Quico Canseco announces bid for District 28 Congressional seat

 

Laredo attorney Francisco “Quico” Canseco has announced his bid for US Congress District 28, a newly created district that encompasses the counties of Zapata, Freer, La Salle, Atascosa, McMullen, Wilson , Guadalupe, eastern and southern portions of Webb County , the southern portion of Bexar County , and small portions of Comal and Hays. Canseco, who will square off in the March 9, 2004 Republican primary with Seguin attorney James "Jim" F. Hopson and San Antonio attorney Gabriel "Gabe" Perales, will face either Democratic incumbent Ciro Rodriguez of San Antonio or former State Representative Henry Cuellar of Laredo in the November 2004 election.

Canseco, who was educated at St. Joseph 's Academy and Culver Military Academy , received a BA in History and a JD from St. Louis University in Saint Louis , Missouri . He is a practicing attorney in Laredo .

He was admitted to the State Bar of Texas in 1975 and began work with current Senior District Judge George Kazen and former district attorney Carlos Castillon, Sr. Canseco has been associated with the firm of Person, Whitworth, Borchers and Morales and as general counsel for the Union National Bank of Texas . He served as Treasurer of the Laredo-Webb County Bar Association in 1978 and as Secretary in 1984. He was selected by the State Bar of Texas to serve on District 12 Committee on Admissions, State Board of Law Examiners, which reviewed the integrity of candidates to the State Bar and served on the committee for four years. He is a member of the Texas Association of School Boards Council of School Attorneys. He is a member of the board of directors of the Hondo National Bank, servings as chair of the board of the bank's holding company, Texas Heritage Bancshares.

He has served as president of his family's various commercial real estate ventures. With his mother Consuelo and his brothers and sisters, Canseco established the Canseco Family Foundation in memory of his father, Dr. F. M. Canseco, who practiced medicine in Laredo for over 50 years. The family's initial gift resulted in the second major building at Texas A&M International University which houses the Canseco Nursing School . The Canseco Family Foundation supports organizations including Casa de Misericordia, Laredo Public Library, Mercy Casita, Laredo Kidney Foundation, Laredo Children's Advocacy Center , and many others.

Canseco currently serves on the City of Laredo Charter Review Committee . He serves on the board of United Day School , St. Augustine Schools , and Oldfields School in Glencoe , Maryland . He was a founding member of the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra and served as executive vice-president of the Laredo Civic Music Association, as volunteer attorney for the Laredo Children's Museum, and has held many community organizational memberships over the years.

“I am motivated by an overwhelming desire to serve not only my fellow citizens, but also the great State of Texas . I want to put my talents to best use for the 28th district,” Canseco said of his candidacy for Congress. “My experience has shown me the value of a balanced, strategic approach to difficult issues, and my concern for the ever-growing needs of this district are what led me to run. From the White House to the Texas State House, Republicans hold the majority. My candidacy will make the most of this situation for the betterment of all people in the 28th District.

“I stand for progress, opportunity, education, business investment, and job growth. I support our soldiers, our sailors, our air force, and our veterans. I seek increased educational attainment for our children; continuing support of our farmers and our ranchers; improved benefits for our military families; increased commerce and trade both for business growth and job creation; and improvement of the quality of life for all Texans of the 28thDistrict,” he said.

Canseco said he advocates traditional values and strong principles as the key to success and that his campaign “stands for progress through opportunities in education, through business growth and increased job prospects.” He said, “I am for security in our homes, in our schools, streets, and businesses, and along our borders; a security that recognizes the constant threat of international terrorism and illegal drug traffic, while developing the opportunities of free trade, free travel, and the free movement of commerce across our borders.

“My campaign stands for a strong families; healthy, happy, educated children; viable healthcare and accessible prescription medicine; improved Social Security and tax relief. I will always work to assure the highest quality of life for our military and our veterans. You will always be able to count on my integrity, and most of all I will focus Washington on the needs of the citizens of the 28th district,” he said.

Canseco is a practicing Catholic and has been married to the former Gloria Zúñiga of Laredo for nearly 25 years. His daughter Anna Cecilia is a teacher with the Laredo Independent School District ; his sons are UTSA student Quico, Jr., and Alexander High School freshman Carlos Alberto.