The Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) loves Coahuila. In February, its hugely popular former Gov. Humberto Moreira (2005-2010) was selected as the new national chairperson of the PRI. The charge carries the weighty responsibility of steering the party’s electoral strategy over the next 12 months in the run-up to the July 2012 presidential vote. Moreover, if the PRI retakes Los Pinos, as it is heavily favored to do (though much can happen during 12 months of campaigning), Humberto, a former public school teacher from our neighbor state, will be sitting pretty in one of Mexico’s most politically powerful offices.

And Coahuila loves the PRI.

Deep on the South Side of San Antonio stands the staunchly “independent” non-denominational Christ in Us Church Ministries, a house of worship that reflects a mostly Christian-based community through music, language, food and culture. For just a little over a decade, Joe Ruiz has found fulfillment in his role as pastor to a seemingly isolated demographic by encouraging an interest in world affairs through prayer and community outreach, along with a free bowl of soup on selected Wednesdays.

This week, I got a chance to chat with Ruiz and his wife Delia to learn more about their ministry.

Last March, Rick Perry came to San Antonio with conservative commentators Michael Reagan and Michael Medved for a stop on what was billed as the “America Unplugged” tour. That night, when a local Republican asked the governor about the GOP’s relationship with the Latino community, Perry could barely contain his glee.

“My brother-in-law is Hispanic and lives right here in San Antonio,” Perry gushed, drifting uncomfortably close to that old staple of culturally-tone-deaf white people: “Some of my best friends are black.” The moment was a reminder, however, that over the last two years Perry has worked to re-brand himself not only as a champion of the Tea Party movement, but also as a friend to the Latino community.

That’s why Perry’s recent decision to add a sanctuary-cities ban to the legislature’s special-session agenda is so problematic for him.

In a small village of the State of Mexico in the mountains outside of Mexico City, a dinosaur nest is rumored to be teeming with freshly hatched plans. There, in Atlacomulco, a cabal from the corrupt, corporatist wing of the Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) has spawned generations of powerful politicians, prominent figures who now reportedly hope to regain the presidential pinnacle of Los Pinos in 2010. These so-called dinosaurs, entrenched elites who resist efforts to democratize and modernize either the PRI or the Mexican government, are supporting scion Enrique Peña Nieto, current governor of the State of Mexico, more commonly known as Edomex (Estado de Mexico).

The beautifully framed photographs on display in the dramatically lavish office of Precinct 2 County Commissioner Paul Elizondo paint just a tiny part of the political life of the man who has been consistently elected to the position since 1987. A picture with President Jimmy Carter, First Lady Barbara Bush, two with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (I’d forgotten how young she used to look) — the list is truly glitter political.  

This week, I met Elizondo high on the 10th floor of the newly christened Paul Elizondo Tower on South Flores and Nueva to chat about his equally captivating lives in music and politics, quite certain that in all of Bexar County, there could be no better example of the quintessential renaissance man.

Mayor Julián Castro is doing his best to keep details of his search for the San Antonio Water System’s next chairperson out of the news. Which isn’t surprising considering how much of San Antonio’s socio-economic baggage weighs down a decision like this one. Castro is usually a cautious politician, so this particular appointment must be making his internal warning sirens howl.

Castro is expected to name a replacement for Alex Briseño, former City Manager and the utility’s current chairman, within two weeks, and he’s playing it very close to the vest. Nevertheless, several names have already slipped out: former Mayor Howard Peak; one-time interim Councilman Louis Rowe, a current SAWS trustee; and, intriguingly, attorney Liz Provencio, a trustee since 2009 and wife of State Representative Trey Martinez Fischer. Each has advocates whispering in Castro’s ear.