Six and One Half Dozen

Dem candidates focus on jobs in debate.

Tuesday, April 10, 2012 | 1:19 p.m.

The Dem candidates "faced off" April in a debate "that focused on economic development and the need for better jobs." With "few exceptions," the Dem contenders "agreed on the topics", in most cases saying education and enacting Dem Party policies in DC "would help improve the district." But there were "some small explosive moments."

Activist Carlos Quintanilla (D) said "he was a voice of the people, not the political establishment." Quintanilla: “I’m not a Royce West Democrat. I’m not owned and bought by Martin Frost. I’ve been in the community. I’ve been fighting in the community and people know who I am.”

Ex-state Rep./'02 Dallas mayoral candidate Domingo Garcia (D) has been endorsed by West. State Rep. Marc Veasey (D) has the endorsement of Frost.

Quintanilla "also criticized" dentist David Alameel (D) for giving money to ex-House Maj. LeaderTom DeLay (R-TX). Quintanilla: "I am not a Tom DeLay Democrat." Alameel "had words for Quintanilla that the audience could not hear."

The debate "was the first major forum of the election season" and included 10 of the 11 Dem candidates on the May 29 ballot.

"Jobs, access to affordable health care and public education topped the candidates’ list of concerns" at the debate. Veasey: "The residents of District 33 will be left out and shut out if we don’t reform our educational system." Garcia "said that if he is elected to Congress, he will have a message for Wall Street." Garcia: “We bailed you out. It’s time you put money back into Main Street.”

Ex-Dallas City Council member Steve Salazar (D) said “in this election, experience matters,” adding that he was qualified to deal with the district’s economic issues (Jeffers, Dallas Morning News, 4/9).

"Citing his grandfather's trek to Dallas in the early 1900s with a dream for a better life," Garcia said he will work to ensure "fairness, inclusion and being able to achieve" the American dream. Garcia: "I believe in the old American values of fairness and inclusion."

Fort Worth City Council member Kathleen Hicks (D): "This is a critical time." She touted her work to bring economic development to Fort Worth, her ability to bring "strong tireless leadership" to the district and her work to fight against "environmental racism that has been a very big problem ... all across District 33" (Tinsley, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4/9).

The Breakdown

Dallas Morning News' Jeffers writes, "With less than two months before" the Dem primary, "the fight for the newly created U.S. House district is evolving into a fascinating tactical battle that, with 11 candidates in the field... The most visibly active candidate has been" Garcia.

"After scoring big-name endorsements in Dallas County...Garcia has aggressively taken the fight to Tarrant County, where his Fort Worth rivals have a natural advantage. Garcia also has mailed literature to tens of thousands of voters. ...But will all of that matter?"

"To win, Garcia has to motivate Hispanic voters, who are often underrepresented at the polls. Many analysts say Garcia has to expand the universe" of CD voters. Veasey "is running a more modest campaign. ...Veasey apparently doesn’t have the campaign dollars enjoyed by Garcia, though he should have enough to execute his plan." The CD includes "a large portion of the state House district that Veasey already represents."

"Hicks, also a candidate, has significant name recognition" in Tarrant Co. "The candidate who ultimately wins the seat, however, will have to appeal to voters on both sides on the county line" (4/9).