Democratic candidate among South Texans targeted in AG election fraud investigation

AUSTIN — A prominent Latino civil rights group said Friday at least five South Texas residents, including a Democratic state House candidate, were the targets of raids by a Texas attorney general’s office investigation into alleged election fraud.
Gabriel Rosales, Texas director for the League of United Latin American Citizens, said his organization had received “alarming” reports from South Texans whose homes were targeted by law enforcement, including one where agents “forcibly” broke in through the front door.
“It is disgraceful and outrageous that the state of Texas, and its highest-ranking law enforcement officer, is once again using the power of his office to instill fear in the hearts of community members who volunteer their time to promote civic engagement,” Rosales said in an emailed statement.
“I have been contacted by elderly residents who are confused and frightened, wondering why they have been singled out,” he said.
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Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office announced Wednesday that multiple search warrants had been executed in Frio, Atascosa and Bexar counties “as part of an ongoing election integrity investigation.”
The warrants were the result of a referral from 81st Judicial District Attorney Audrey Louis “regarding allegations of election fraud and vote harvesting that occurred during the 2022 elections,” the office said, adding that additional information would not be provided because it relates to an ongoing investigation.
Manuel Medina, chief of staff for state Rep. Liz Campos, D-San Antonio, told The Dallas Morning News in a brief phone interview that he was among those served with a warrant.
He described the search as an “overreach” by Paxton but declined to comment further.
Rosales told The Dallas Morning News that five people had their homes raided: one in Atascosa County and two each in Bexar and Frio counties.
Those served with a search warrant included Cecilia Castellano, a candidate for an open seat in Texas House District 80, which is represented by retiring Democratic Rep. Tracy King of Uvalde. The Houston Chronicle first reported that Castellano was served with a warrant.
Rosales said each person had their electronic devices taken to search for voter information they weren’t supposed to have. Rosales called the allegation “completely false,” saying any voter information was publicly available for purchase from the county.
“That’s what information we have,” he said. “Because we do phone banks and so forth and so on. That’s where we’ll get our info from. They’re pointing to their innuendos that there was information — illegal information on voter information — that we should not have had. So no one’s clear as to what they’re talking about.”
The raids occurred Tuesday, Rosales added.
Paxton’s office didn’t immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Castellano’s campaign said the candidate wasn’t immediately available Friday.
Rosales said his organization was considering filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice in hopes of stopping what he called Paxton’s “reckless and hate-fueled actions.”
“Attorney General Paxton’s actions clearly aim to suppress the Latino vote through intimidation and any means necessary to tilt the electoral process in favor of his political allies,” he said.
In Wednesday’s announcement, Paxton defended the raids, saying “secure elections are the cornerstone of our republic.”
“We were glad to assist when the District Attorney referred this case to my office for investigation. We are completely committed to protecting the security of the ballot box and the integrity of every legal vote. This means ensuring accountability for anyone committing election crimes,” his statement said.