Clinton politics for Gallego Thursday

SAN ANTONIO – Former President Bill Clinton will campaign in San Antonio for Democratic candidates today, which could be a boost for state Rep. Pete Gallego in his close race against incumbent Republican Rep. Francisco “Quico” Canseco.

President Bill Clinton and State Rep. Pete Gallego at a Democratic Party rally Thursday in San Antonio.

“President Clinton’s visit will play a huge role in energizing and mobilizing Democrats,” Gallego told Gary Martin of the San Antonio Expess-News.

“President Clinton is revered around here for his exceptional public service on behalf of middle-class families. It will be an honor to share the stage with President Clinton, particularly at this time when there are so many critical issues at stake for middle-class families in this election,” Gallego added.

Clinton will appear with Gallego, of Alpine, fellow congressional candidate Joaquin Castro, state Sen. Carlos Uresti, sheriff’s candidate Amadeo Ortiz, and Bexar County tax assessor candidate Albert Uresti at 3pm today at South San Antonio High School football field. San Antonians who vote early can pick up a ticket at the Gallego campaign headquarters, 9727 Poteet Jourdanton Hwy., Suite 109 with an “I voted” sticker.

Gallego and Canseco, R-San Antonio, candidates for the 23rd Congressional District seat, are scheduled to face off at a debate this evening in Del Rio.

Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, campaigned with Canseco last week in the congressional district that includes nearly 800 miles of U.S.-Mexico border and spans two time zones that stretches through Far West Texas to east El Paso.

The race has been rated a toss up by the Cook Political Report, a non-partisan news letter. Both major political parties covet the seat. TV advertising is expected to eclipse $5 million in the race.

Democrats have targeted Canseco, who won in 2010 with less than 50 percent of the vote, as part of their effort to win 25 seats and recapture control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

A redistricting plan originated in the Republican-controlled Legislature in Austin sought to shore up Canseco by removing South San Antonio precincts with high voter turnout and replacing them with low-performing boxes in West Texas.

Clinton last campaigned in the congressional district in 2006. His appearance in heavily Democratic South San Antonio is credited with helping Ciro Rodriguez defeat incumbent Rep. Henry Bonilla, R-San Antonio, in a special election following a Supreme Court ruling to redraw the district because a GOP-led redistricting plan was found to dilute minority voting strength.

Canseco defeated Rodriguez in 2010.