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District 41 candidate switches political parties
Posted: 03.09.2012 at 6:16 PM
Updated: 03.09.2012 at 6:35 PM
Katie Lopez

Katie Lopez is a reporter for Action 4 News.

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“Inequality”, Miriam Martinez said, is what prompted her to make the difficult decision to change parties and become a Republican before the upcoming District 41 elections.

New to the political game, Miriam Martinez said she has seen her share of ‘dirty politics.”

From day one, when she ran as a Democrat in District 40, Martinez said she never received help from the Hidalgo County Democratic Party.

"The treatment that I got from Dolly Elizondo was pretty unfair," Martinez said.

Once the redistricting maps were finalized, Martinez was pushed into District 41 and pitted against democratic newcomer Bobby Guerra.

"I saw a lot of abuse of power and my chances weren't equal,” Martinez said. “It was not an equal playing field."

The change would give Martinez a chance to push through the primary election and get on to the November ballot.

"I feel confident that now there is opportunity for whoever runs in District 41." said Martinez

Action 4 News took Martinez’s claims to Dolly Elizondo, chairperson for the Hidalgo County Democratic Party.

She said Martinez is using them as a scapegoat because she has been jumping around from district to district.

Elizondo told Action 4 News, it is her job to guide candidates through the election process and said she did offer help to Martinez in the beginning.

Elizondo said Martinez did not have any issues with them until just recently.

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