Noriega to stage three-day South Texas campaign swing next week

[sonias]

Rio Grande Guardian 1/24/08

Noriega to stage three-day South Texas campaign swing next week

LAREDO, January 24 - Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate Rick Noriega will embark on a three-day tour of South Texas next week, including Laredo and the Rio Grande Valley.

Noriega, a five-term state representative from Houston, said he hopes to send out a positive message to communities in the region, adding that he wants to let the people of South Texas know that he is "in tune" with their needs.

"I want to send a message of positive change in our state, and to put our country back on the right course," said Noriega. "I want the communities of South Texas to know that they will have a U.S. Senator from Texas that will fight for them in Washington D.C., and not someone who will represent Washington D.C. interests."

(snip)

"Working class families cannot afford a college education for their children and health care costs are rising so that our children are going without medical attention. The people of South Texas need to have a U.S. Senator that will stand up for them in Washington D.C," said Noriega.

Noriega said Cornyn has not been able to represent the people of South Texas, adding that the senator voted against the Children's Health Insurance Program and in favor of the proposed border fence. "This 'Cornyn Cortina—Cornyn Curtain,' that is being built on the border," said Noriega.

:applause:

Sonia

[sonias]

1. Senate hopeful Noriega introduces himself to S. Texas

Houston Chronicle 1/28/08
Senate hopeful Noriega introduces himself to S. Texas

By R.G. RATLCIFFE

KINGSVILLE — Democratic senatorial candidate Rick Noriega introduced himself to South Texas on Monday by telling audiences the region has not had representation in the U.S. Senate since Lloyd Bentsen left office in 1993.

Noriega accused Republican incumbent Sen. John Cornyn of failing to fight for the region on issues such as funding the repair of flood levies and the construction of a Veterans Affairs hospital in South Texas.

But it also was clear that the Democrats who attended the Noriega gatherings had come to find out who he is. The five-term Texas House member from Houston, who is married to Houston City Councilwoman Melissa Noriega, is barely known south of the Nueces River.

"I came out here to meet him because I didn't know who he was," said Robert Tapa, a member of the Robstown school board.

Noriega cousin Armando Gonzalez of Robstown was asked whether people in South Texas had ever heard of Noriega. Gonzalez replied, "Not really, but they're going to find out."

Sonia

[sonias]

2. Rick live blogging on DailyKos

Well he was there earlier. He has some great videos on the diary though. Go give it a look and recommend.

DailyKos Rick Noriega S. Texas Tour
Liveblogging my Campaign for Change in South Texas
by Rick Noriega
Tue Jan 29, 2008 at 02:34:40 PM PST

Hello America from the southern tip of Texas!

Yesterday I kicked off a three day campaign tour across South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley, the most Democratic region of Texas, as part of my campaign for the United States Senate. I'm traveling to over a dozen cities, across two dozen counties, on over 700 miles of highway in 72 hours to bring our campaign for change to the people of Texas.

You can follow me on my tour online at www.ricknoriega.com/southtexastour.

Yesterday morning I held a breakfast in Corpus Christi hosted by my fellow State Representative Abel Herrero. Here's a video of the speech I gave there.

:bounce::bounce::bounce:

Sonia