George P. Bush greets with supporters in Harlingen on Monday. (Staff photo by Heather Cathleen Cox)
By HEATHER CATHLEEN COX
Staff Writer
reporter@sbnewspaper.com
HARLINGEN – “What we’ve set out to do is simple,” announced George P. Bush, grandson and nephew of former Presidents George H.W. Bush and President George W. Bush, respectively, when visiting the Valley on Monday. “We want to bring more Latinos to the Republican Party.”
As Republicans gathered in Harlingen on Monday to rally together in support of their local candidates, namely those of Hispanic descent, the mood was very cordial and amicable, though an attempt to raise awareness for the campaigns of Hispanic Republicans in the State of Texas was no joking matter.
Bush said, “A lot of people wrote us off when we got started in Austin just a few election cycles ago when we had no Hispanics in the state legislature. Now there are seven.”
While in the Valley, Bush’s first stop was the Republican Headquarters in Harlingen, where he spoke on behalf of an organization for which he is the cofounder, Hispanic Republicans of Texas. Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos openly explained that Democratic voters outweigh Republicans in this area and how he, himself, is a former Democrat. He said, “In Cameron County, if you want to move (parties) you have a home. It takes a lot of courage and intestinal fortitude to switch parties, especially when the predominant party is Democrat.”
Cascos had the floor to introduce Bush, whom he referenced lightheartedly as “George P.” Cascos said, “I hope when everyone says George P. in the future, people will know what you’re talking about. Kind of like, Madonna. Or Elvis.” The crowd laughed as he expressed that he felt honored to “introduce someone who has founded and worked hard for the Hispanic Republicans of Texas.”
George P. Bush spoke to the nature of his visit to the RGV when he said, “This is truly how campaigns are won. Take it from me, I’m a Bush. We know a few things about close races. We know that every vote counts.” Bush expanded to say, “The same applies here in Cameron County with the great candidates we’re here to support.”
“I’m involved with the military,” said Bush, who was deployed to Afghanistan during the last election cycle. He encouraged those present to “deploy in a different way. I encourage each and every one of you to get out to the polls and vote. Get people from your churches and synagogues and get to the poll,” said Bush.
“A lot of people have dismissed our party’s efforts in Cameron County,” stated Bush. “The rest of the country is looking to see what we’re able to accomplish in the great state of Texas.”
Bush is currently serving the deputy campaign finance manager for the state Republican Party of Texas and as cofounder of Hispanic Republicans of Texas with George Antuna, of Schertz. Bush said he looks forward to coming back to Texas and helping Republicans campaign in the future.
Furthermore, Cascos expressed that he hopes to see Bush venture out into state politics in the future. “I think he’d be a great candidate. He has to make his own tread forward. I believe he will.”
Read this story in the Nov. 4 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
1 comment
I never knew there were people in the house of prayer speaking to people and taking them out to the polls to vote. Times? They are a changing . That reminds me we need to move the time on our clocks back one hour at midnight tonight.