U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes And My First Campaign Event

By Rebecca Soto

El Paso, Texas — Congressman Silvestre Reyes, of the 16th District in Texas, launched his campaign in El Paso over the weekend, on November 11 with a crowd of supporters.

To me, everything about the event was grand. Whether if it was the eye-catching banners that greeted you as you entered the convention center, or by the sea of bleach white t-shirts that advertised “Reyes Works: Re-Elect Congressman Silvestre Reyes,” in bold blue and red lettering. This was the first election campaign I have attended, and as soon as I walked through the doors of the convention center, my attitude changed. I felt a burst of enthusiasm for thinking about the tough questions with regard to the future of our community, and the leadership we as a community choose.

The election event wasn’t so much about the infamous promises that we as citizens tend to hear a lot of, so a political figure can gain our vote, but it was a humbling experience. Congressman Reyes fused the Latino culture very much into the campaign, by having Little Joe y La Familia as the main entertainment, and by having his grandchildren present on the stage with him during his speech. Congressman Reyes has held office for 15 years, meaning that when I was just three years old, he was elected into office. All the growth that El Paso has seen because of Silvestre Reyes, has pretty much been the duration of my life.

I felt a true connection to the campaign when I found out that the parking garage that was built near the University of Texas at El Paso was administered by Congressman Reyes, which just so happens to be the parking garage I park in for school. Silvestre Reyes is the face of El Paso, and because of that, Congressman Silvestre Reyes personally has my vote.

The event started with opening remarks from Jesus Reyes, campaign manager for Congressman Reyes. In his opening statement he made an emphasis on the numerous job opportunities Reyes has created for the City of El Paso, as well as the growth of Ft. Bliss, and the seniority he has obtained throughout the duration of his 15 years in Congress. His speech was soon followed by remarks from President Bill Clinton.

Clinton made it a clear point to describe that Congressman Reyes has continued to work hard to protect our nation and to represent the people of El Paso. Congressman Reyes has been able to represent the people of El Paso through his understanding of border issues that encompass international trade, border security, and immigration, and he is able to represent the people of El Paso better than anyone in the country. President Bill Clinton closed his comments by stating that we, as a nation, and as citizens of El Paso, need Congressman Silvestre Reyes more than ever.

Congressman Reyes is being challenged by former city representative Beto O’Rourke in the Democratic primary. O’Rourke has received the greatest publicity in his career by advocating the legalization of marijuana as a way of hurting the Mexican drug cartels financially. Along with this resolution, O’Rourke has devoted a lot time to advocate policies to revitalize the city’s center and to limit urban sprawl. The fight between O’Rourke and Reyes is sure to be a good one.

 Rebecca Soto is a student and a writer who lives in El Paso, Texas.