Published: 02-20-08
Celebrity politicians won’t deter calls for local politicians to return tainted contributions 
CORPUS CHRISTI -- Leading liberals from around the country are coming to Nueces County in an attempt to turn back the conservative tide that is sweeping across the Coastal Bend.
Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton spoke at the Robstown fairgrounds last week and Barak Obama known as one of the most liberal senators in Congress visits Friday in their attempt to reclaim Nueces County for the big government tax and spend crowd.
“Nueces County’s three Democratic state representatives are standing shoulder to shoulder with these two liberal icons and their failed policies of higher taxes and more government intrusion into our lives” said Mike Bertuzzi chairman of the Nueces County Republican party. “In addition these legislators are attempting to use the hoopla surrounding the visits to hide the truth about their tainted campaign contributions from an indicted discredited would-be attorney with alleged ties to the Mexican drug cartel.”
The attempt by Democrats to maintain support for their failed policies even extends to bringing in Sen. Ted Kennedy the country’s leading liberal to campaign for Obama’s presidential bid. State Rep. Juan Garcia has become the head cheerleader in Obama’s Texas campaign.
“Juan Garcia has put the campaign of Harvard buddy Barak Obama ahead of the needs of the working class families of District 32” Bertuzzi said. “He has become so consumed and stary-eyed with Obama’s presidential race that he has turned his back on the values of the people he is supposed to represent.”
Bertuzzi also repeated his call for state representatives and area judges who received thousands of dollars from indicted Democratic contributor Mauricio Celis to return their contributions. State Rep. Solomon Ortiz Jr. announced Monday that the was donating $25000 contributed to his campaign by Celis to charity.
“We are still waiting to hear from state Reps. Abel Herrero and Juan Garcia on whether they will do the right thing and return ALL of this tainted money and not just a token amount” Bertuzzi said. “They will not be able to hide behind the frenzy of presidential candidates coming to Nueces County. They need to return all the money or at the very least give it all to area charities instead of spending their ill gotten gains on advancing their liberal agenda.”
State Representative Abel Herrero (D-District 34) received $50000 in direct contributions from Celis and $50000 from the Good Government PAC a pro-plantiff pro-Democratic political action committee run by trial lawyer Mikal Watts. Celis donated $50000 to the Good Government PAC.
In addition State Representative Juan Garcia (D-District 32) received $17000 in direct contributions from Celis and $50000 from the Good Government PAC.
Mauricio Celis was indicted for impersonating a lawyer and fraudulent business practices. In addition the state is investigating charges of money laundering and alleged involvement in Mexican drug cartels.
Bertuzzi said the media has overlooked the fact that while these free spending liberal icons are coming to town conservatives have a few stars of their own coming to Nueces County.
“Texas Land Commissioner Jerry Patterson and Railroad Commissioner Michael Williams will each speak at Todd Hunter’s campaign kickoff for District 32 on Wednesday” Bertuzzi said. “These are homegrown Texans who are working to improve the lives of Texas families. They are not just out-of-state liberals trying to tell Texans what is best for them.”
“It is time for conservatives to stand up to those who undermine our values” Bertuzzi said. “This election is too important to not let your voice be heard.”
