Free Republic

State Representative Richard Peña Raymond speaks to us about a proposal he is taking to the capitol in a couple of months. The proposal aims to eliminate denominations such as Hispanic, Latino, or Chicano and identify all those of Hispanic descendents as Hispanic-Latinos. Our reporter Carolina Garcia has that story. Armando Garcia says he is Hispanic because he was born in the U.S. if you've ever filled out a survey asking for your ethnicity you may be among the thousands that for a second stop and wonder what box the should select Hispanic, Latino, Chicano perhaps Mexican American or even...

Raymond eyes tough race By TRICIA CORTEZ LAREDO MORNING TIMES The March Democratic primary is eight months away, an eternity in politics, but the race for one of Laredo's two congressional seats promises to be as furious as an Alabama tick in summer. This week, state Rep. Richard Raymond, D-Laredo, made clear his intentions to challenge incumbent Congressman Henry Cuellar of Laredo. However, Raymond said Friday he would make no formal announcement until the special session on school finance in Austin is over. Over the years, both legislators have done little to hide their dislike and lack of support for...

Candidates begin filing papers to run in 2004 primary election AUSTIN (AP) — Candidates for president, Congress, the Texas Legislature and other offices began filing papers for the 2004 primary election Wednesday, even as a dispute simmered over which congressional districts will be used. Democratic U.S. Rep. Martin Frost of Arlington filed to run in the district he has represented for 25 years. Frost said he was confident a federal court will uphold existing congressional boundaries and toss out a GOP redistricting plan approved this fall. The Republican map, which Democrats claim violates minority voting rights, decimated Frost's heavily minority...

Commissioners to consider joining redistricting lawsuit BY TRICIA CORTEZ Times staff writer Webb County will join the consolidated lawsuit filed against Gov. Rick Perry and the state of Texas over the Republican-drawn congressional redistricting map passed by the Texas Legislature in October. The Webb County Commissioners Court will hold a special called meeting Monday to hire the San Antonio law firm of Rolando Rios to represent the county. Commissioner Judith Gutierrez made the request last week. The trial begins Dec. 11 and will be held in federal court in Austin before a three-judge panel. Other plaintiffs in the lawsuit styled...