Re: We finally get an EMT-P in the legislature and his wife ( maybe not)

[Guest guest]

Democrats reject candidacy

January 06,2006

Hirschberg

The Monitor

PHARR — Only 36 hours after Reyes-ez filed to run

against her estranged husband for Texas House District 39, she was

deemed ineligible because of her incomplete ballot application.

It took Hidalgo County Democratic Chairman Maldonado several

hours, but in the end, he decided Reyes-ez — the soon-to-be ex-

wife of current District 39 state Rep. " Mando " ez —

could not run because state election code mandates the candidate's

home address be completely filled out. The Texas Democratic Party

permits the local chairman to make the final decision in cases like

these because the district is contained in one county.

" We have to play it by the book, it's simple, " Maldonado said. " I

think it's just a matter of being fair. I'm sure one way or another

people might think I'm playing favorites. "

Rather than give the full street address on the form, Reyes-ez,

28, only wrote " Weslaco, Texas. " She said it was an oversight on her

part.

But she said several people reviewed it when she filed the

application, including Maldonado, and no question was raised about

her address at that point. Maldonado said that is true, but because

she filed 30 minutes before the deadline, it was difficult to catch.

Reyes-ez and ez, 30, are currently going through a

divorce and a custody battle for their young son. The pair was

married for about nine months. She has two other children.

She claims he mentally and physically abused her, while he alleges

that she has a history of mental illness. The couple had a court

hearing in the 92nd state District Court on Thursday morning, where

Judge Horacio Peña — who heard the case because Judge Bobby of

the 139th was sick — ordered ez to pay for a mental and

psychological study of his wife.

Reyes-ez's attorney, Dolores Zarate of Brownsville, said she

was concerned her client's case would suffer because of how political

it had become.

While Reyes-ez acknowledges she is bi-polar, a disorder that

affects one's mood, energy and ability to function, she said she can

still raise her children — and be a state representative.

She said deeming her ineligible to run was a political scheme between

Maldonado and her husband, and that she is carefully considering her

next move.

" Right now, I'm going to consult with family members and the people

who are helping me with my campaign and see what steps we're going to

take next. "

Maldonado said he had to follow the law, and because a small section

of Weslaco falls into state District 40, there was a possibility she

could live in the wrong jurisdiction. A state representative must

live within his or her district.

" She's not happy, pobrecita, " Maldonado said shortly after he told

Reyes-ez. " I told her, `bring your attorney and we'll discuss

it and we'll do whatever.' I had to make the decision. "

As for ez, he said the law is the law, and nobody can

change it.

He did not attend Thursday's court proceedings, on the advice of his

attorney, Fela Olivarez.

" I'm just going to continue ahead and campaign as if we did have an

opponent, " said ez, who is seeking his second two-year

term. " The public sees it as it is and they look beyond what is said

and the allegations… "

>

> <http://www.chron.com/> HoustonChronicle.com --

> http://www.HoustonChronicle.com | <http://www.chron.com/metro>

Section:

> Houston & Texas

>

>

> Jan. 3, 2006, 9:53AM

>

>

>

>

> Wife files to run against husband for State House seat

>

> Associated Press

>

>

> PHARR - The wife of a state representative filed Monday to run

against her

> husband in a South Texas race that both candidates said coincides

with an

> impending divorce.

>

> Democratic state Rep. " Mando " ez, an incumbent from

Weslaco,

> faces a primary challenge from his wife, Reyes-ez. The

> District 39 seat covers part of Hidalgo County.

>

> Reyes-ez, 28, filed as a candidate in the March 7 primary

only 30

> minutes before the Monday deadline, The Monitor reported in its

Tuesday

> edition. She's making her first bid for public office and is now a

> homemaker.

>

> " I'm actually running for office, not against him, " Reyes-ez

told the

> Mc newspaper. " It just happens he's in office right now. "

>

> The two live in separate houses in Weslaco, and did not speak with

one

> another after making short speeches at the Hidalgo County

Democratic Party

> kick-off on Monday night.

>

> ez, a 29-year-old firefighter and paramedic, took office in

2004. When

> asked if the race is personal, he said that's for voters to decide.

>

> " Everyone is free to run, " he said.

>

> Hidalgo County's Democratic Chairman Maldonado said it's a

surprise

> that the race is now contested, but anything is possible in Hidalgo

County

> politics.

>

> There are no Republican candidates.

>

>

>

>

>