State Rep. Chente Quintanilla is considering a run for a seat as an El Paso County Commissioner.
Quintanilla, D-El Paso, dismissed talk that he was likely seeking the position as rumors but he would not completely write off a bid for the seat. He also would not give a clear confirmation that he would seek reelection to his state House seat.
"That's the problem, people start rumors and it spreads like wildfire," he said in a telephone interview. "I don't know what I want to do. Let me put it that way. I'm not ready to make any kind of decision. As far as I'm concerned, I'm still committed to doing my state representative work."
He said he has been approached by people "wanting a little action" who have asked him to run against County Commissioner Willie Gandara.
"People are talking to me about it," Quintanilla said. "Let's put it that way. It's not a commitment I've made or anything."
Quintanilla said he enjoys being a state representative and mentioned that after the current round of redistricting he has a greater chance of winning reelection.
"I created, when I worked with the delegation, a district that would be fail safe for me so that's another thing that I've got to consider," he said.
Quintanilla said he never announces his plans before December because he waits to see who else will jump in the state House race.
"I guarantee you after Labor Day and after everybody starts making moves I will announce for one or the other," Quintanilla said.
Update:
U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-El Paso, announced that his communications director Vincent Perez resigned "to pursue other career opportunities"
Perez is also considering running for the County Commissioners seat.
“Vince is one of the most dedicated and talented communicators on Capitol Hill, and I appreciate his tireless service on behalf of the people of El Paso,” Reyes said in a statement. “He has a very bright future ahead of him, and I wish him the very best in his future endeavors.”
Political dominos in the Valley means "deals" by Valley players have been cut. Last week a FB post by a Valley politiquera stated the shuffle included Willie Jr. For Congress, Dora Oaxaca for State Rep. and Chente for Commissioner. Their bases are loyal flock and will vote rock solid for the three.
Vincent Perez is a rising star, Tonya Loya a Princess fom the Valley, and Hector H. Lopez is an eligible, educated, policy type candidate also interested in the state rep open seat. Rep. Naomi Gonzalez gal pal Valerie Sanchez also wants to join Naomi in Austin (her Mom a likely candidate for Soco Loco Mayor again).
Trouble for Willie Jr., running for Congress, East of the Loop (Cesar Chavez Hwy) is no longer in the 16th Congressional District, it will go to Consejo's seat where politico Pete Gallego will run against the incumbent.
Posted by: Not politicially dead yet | August 24, 2011 at 03:39 PM
So...Chente must want a THIRD retirement check (school, state, now county?).
Posted by: Edie | August 24, 2011 at 09:41 PM