Dear Friends:

I thought my closest supporters should be the first to know: I am running for State Representative in District 78 in 2012.

And I am more confident of victory than ever. Now, voters can compare my record as State Representative with Dee Margo’s record since he took office.

The differences are stark.

Joining reckless right-wingers, Margo voted to hammer El Paso’s public schools and economy. I voted for a state budget that protected our local schools and helped create jobs – without a tax increase.

In 2010, Margo repeatedly promised a third building at the medical school, but failed to deliver. Meanwhile, I worked with the delegation to bring new funding to the medical school.

With Republicans holding 100 of the House’s 150 seats, Margo passed only one of the two minor bills he authored. Conversely, I passed high-impact bills that helped fight trans-national gangs and support domestic violence shelters.

The bottom line: I got more done for El Paso with 74 Democrats in the House than Margo got done with 100 Republicans. I’ll do even more when I’m elected in 2012.

Soon, you’ll receive an invitation to my Campaign Kick-Off. Between now and then, I would deeply appreciate a contribution of $25, $50, $100, $250 – or more Contribute. It takes generous contributions from people like you to run campaigns, and I want to get off to a fast start.

Thank you for all you’ve done for me before and all you will do this coming year. We’re going to win. We’re going to get El Paso back on track!

Onward,

Joe

PS – The day after the 2010 election, Dee Margo told the El Paso Times that he’d "resign if he is not effective during his first term." I guess we should expect his resignation any day now.