Former State Rep. Eddie Lucio III of Brownsville rallied behind State Senator Morgan LaMantia's re-election campaign last week with an enthusiastic pitch and video that he cut on her behalf in response to his father's endorsement of GOP foe Adam Hinojosa in a move that made him a turncoat in the eyes of South Texas Democrats.
The outgoing representative reiterated his support for LaMantia based on the same glowing reasons that former Texas Senator Eddie Lucio Jr. cited in 2022 when he endorsed her for the Senate District 27 seat that he didn't seek again that year. But the elder Lucio threw his support behind the Republican challenger last week with a one-dimensional endorsement based solely on their mutual opposition to abortion.
Lucio's son sought to nullify or to dilute the punch that the ex-senator's Hinojosa endorsement may still carry in the district that he represented in the Legislature's upper chamber for 32 years. SD 27 is anchored in a part of the Rio Grande Valley where his son has been a representative since 2007.
"It’s an incredible honor to have the support of former State Representative Eddie Lucio III," LaMantia said in an Instagram post on Friday. "His legacy of service to South Texas speaks volumes, and I’m proud to carry that torch forward. Grateful for his trust, and ready to keep delivering real results for our region. #SouthTexas deserves nothing less."
Lucio III gave up a House seat in an overlapping district without a re-election race in 2022.
The elder Lucio decided not to run again two years ago after GOP leaders and lawmakers redrew SD 27 for Republicans by stretching the district to the north beyond the Corpus Christi-area into San Patricio and Bee counties.
Lucio the former senator endorsed LaMantia in SD 27 in her first race for the seat based on a number of reasons with loyalty to the LaMantia family for its longtime support as the most prominent. "“For me, I am returning the favor because Morgan’s grandfather, Joe, supported me when I first ran for office,” Lucio told the Rio Grande Guardian in May 2022.
LaMantia family members contributed $12,000 to Lucio Jr. for his last race in 2020 when he was forced into a primary runoff that he won with 54 percent of the vote. Lucio also defended LaMantia's reliance on family wealth in the form of campaign loans to fund her initial bid for the SD 27 seat.
"I’m endorsing Morgan for state senator because I believe in her," the elder Lucio said in a video in 2022. "I believe she is the best and most responsible person to lead our district at our state Capitol in Austin, Texas.”
Lucio Jr. said at the time that education was the most important issue facing the Legislature. But the retired lawmaker gave the impression that he sees abortion as the only issue now that really matters to him as a private citizen.
But the elder Lucio had evolved into a Republican over time as Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick most reliable Democratic vote on issues where the GOP majority needed at least one from across the aisle.
The Lucios and the LaMantias go way back. Lucio was in a group of Senate Democrats who flew on a plane that Greg LaMantia arranged for them to Albuquerque to block a congressional redistricting plan in 2003. Lucio and fellow Democrats holed up in the New Mexico city for a couple of months before returning to Austin to face the inevitable.
Lucio didn't need to raise a substantial sum of money for the Senate that he entered in 1991. Lucio never had a general election opponent in six races for the seat in the east wing in Austin. He drew his first Democratic challenge in a re-election race in the 2016 primary election that he won with 84 percent of the vote.
Lucio may have his feeling bruised, however, when LaMantia accepted his endorsement but declined to get him more involved in the campaign two years ago. The statement that Lucio issued with the Hinojosa endorsement is below.
“Today, I speak, as always, in solidarity with and commitment to my beloved constituents in Brownsville and beyond," Lucio said. "You know that I was immeasurably blessed to serve you and your families for 48 years in public office, 12 years with county government and 36 years in state government.
“Together, with God’s help, we overcame countless challenges to build strong and prosperous communities founded on the core values we all share: Faith, Family, and Friendship. To sustain our many successes and strengthen the bonds of those communities, I am pleased to endorse Adam Hinojosa to be our next Texas State Senator representing District 27.
“In particular, Adam’s Pro-Life positions align with mine, the Roman Catholic Church, Texas Pro-Life Christian Churches, pro-life organizations, and I firmly believe with most of Senate District 27’s constituents.
“As a vigorous supporter of the Sanctity of Life, I was repeatedly re-elected by the district’s voters for 36 years as a State Legislator. It’s time to send another strong voice for life back to Austin. Adam Hinojosa will be that voice.
“Also, as you all know, I always put your interests above any partisan divide. This year is no exception. While I thank her for her service and pray God’s peace and protection on Senator Morgan LaMantia and her family, I strongly believe Adam Hinojosa is best qualified to work for and secure the best future for all RGV families.
“May God bless us all.”
