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CommentsI’m not Juan
Staff
A simple name change seems like a small thing, but it magnifies a long-time political tussle between Latino Democratic state legislators Ben Miranda and Robert Meza
The most recent squabble broke out when Juan Vazquez Valdez, a Democratic candidate for House District. 14, wrote his name as “John” when he filed ballot paperwork this year.
Juan now John claims he was so proud of becoming an immigrated U.S. citizen in 2007, he assumed the new English name to show he’s assimilated into American society.
Hey, the same name-change game has happened plenty of times to “retro Latinos,” like going from Louis to Luis, or Carl to Carlos. It goes both ways, so the fuss in Phoenix’s northwest district ain’t about names. It’s about political power.
So when Democrat Chad Campbell appeared in a local newspaper article accusing opponent Valdez of changing his name to hide a conviction of shooting a weapon a decade ago, it wasn’t too hard to put Juan and John together and come up with the dos hidden behind the scenes: Miranda and Meza.
Miranda is advising Valdez, and he’s the chair of the state Legislature’s Latino Caucus. Together with his brother, Senate whip Richard Miranda, the two have consolidated a power base in the Legislature. Word on the calle is that the Mirandas have tried more than once to run somebody against Meza, who tends to be an independent spirit, and will cross the aisle to join with Republicans on an issue he believes in.
Meza is advising Campbell. Meza is Campbell’s district seatmate and was his campaigning partner in the past election. Meza has admitted to LP Journal that Ben Miranda “doesn’t like me.” Meza is the only Latino legislator that is not a member of the Latino Caucus, which both Mirandas have chaired.
This is one race to watch. Miranda has already come out punching, accusing Meza and Campbell of mounting a smear campaign against Valdez. Both these guys are tough competitors, but right now it looks like Meza has Juan up on Miranda.
Reader Comments:
Great analysis, too often missing in the mainstream media.
I love it. Keep the political gossip going. It's what most folks say behind closed doors and what most will keep silent during face time.
These two guys have their enemies and fiends. It should get interesting.
Isn't Robert a Latino Why is he not a member of the Latino Caucus. I hope he is pushing legislation that behooves who he is. Hopefully no one loses prospective of the struggles that we have as Latinos. We cannot change the color of our skin and must work together on many issues to support us as a whole whatever differences we have.