Candidates face off in race to replace late senator

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- Early voting is now underway for the special election to replace the late State Sen. Mario Gallegos. He died back in October due to liver disease complications and now, eight candidates are fighting to replace him.

This special election features a couple of familiar names and some political newcomers. They faced off Friday in a debate with the election just two weeks away, and all of whom think they can best serve District 6.

When Gallegos was re-elected posthumously in November, it set in motion a flurry of post-Election Day campaigning.

There are eight people who want to fill the long-held seat in the Texas Senate and six of them were at an east-end chamber luncheon on Friday afternoon, making pitches to the district's civic leaders.

"District 6 voters have a choice, and they are at a crossroads at the presdent time," Democratic candidate Rodolfo Reyes said.

"First of all, we have to have people responsible for how they spend their money," Republican candidate Dorothy Olmos said.

The informal forum was an opportunity for all of the candidates to talk about jobs, the port of Houston, and healthcare but most of all themselves.

"We haven't had anyone that can address the needs and go to Austin to ascertain funds to make sure those needs are actually met," Republican candidate R.W. Bray said.

"There needs to be a change. There needs to be a change in how leadership is done ,not just in Austin, but here in our community. I want to be that leader," Democratic candidate Joaquin Martinez said.

It was also another chance for the two most recognizable political names on the ballot to sit at the same table: State Rep. Carol Alvarado and former Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia. They have been the most visible campaigns and haven't been shy about trying to distinguish themselves from the others.

"Especially in an open race you're going to have numerous candidates. But I feel good about the type of campaign that we're running. It's positive and we're sticking to the issues," Alvarado said.

"When people are running for office -- there's eight of us -- everybody has to look at their background and their record and I've got a proven record of public service that's always been about putting people first," Garcia said.

Early voting for the special election is already open. Election Day is January 26. If there is a runoff, it would be in either late February or early March.
___________________________________________________________

Take ABC13 with you!
Download our free apps for iPhone, iPad, Android and Blackberry devices

(Copyright ©2013 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

local, tom abrahams

View the original article here

State Senator Mario Gallegos reportedly gravely ill

  HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A leader, not only in the Hispanic community, but for all of Harris County, is fighting for his life. State Senator Mario Gallegos is in grave condition at Methodist Hospital.

Known for being tough when it comes to issues he cares about, family and friends are hoping that toughness will help him recover.

Out of intensive care now, Senator Gallegos is in his own room at the Methodist Hospital with family, friends and colleagues never far away. He's reportedly having complications from a liver transplant he had five years ago.

His campaign office called his condition grave, but the atmosphere not necessarily somber.

"He's responding to people and laughing told a couple of jokes and obviously his circumstance is a tough one and he probably recognizes that," said State Rep. Garnett Doleman (D) of Houston. "But it being a tough one, the time we all have, you don't waste the time talking about that. You make sure you talk about the good times."

Rep. Coleman visited with Gallegos on Friday. The two have been friends for 20 years.

"Mario is a man with a big heart and superior spirit," said Coleman.

Coleman spoke to us, not to disrespect the family, but to honor his friend.

Once a longtime Houston firefighter, Gallegos entered the political arena 22 years ago, first as a state representative, then since 1994 as a state senator representing District 6. In fact, he was the first Mexican-American state senator elected in Harris County.

And as a politician, private matters are public. In 2006, he acknowledged he spent a month in residential treatment for alcoholism. The next year, he announced he has cirrhosis of the liver. A few days later, he received a liver transplant.

Gallegos ran unopposed in the Democratic primary, but faces Republican R.W. Bray in the November election.

A statement released Friday afternoon on his behalf read in part, "Senator Gallegos' family is at his side during this difficult time, and they have asked me to respectfully request that they be allowed their privacy, so that they may devote their undivided attention to their loved one."

(Copyright ©2012 KTRK-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.) Get more Local »

local

View the original article here