TX-23: Let's Go Ciro

There's been some polling on the last contested Congressional seat of 2006, and with the election next week it appears that the race is still in play. While Survey USA (who were pretty good in the midterms) has it 53-46 for Republican Henry Bonilla against Democrat Ciro Rodriguez, reports suggest that an internal DCCC poll shows it a 3-point race. In the end it'll come down to turnout, particularly in the heavily Hispanic areas of Bexar County which is Ciro's power base.

I get the best information on this race from The Burnt Orange Report, and it appears Bonilla is yet another Republican to have an illegal immigrant employee problem.

Despite being investigated by the U.S. Justice Department for employing an illegal immigrant, Bonilla continues to give employers who hire them a free pass. Voters in Congressional District 23 deserve a Congressman who stands up for the best interest of Texas families, not a Representative who skirts the law. Henry Bonilla owes it to his constituents to explain why he is talking out of both sides of his mouth. While he says he's tough on immigration, he votes to let employers, like himself, who seek cheap and illegal labor off the hook.

Basically, Bonilla has voted against fining businesses that hire illegal immigrants, which in my mind is the entire problem. I support in general terms a comprehensive solution to the immigration issue, but cracking down on employers is the most important part. Drain supply and you will weaken demand. I also think working with Mexico and ensuring that they gie hope to their own people is important, but I'm getting off track. Bonilla's a hypocrite.

The Ciro Rodriguez campaign is looking for phonebanking help this weekend to get out the vote on December 12. It would be great to continue the string of victories.

UPDATE: Bonilla must be scared, he's dredging up Sheik Santa:



This is pretty much unsubstantiated nonsense. What it really shows, however, is that Bonilla is desperate. Maybe his numbers haven't moved beyond the 49% he got in the initial election.