to do that. She's got 22 years of professional experience, and I believe she will be a strong and inclusive voice for the whole community."

Bill Pool, who garnered 5.4% of the primary vote, declined to endorse Rodriguez or Flores, but said, "I consider them both to be highly qualified, knowledgeable candidates, with concern for the people and the environment." Julia Diggs, who got 4.8% of the vote, could not be reached at press time.

The endorsement wars are likely to intensify in the week leading up to April 9, as the two candidates received several "dual" endorsements from traditional Democratic groups prior to the March 12 vote.