Laredo Morning Times: Rep. Cuellar speaks for first time following raid
Henry Cuellar spoke with the Laredo Morning Times over the weekend and it did not go well.
Highlighted below is every time he refused to answer a question regarding the FBI raid on his home and campaign office.
Cuellar also emphasizes the “outpouring of support” he’s received and says his reputation is still intact…but if he has so much support why did his campaign tell Politico it’s holding on releasing its endorsement list?
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Rep. Cuellar speaks for first time following raid
Jorge A. Vela
Laredo Morning Times
January 30, 2022
https://www.lmtonline.com/news/article/Rep-Cuellar-speaks-for-first-time-following-raid-16817844.php
It’s been a little more than a week after the Federal Bureau of Investigation raided the home and office of U.S. Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28).
This week, Cuellar spoke to LMT in his first interview since the incident. And although the congressman did not delve into specifics concerning the case, he did shed light on how it affected him, his family and also how he continues to work in Congress amid the scandal.
“Last week was tough on myself and the family, but I really appreciate the support that I have gotten from so many people on this situation,” Cuellar said. “As I said last week, I am fully cooperating with law enforcement and want to make sure that justice and the law is upheld. This ongoing investigation will show that there is no wrongdoing on my part.”
Cuellar was asked whether he had any comment to a recent Texas Tribune article that stated the congressman “has touted the ‘vast opportunity to strengthen South Texas’ relationship with Azerbaijan’” when it came to trips for TAMIU students to be able to travel to the country to study energy, business and policy. Trips he facilitated himself.
“This is an ongoing investigation, so we will be cooperating and show that there was no wrongdoing,” he said.
This month, the representative’s ties with Azerbaijan have generated new interest after the FBI raid. ABC News reported it was part of a federal grand jury probe. Subpoenas by the news outlet reportedly sought records from a number of organizations with ties to Azerbaijan, in addition to three Texas-based companies with ties to Cuellar’s wife, Imelda.
The congressman responded similarly to a question as to whether he has visited the country of Azerbaijan, which the Texas Tribune article recently stated he has traveled to the country, at least one of those times with his wife in 2013.
He also elaborated little as to whether he knew or not ahead of time of the raid at his home and office.
“It has been difficult for all of us of course, but again we’ve got strength as a family, and we have been getting a lot of support from our friends and family members,” Cuellar said.
Cuellar says his family has been able to go back to their homes and offices following the raid.
He also does not believe the FBI raid has caused his reputation to be affected whether it is locally or even with his colleagues at the House of Representatives.
“They know me, they know my work, they know the work that I do, they know what I have done for many years as a state rep or as a congressman, they know the work I have created with the health insurance the Texas grant and all that,” he said. “So the outpouring of support from so many people in my community is personally something I want to say is humbling, and I am thankful. Personally, I want to thank them for having my back as I have had their backs for years, and I appreciate humbly that they have my back now.”
The country of Azerbaijan is a ex-Soviet country with a “troubled recent history on issues like corruption and civil rights,” according to The Texas Tribune.
Cuellar’s connections to the nation have been a point of curiosity since last week’s raid. Azerbaijan has had a complex history since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.
With an economy primarily based on oil and exports, since gaining independence it has developed a a reputation for corruption and dynastic leadership, according to the Tribune.
Per the outlet: “The CIA World Factbook describes it as a place where ‘corruption remains a burden on the economy, and Western observers and members of the country’s political opposition have accused the government of authoritarianism, pointing to elections that are neither free nor fair, state control of the media, and the systematic abuse of human rights targeting individuals and groups who are perceived as threats to the administration.’”
The congressman would not address his connections to the nation in this weeks interview, and he says he continues to do the important work he was set out to do both at home in his district and in the capitol.
“We are continuing the business of government as we are working on constituency cases, people that need help, veterans, passports and whatever they might need,” Cuellar said. “We are continuing all the work the way I have always had.”
The congressman is in the middle of a heated campaign race. First elected to the position in 2004, he has been a fixture leading the Laredo area now for decades. But he narrowly edged challenger Jessica Cisneros in 2020 getting 51.8% of the vote, and Cisneros is back along with another challenger in Tannya Benavides for the primary, and seven Republicans also are looming for the general election in November as they will be competing in their own March primary in Ed Cabrera, Steven Fowler, Cassy Garcia, Eric Hohman, Rolando Rodriguez, Willie Vasquez Ng and Sandra Whitten.
Cuellar says he doesn’t know when the investigation might finish, and if it will be complete before the primary. But with a crowded field and a looming legal case, Cuellar may be at his most vulnerable since taking over the position around 18 years ago.
“This is something that is an ongoing investigation and our attorneys will handle this, so I cannot comment on (the investigation’s possible end) as I do not have (any) idea,” Cuellar said.
As the investigation continues, the congressman says he continues to work as he has always done while focusing on his reelection campaign.
“As a congressman, I have always done things the right way and will continue doing the right things, but I will tell you that I am right for re-election,” Cuellar said. “I am going to win this race, and we intend to be the congressman as I win re-election. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
At the moment, he says he has no intentions of changing his strategy to win the upcoming March primary election. But he does say that his plan is to try to win one voter at a time as he hopes to come back from the current challenge he faces.