By Emma Jimenez

Sergeant Major Juan M. Hidalgo Jr. is a retired Marine running for election to the U.S. House to represent California’s 51st Congressional District. He is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2020.

Hidalgo was born and raised in the San Diego, CA area community. He currently resides there with his wife and their three children. He is active in San Diego, Imperial and other California communities. Just one month after retiring from the Marine Corps, Sergeant Major Hidalgo decided to continue serving his country by running for United States Congress.

Hidalgo’s core platforms are jobs, education and public safety. He cites the fact that before the COVID-19 pandemic, the 51st district had an 11% unemployment rate when the national average was at 3.2%. He stated that this is unacceptable and the result of too many people in congress who are not “job creators” but instead are “job exporters.” Hidalgo shared with Politifix news that he knows the people of the 51st district- “they want jobs not handouts.”

Hidalgo furthered expressed his frustration with the education system, citing the graduation rate for the 51st is only 68% compared to a national average of 84%. He believes the students are being “pushed through” more than being educated and he seeks to change that by retaining the best educators that are truly devoted to the education of today’s youth.

On the topic of public safety, Hidalgo was critical of the failure of leaders to stop the sewage spill at Imperial Beach which has been going on for years. The sewage is coming from Mexico across the border causing residents to endure a foul smell, beach closure, and polluting San Diego waters.

Hidalgo describes himself as a “non-politician,” but a proven leader. To Hidalgo there’s “no such thing as an ex-marine,” The expression, “once a marine, always a marine,” is something he takes to heart. He’s committed to fighting, and winning for conservative values and for the people of his district.

“You don’t just instantly forget everything you’ve learned and experienced over the past few years once you’re a civilian,” My district currently lacks a leader and I’m ready to take on that role,” stated Hidalgo.

To Hidalgo, a marine is more than just bearing the title, it is a representation of all that he endured and sacrificed for. Although retired, Hidalgo still possesses all the traits that define a marine today; courage, honor, and commitment. All marines are expected to fight, and all are expected to lead. The values of courage, honor and integrity that were instilled in him in the military will surely lead his district to victory.

Hidalgo is still committed to live up to the highest standards upheld while in uniform. He has served valiantly, honorably, and without fear. He has served and fought for this great country of ours on foreign soil and is now ready to continue fighting for this country in Washington DC.

For more information on Juan M. Hidalgo Jr. and to support his campaign, please visit www.hidalgoforcongress.com

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by MELINDA RIVERA

Texas House District 20

When I first met Mauro Garza, as he walked away, I noticed that he treated everyone with the same warmth and respect that he showed me. I thought to myself… if he wins this race, his first year out of the gate in Congress will be a game-changer – you can’t help but like him. The more time I have spent around Mauro, the more certain I am of that assertion.

Mauro Garza, the Republican candidate for United States Congress in Texas House District 20, is a man of many hats… father, businessman, community activist, political candidate and gentleman. Mauro does a very good job endearing himself to others because he’s genuinely interested in them and goes the extra mile with everyone he meets. Mauro makes the effort to walk over to everyone, greet them, engage in conversation and make each individual feel as if they are the most important person in the room. Mauro earns respect because he gives respect, doing so with regularity.

The subject of many water cooler conversation across the San Antonio-Bexar County area and the state, the Congressional candidate has become a household name in his District, having almost as much name ID as the Democrat Incumbent. One thing is certain… if Republicans want to win this seat, they will need Mauro Garza to win his primary runoff.

Voters who subscribe to the theory “if you want something done right ask a busy person” will truly appreciate Mauro Garza. He has proven to be highly successful in all his endeavours, successfully juggling the responsibilities of his businesses, as well as the organizations he serves on. Mauro currently serves as President/CEO of M. Garza Enterprises as well as Manager of Everett Holdings, LLC. He has previously served as an Adjunct Professor of San Antonio College, Director of Grants & Contracts for Texas Biomedical Research Institute and Training Specialist for the Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse. Mauro is also a member of the Republican Jewish Coalition and the Texas Latino GOP Pac among his many organizations.

To illustrate his point, Mauro personalized the problem at a homeowner level. “I have always taken national problems and compared them to my house, my home. Even my friends will knock on the door and ask to be let in. I can decide who I allow in. Do you want your friends or even people you don’t know to just walk in your door or come through your window and walk freely into your house and expect you to not only be okay with this, but expect you to feed them and clothe them and sit idly by as they use your car and your house as they wish? Or worse yet, allow them to commit harmful acts against your family?” Mauro asks, with conviction before he answers. “Well nobody would be okay with that. Yet, we are doing this with the people from other countries who enter our country illegally at a national level. We are being exploited, this is not just our country, its our home, where we should feel safe and protected. We have a home with a door and our country does also, it’s called a border and we need to enforce it and defend it in much the same way we defend our home.” Mauro gets another check on the checklist, and a star for driving home the point. There is no doubt where this candidate stands on immigration.

There are many pressing issues in our country, from protecting our oil and gas industry, which Mauro believes should be protected, to the importance of the 2nd Amendment, to the importance of never allowing Democrat Socialists to take office. Mauro is well versed in just about any issue involving Congress. It is obvious that Mauro, if elected, will be an effective leader… and in the Republican Party Run-Off Election, the consensus is that he is the only candidate that has a chance to win in the General Election. Many believe he will win in November if he makes it past the run-off. Mauro does admit he has one thing in common with Joaquin Castro. He laughs as he states, “neither of us has ever passed a bill.” Mauro will take that check now, and for good measure, he will take your vote, too, if in his words, “you will be so kind…”

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Politifix Editor Endorsements for Texas Republican Party Primary Runoffs

US House District 13 – Ronny Jackson – This race is perhaps the most important race in Texas, Jackson has stronger ties to the White House and throughout Washington DC to be a dominant force in Congress from day one (Ref article: Ronny Jackson Parlays Personal Influence into Political Strength for TX District 13). Both candidates will easily defeat their Democrat challenger in November, but Jackson gets the nod because the impact he has from day one may never be realized by his opponent if he were to win. This is a no-brainer. If District 13 voters select his opponent, the entire state of Texas will be face-palming themselves for the next 20 years.

US House District 15 – Monica De La Cruz-Hernandez – One of the hardest working and most personable candidates in the state of Texas for any race. Hernandez has endeared herself with every group she has encountered. Both Candidates are strong and have the values which will make for a strong conservative presence in Congress. Of the two, it is this editor’s opinion that Hernandez is the more passionate about the issues which effect the region, and she is also the only one of the two candidates who has a legitimate shot at winning in November.

US House District 16 – Irene Armendariz-Jackson – A very strong candidate and faith and family candidate, Armendariz-Jackson is a very impassioned candidate who will move up the ranks of Congress rather quickly. She makes friends very quickly and genuinely cares about her constituency. She is very strongly tied to the faith community and for pro-life, pro-family, and pro-faith issues, she will be a strong advocate in Washington. Armendariz-Jackson will win in November if she wins the runoff, I have serious doubts that her opponent can beat the Democrat challenger.

US House District 17 – Pete Sessions – A conservative who has held leadership positions in Congress already, Sessions can immediately move into Congress and rebuild the relationships he has already cultivated. Sessions is also endorsed by the National Rifle Association and has traditionally been strong on pro-life and immigration issues.

US House District 18 – Wendell Champion – Champion has a remarkable personal journey from “Welfare to West Point.” Throughout his life he has shown a strong commitment to his faith and to serving our country and his community. I have been impressed with Champion since he entered the race and have no doubt if he wins the Republican nomination, he will present a very tough challenge to Democrat incumbent, Sheila Jackson Lee.

US House District 20 – Mauro Garza – Garza is a must-win for people in this District if they have any ambitions of unseating Democrat incumbent Joaquin Castro. Garza has the personality, the business acumen, and he checks off all the important positions of the conservative platform. He has the resources and the community profile to win in November.  Of the two candidates, Garza is the only one who can reach across the aisle and pull votes from Castro. It is our position that Garza will not only be a very formidable opponent in November – he could win. If Mauro does not win the runoff, the Republican candidate will most likely lose in November by a substantial margin.

US House District 22 – Troy Nehls – Nehls served 20 years in public service, including the past eight years as Sheriff of Fort Bend County. He has strong conservative values and a loyal political following, which he earned through his service to the community. Nehls will be very tough to beat in November.

US House District 23 – Tony Gonzales – Both candidates in this race are very formidable, very likable, very conservative and align with President Trump on every key issue. Gonzales, who has been castigated for seeking and receiving the endorsement of outgoing District 23 Representative Will Hurd whose retirement was cheered by many in the Republican Party. There is no room for butthurt in politics, and anybody who understands the political landscape of a hotly contested race with no incumbent should appreciate that aligning with the person holding the seat is the smartest move to make. Gonzales is his own man and has served honorably in the military. Although his opponent is a viable candidate, we contend that the best shot the Republican Party has in retaining this very important seat in Congress this November is if Tony Gonzales is the Republican nominee.

US House District 35 – Jenny Garcia Sharon – This race is an uphill battle. Democrat Lloyd Doggett is a very formidable incumbent and will be difficult to beat. Both Republican candidates in this race are conservative and would do well in Congress. Sharon gets the nod because of the two longshots, she has the best chance to make the November election competitive, and one never knows…

State Board of Education, District 5 – Lani Popp – Lani Popp is an incredibly gifted teacher and was endorsed by every notable conservative organization and Republican elected official in the District. She was also endorsed by every Republican currently on the Texas SBOE. In stark contrast, her opponent in the runoff is such a vile individual that he was denied an interview with the San Antonio Express News for fear of what he would say. Popp MUST WIN this election and save Texas teachers and children from his perverse words and behavior. If she wins the runoff, Popp will be favored to win in November, if she loses, we will pray that the Democrat win the seat. That is a sad statement, but I seriously doubt anybody that knows him will disagree.

Texas 7th Court of Appeals, Place 4 – Steven Denny – This is not a runoff race, this is a “do-over” of a race that Denny won in March. Two small counties forgot to put this race on their ballots and effectively the courts ruled that the entire race must be a rerun. Denny is by far the more conservative and would be the only jurist on the court with a background in criminal law. This is important since the majority of the cases are criminal law cases. His opponent is a nice guy, but for this seat, Denny is the better candidate for this seat. More than 90,000 voters were disenfranchised by the courts to allow for this “do-over.” It is our opinion this race should not have been on the ballot, again. Denny was the clear winner in the first race. Denny is a far better judicial candidate than his opponent, who was appointed by Governor Greg Abbott. I am normally a fan of Governor Abbott, but lately, he has left me scratching my head with his decisions — beginning with his choice for this court.

Additional Endorsements:

Texas House, District 45 – Kent “Bud” Wymore

Texas House, District 47 – Jennifer Fleck

99^th Judicial District, District Judge – Kara L. Darnell

140^th Judicial District – District Judge – Douglas H. Freitag

Stay safe, pray for our country, and serve boldly, God Bless.