Texas Insider

Jim Landtroop, the Republican candidate to unseat Joe Heflin for District 85 state representative, was asked to leave the park after Fiesta Campesina organizer Rey Rosas said he did not have proper authorization to campaign at the event that attracted some 3,500 people.  “As soon as we entered, we were verbally attacked by Mr. Rosas from the stage,” Landtroop said. “He told us that the Landtroops were not welcome.”  

Landtroop said he was at the park for about three hours and was constantly followed by Rosas’ representatives. In addition, Landtroop said Rosas “kept verbally attacking us” from the stage.

Landtroop, meanwhile, this morning called Rosas “a political bully” who was trying to censure freedom of speech. The disagreement between Fiesta Campesina organizers and the local political candidate turned heated Sunday afternoon in Broadway Park.

The issue started last week when Landtroop said his campaign manager called to enquire about renting a booth at Fiesta Campesina. While apparently there was some question as to whether political candidates should be considered non-profit and thus have their rental fees waived, ultimately Landtroop said they were quoted a price of $300 for a political booth.

Landtroop said his campaign manager asked Fiesta Campesina organizers on Friday if any other political booths had been rented. After being told none were, they decided not to have a booth either.

But, apparently, Heflin and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Bill White did rent booth space. As a result, Heflin and White were able to post campaign material at the event, and Heflin spoke on stage with Rosas translating to the mostly-Hispanic crowd.

Rosas said Landtroop’s office was told on two occasions that he would not be welcome at Fiesta Campesina without paying the fee.

“I told them I didn’t want no surprises,” Rosas said. “If you do (show up), I will have my staff watching.”

Landtroop, however, said the first time he heard he was not welcome at the event was shortly after he and his wife, Cathy, and their three children arrived at the park.

Rosas said, “Other people already paid to be out there, and I wasn’t going to let (Landtroop campaign for free).”

Landtroop said he was not handing out campaign material, only introducing himself and shaking hands.

“He was politicking,” Rosas said.

Landtroop said three people approached him and his family to “escort us off the premises,” prompting interference by the police.

Rosas said police informed him that Landtroop had a right to be there.

“They said, ‘We cannot ask him to leave because that’s a public park (and) anybody’s welcome to be here,’ ” Rosas said.

Wanting to make sure Landtroop wasn’t handing out campaign material, Rosas had representatives follow the politician around the park.

“We wanted to make sure they didn’t give out any cards or flyers or anything,” he said. “It’s not fair that the other politicians paid their dues and this one didn’t. It’s not right.”

Rosas said proceeds from the event go to fund scholarships. Landtroop said had he been told that, “We would have been happy to donate money.”

Landtroop said it boils down to “whether an event open to the public at a public park is available to everyone, regardless of political affiliation.

“While we were there, we were warmly welcomed by citizens we met with. It was only one individual person who supports my opponent who had an issue with us being there.

“We’re not going to let the actions of one political operative intimidate us from sharing our vision for West Texas with all of West Texas.”

State Rep. Pete Gallego of Alpine also attended the event in support of Heflin. Andy Wilson of Lubbock, the Democratic challenger to U.S. Rep. Randy Neugebauer, also was on hand.

Rosas said Wilson did not pay his fee in advance but did so at the event. “I said, ‘Perfect, no problem,’ ” Rosas said.

When contacted this morning about the controversy, Heflin said he is steering clear of it. “That’s their deal,” he said. “I donated my money.” Heflin said his office donated $200 to Fiesta Campesina.

Rosas said the confrontation with Landtroop was unfortunate but that the event otherwise was successful.

“We had a big, big turnout,” he said. “Everything was going really nice and pretty.”

Kevin Lewis is Editor of the Plainview Herald & MyPlainview.com in Plainview, TX.  He can be reached at 806-296-1353.