A Latino civil rights group is demanding a federal investigation into the Texas attorney general’s office following raids on the homes of several Democrats in the San Antonio area. These raids were conducted as part of an investigation into alleged vote harvesting. Manuel Medina, chief of staff for Democrat state Rep. Elizabeth “Liz” Campos, was among those served with a search warrant during the raid on his home. The homes of Democrat state house candidate Cecilia Castellano and members of the Texas League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) were also searched.
Medina, who is a former head of the Bexar County Democratic Party and a political consultant for Castellano’s campaign, has not been charged with any crimes related to these raids. However, LULAC officials have expressed outrage and accused authorities of voter suppression.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton released a statement explaining that warrants were issued as part of an ongoing election integrity case in Frio, Atascosa, and Bexar counties. The investigation was initiated based on allegations of election fraud and vote harvesting during the 2022 election.
In response to these raids, LULAC leaders, state legislators, and activists staged a protest outside Paxton’s San Antonio office. They accused him of targeting Latinos for political gain and called on the Civil Rights Office of the Department of Justice to investigate his office.
Roman Palomares, national president of LULAC, stated at the protest that this was voter intimidation and vowed to fight for every Latino’s right to vote. He also mentioned that at least six members’ homes had been searched.
The video footage from this protest was posted on Castellano’s facebook page where it was suggested that Paxton’s motivation behind these raids was to benefit her Republican challenger Don McLaughlin Jr., former Uvalde Mayor.
State senator José Menéndez spoke at the rally and blamed school vouchers for these actions by authorities. He claimed that they were counting votes in order to pass legislation like vouchers which he believed Governor Abbott considered important enough to do anything necessary.
Agents from Texas’ Election Integrity Unit seized documents, computers, and cell phones from Medina’s home as well as Castellano’s home along with other LULAC members’ residences. Lydia Martinez reported that her home had been raided early in morning hours by nine officers who questioned her about her voter registration activities before confiscating her devices.
Paxton has made election integrity one his top priorities while serving as attorney general stating their commitment towards protecting ballot box security along with ensuring integrity in every legal vote casted.