As you likely know, Claudia Ordaz and Vince Perez are engaged to be married. Their marriage engagement is a private affair that for the most part is none of the electorates’ business, except for one important detail. As the El Paso Times reported, there are no laws that prevent the two politicians from marrying each other. The electorate knew, or should have known that both were a couple when they elected them into office so it should not affect what the electorate expected from them when they were elected.
Basically, the marriage engagement is nothing politically, except for the gossipers who like to scandalize political affairs. However, an actual marriage before their office terms are up may create a problem for their constituency. I realize some of you are thinking about “pillow talk” and working for each other’s political careers, but nothing stops them from doing just that today, as evidenced by Ordaz working to help Perez politically through the MPO.
The argument has been made that there is nothing wrong with both working in conjunction for the betterment of the greater community. Their respective constituencies somewhat overlap. The problem that has been pointed out is that in a representative form of government, votes are cast to have a representative represent the needs of the electorate who voted for the politician. Was Ordaz representing her electorate or was she representing her fiancé’s political interests when she brought up of the MPO controversy at city hall can be argued from both sides.
What the marriage may create is the problem of where the couple will live once they are married. Both candidates have residency requirements for their offices. Although they are likely to choose to live together after marriage, it is not a legal requirement and thus the issue may be moot.
However, if they choose a living accommodation outside of the political subdivision of either politician then one, or both would be in violation of the residency requirements of their offices. Because no official announcement has been made as to the actual date of the marriage, it is possible that part of their considerations for setting a date would be based on what they see as their political futures, individually or as a couple.
Therefore, until such time as a living accommodation is proven, their marriage has no relevance to either’s electorate.
And yet you wrote about it.
Perez’s home is in both District 6 and Precinct 3.
I live in Precinct 1 and in District 5 but I wish I lived in their districts. We like them.
Interesting point, keep in mind its an engagement. They could wait until their terms are completed or (not wishing anything) they could decide not to marry at all. The easy solution would be to allow them to reside together AFTER marriage or end of term. Then see what district and future plans.
Who cares! Geez…
this could be news IF these two actually were their own masters. All indicators so far show them being beholding to Susie, Beto, Veronica, Steve-oh, and their head priest Ray Caballero. Cut from the same cloth and given the jello which they love to eat.
Who will be the best man?