EDINBURG, RGV – It’s highly likely that Presidential candidate Hillary Clinton will make an appearance to the Rio Grande Valley during her bid for the White House, according to local elected officials.
Citing Clinton’s familiarity with the region and her history of campaigning here, a visit to the Valley is a definite possibility, according to state Sen. Juan ‘Chuy’ Hinojosa, D-McAllen.
“I think she will make a visit to South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley before the year is out,” Hinojosa said. “She has visited the Valley probably half a dozen times, not only her but also former president Bill Clinton. She knows the Valley, and she likes the Valley. She understands the Valley, and I expect she will come visit us again.”
Texas is in play this primary season and speculation has been high that Clinton may make an appearance even before Super Tuesday. “We are trying to make this happen,” said a Clinton team worker in Texas who did not wish to be named.
Hinojosa, however said that was unlikely.
“No, and the reason for that is she is looking to win in nine states. It depends on how things are going in each state. That determines where they will be,” he said.
Hinojosa, along with state Reps. Bobby Guerra, D-McAllen, and Oscar Longoria, D-La Joya, and Hidalgo County Judge Ramon Garcia held a press conference Wednesday in Edinburg to announce their support for Clinton.
Clinton is the best-qualified candidate in our lifetime, Garcia said.
“In my capacity as a county judge, I wholeheartedly endorse the candidacy of Hillary Rodham Clinton to be the next President of the United States of America,” Garcia said told media at the event.
“Chuy (Hinojosa) and I have been doing this for awhile. We are the oldest ones here from what I can gather, but all that means is we have over 40 years in political experience. I can assure you and tell you, and both of us can agree that Hillary Clinton is the best-qualified candidate we have had during our lifetimes.”
“She knows our area, and we know her. Most of all, she knows our issues and she has been fighting for those issues. She is a progressive who gets things done,” he said.
Clinton’s familiarity with the region dates back to 1971 when she worked on the campaign for then-presidential candidate George McGovern, visiting the Valley in the process in order to mobilize voters. Twenty years later, her husband Bill Clinton would visit the Valley in 1991 during his successful run for president. He was the first sitting president in a generation to visit the Valley when he arrived in January 1998.
“Hillary Clinton has always been a champion for Hispanics, and issues that are important to families,” Hinojosa said. “She is not afraid to defend the Rio Grande Valley and women. She is not afraid to speak up for Latinos. She is a friend, and for many years she has worked as Secretary of State, traveling around the world meeting heads of state. I endorse her 100 percent to be the next President of the United States of America.”
According to Guerra it’s unsurpassable, the various ways Clinton could help the Valley if she is elected.
“You have heard a lot of reasons of why we are endorsing Hillary Clinton, but I think I must emphasize one thing; that is that she has been here in the Valley over and over again. She knows our community and our needs, and she understands our culture,” Guerra said.
“That’s also important because not all candidates nationally understand the Rio Grande Valley. We are moving forward. Hillary Clinton gets it, and she will help us in ways that will be insurmountable. So we very much endorse her and thank her for her leadership. We need her as our president because again, she understands the Valley.”
Longoria said it’s obvious that Clinton cares about the Valley and Latino voters.
“I think it’s important for everybody to know that early voting is going on, and we need to help out Hillary. More importantly, come November we need to help out Hillary,” Longoria said.
“It’s important we spread the word. I don’t think there is anyone that compares to her with the experience and knowledge. She truly cares about the community. Everybody knows that her and her husband have been down here to South Texas on multiple occasions, so I think it shows that she cares about the Rio Grande Valley and especially about the Latino voters.”
Meanwhile, attorney Vicente Gonzalez says he is the first candidate running for the 15th Congressional District of Texas to officially endorsed Hillary Clinton for president.
“Hillary Clinton has constantly demonstrated her commitment to fighting for Hispanic and underprivileged communities. She is the proven leader our nation needs and our families deserve,” said Gonzalez. “I support her because I know she will stand by our promise to veterans, strengthen Social Security and Medicare for our seniors, and help move South Texas forward.”
Gonzalez said he would “work with Hillary to fight for women’s rights like equal pay for equal work, paid family leave and maternity leave, and better access to healthcare and family planning services.”
