Poncho Nevárez

Alfonso "Poncho" Nevárez, Jr. is a former Democratic member of the Texas House of Representatives. First elected in 2012, Nevárez announced in November 2019 that he would not seek re-election in 2020, a decision ultimately connected to his arrest for cocaine possession later that month.[1]

Poncho Nevárez
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the 74th district
In office
January 8, 2013 – January 12, 2021
Preceded byPete Gallego
Succeeded byEddie Morales
Personal details
Born (1972-09-01) September 1, 1972
Eagle Pass, Texas
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse(s)Rossy
ResidenceEagle Pass, Texas
Alma materUniversity of Texas
St. Mary's University School of Law
OccupationAttorney
Websitewww.ponchonevarez.com

Texas House of Representatives

Nevárez ran for and won the seat after longtime Democratic incumbent Pete Gallego left the office to make a successful run for the United States House of Representatives.

In May 2017, Republican state representative Matt Rinaldi called Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on protesters at the state capitol. Rinaldi said that after calling ICE, Nevárez "threatened my life on the House floor." Nevárez said that he put his hands on Rinaldi and told him to take his argument outside the House chamber, but denied threatening Rinaldi’s life.[2]

At the end of the 86th Texas legislative session in 2019, Texas Monthly included Nevárez on its 2019 "Worst Legislators" list. The magazine cited, among other reasons for the negative recognition, "Nevárez had used his own bill to try to turn a favor for a politically influential company that operates a radioactive waste dump in West Texas—a dump that’s not even in his district."[3]

In November 2019, Nevárez announced he would not be seeking re-election in 2020.[4]

Nevárez chaired the Border Security and Public Safety Committee, which oversaw the law enforcement agencies that were investigating him.[5]

Cocaine possession charges

Surveillance footage showed Nevárez dropping an envelope stuffed with cocaine as he was leaving Austin–Bergstrom International Airport in September 2019. Nevárez confirmed the cocaine was his and that the incident was the reason he was not seeking re-election. A warrant was issued for his arrest on felony drug possession charges.[6] On November 15, Nevárez turned himself in to authorities, and was released after posting a $10,000 bond.[1]

Personal life

Born in Eagle Pass, Texas, he is the son of Alfonso Nevárez Sr. and Guillermina Castillon.[7] Nevárez was the first member of his family to graduate from college. In 1999, Nevárez graduated from St. Mary's University School of Law.[8]

References
  1. Pollock, Cassandra; Svitek, Patrick (November 15, 2019). "State Rep. Poncho Nevárez turns himself in to authorities after dropping envelope with cocaine". Texas Tribune. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  2. Watkins, Matthew; Ura, Alexa; Aguilar, Julian (May 29, 2017). "Republican lawmaker: I called immigration authorities on Capitol protesters". Texas Tribune. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  3. "2019: The Best and Worst Legislators". Texas Monthly. June 18, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  4. Lee, Steffi (November 8, 2019). "Eagle Pass State Rep. Poncho Nevarez will not seek re-election". Your Basin. Retrieved November 14, 2019.
  5. Taylor, McKenzie (December 31, 2019). "Lies, Cocaine, and Dropouts: Top Texas Political Stories of 2019". The Texan. Austin, Texas. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  6. Pollock, Cassandra; Svitek, Patrick (November 14, 2019). "State Rep. Poncho Nevárez caught on tape at airport dropping envelope containing cocaine, DPS affidavit says". Texas Tribune. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  7. Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997
  8. "Rep. Nevárez, Poncho District 74". Texas House of Representatives. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
Texas House of Representatives
Preceded by
Pete Gallego		 Member of the
Texas House of Representatives
from the 74th district
2013–2021		 Succeeded by
Eddie Morales


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