Tejano Voices

Victor Morales

(177 KB, 85 pg)

Biography:
Born November 15, 1949, in Racine, Wisconsin, Morales was a City Council member in Crandall, Texas, and the first Mexican American Democratic Party nominee for the U.S. Senate in the General Election in 1996. He sought election to the 5th Congressional District seat in 1998, and in 2002 sought the Democratic Party's nomination for United States Senate. Morales is a graduate of Texas A & I University in Kingsville where he earned a Bachelor's degree in physical education. He has taught in Texas public schools since 1977.

Interview Summary:
This second interview with Victor Morales begins with a review of his accomplishments as a city councilman for Crandall, Texas. He gives details about his grassroots campaign for the Democratic Party nomination for the U.S. Senate, and his campaign against Phil Gramm. Morales talks about problems he faced during his political campaigns, which include raising money to support his political endeavors and obtaining Democratic Party financial support. He elaborates upon his perceptions of Phil Gramm's character and discusses Senator Gramm's campaign tactics. He discusses the role of the media in discrediting his candidacy largely by ignoring him in newspaper write-ups and coverage. Morales comments on the lack of moral and financial support offered by Mexican American organizations. He identifies the Mexican American Democrats as the only organization to give him financial backing. Morales discusses his role at the Democratic National Convention for Clinton's 1996 nomination for President, and he describes his thoughts and emotions upon being interviewed by all the major television networks and receiving positive comments on his speech performance from notable congressional Democrats and Hillary Clinton. He concludes the interview by stating that he hopes that voters will learn to understand his personality and not let it sway them from voting for him for public office because his agenda is solid and does not include special interest groups' agendas.

Locations of residence or activity: Crandall
Interview date: 7/2/1996


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