Saucedo fires back: ‘Birds of a feather flock together’

Not long after mayoral candidate Dee Margo received seven huge endorsements from Mayor Oscar Leeser and six city representatives, candidate David Saucedo made an announcement of his own.

“It’s not a surprise. The minute I mention corruption, we came out on the news all of a sudden birds of a feather flock together. And all these people came together. And they are just going to perpetuate the culture of corruption,” Saucedo said.

City reps. Michiel Noe, Claudia Ordaz, Peter Svarzbein, Emma Acosta and Jim Tolbert have announced their endorsement of Margo.

Saucedo said Margo can keep his endorsements because they represent the political status quo. That is something he vows to change if elected.

Margo failed to receive 50 percent of the vote after Saturday’s election and will face Saucedo in a runoff June 10.

“Dee has served El Paso in many capacities. He has been a CEO, president of the El Paso ISD Board of Managers, former State Representative, and active in various local charities – these show his immense appreciation and love for this community,” Mayor Oscar Leeser said, “I am confident he will bring this same commitment to the office of mayor.”

Tolbert was not a part of the original announcement and called ABC-7 to say he was also endorsing Margo.

Saucedo is taking aim at Mayor Leeser and Rep. Svarzbein.

The Texas Rangers are currently investigating the two along with reps. Cortney Niland, Jim Tolbert and Lily Limon for allegedly taking part in a walking quorum while discussing a proposed location for the downtown arena.

City Rep. Emma Acosta is not being investigated but Saucedo questioned her ethics.

“With Acosta, if you look at the videos of her campaign kickoff you had individuals like Carlos Aguilar there,” Saucedo said.

Former El Paso County Commissioner Carlos Aguilar was implicated in a public corruption investigation but never charged.

“Someone made a comment to me yesterday that he (Saucedo) sounds like Donald Trump. You know, making allegations on just anything to see what sticks,” Acosta said.

Acosta, who ran against Margo in Saturday’s election, said, “Dee ran a very strong campaign and will focus on the issues facing our city. I believe he can be a champion for El Paso as our next mayor.”

Saucedo also criticized Rep. Claudia Ordaz for being coached via text message by Jose Landeros, County Commissioner Vince Perez’s aide during a city meeting a couple of years ago. Perez and Ordaz are now married. An ethics complaint filed against Ordaz followed but was dismissed.

Saucedo made reference to Rep. Niland and former Rep. Larry Romero for resigning under this administration while facing allegations of wrongdoing. He also pointed a finger at Rep. Limon who was just voted out last week and predicts Rep. Tolbert will follow suit.

“They are teaming up. This is the cabul that I am talking about. And they have exposed themselves for the people who they are and they are politicians who take orders from the higher-ups,” Saucedo said.

Former mayoral candidate Acosta said she was done with the race until Saucedo started making allegations of corruption.

“Why should he be saying things without any proof. He doesn’t have any proof of what he is saying,” Acosta said.

City Rep-elect Henry Rivera, who ousted Rep. Limon, also endorsed Margo for mayor.