37 days: Corpus Christi finds lessons in mayor's political implosion

[Draggingtree]

Texas Tribune:

37 days: Corpus Christi finds lessons in mayor's political implosion

 

Fed up with lingering infrastructure problems, Corpus Christi voters turned to a political novice to run the city. In just over a month, he was gone, leaving behind political limbo — and some lessons.

 

by Jim Malewitz Feb. 9, 2017 3:11 AM

CORPUS CHRISTI — Joe Gazin, the veteran KIII-TV anchorman, threw Mayor Dan McQueen a simple pitch during a chat at a police foundation breakfast last month: Come on his newscast and explain what the heck was going on.

 

Just weeks into his tenure, controversies had enveloped McQueen like a Gulf Coast fog. There were charges of nepotism, questions about his credentials and plenty of cringing about his not-so-truthful Facebook tirades. But here was Gazin, dressed in his blue suit and red tie, offering McQueen a chance to tell voters his side of the story.

 

The newsman earned a maybe after some cajoling, but he wasn’t betting that McQueen would show up. The new mayor had shut out journalists since his shocking Election Day victory, blaming them — along with other city leaders — for Corpus Christi’s struggles.

[Draggingtree]

The Brief: Corpus Christi's new mayor resigned after 37 days. What happened?

by Sanya Mansoor and Bobby Blanchard Feb. 9, 2017 2Comments

Disgruntled Corpus Christi voters elected a political outsider to run the city last year. After 37 days, the mayor resigned. Here’s what happened.

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