RUDY BELL

Rudy Bell's parents kept their advice short and sweet. Said his father: "Look a person straight in the eye and give him a firm handshake." Said his mother: "Never forget your roots. Hold your head high with pride."

Bell, State Senator Eddie Palacios' chief of staff, was raised in Las Prietas, one of Brownsville's oldest barrios. He graduated from Brownsville High in 1991 and from UTRGV in 1999 with a major in political science and history. He is currently pursuing a master's degree from Texas A&M in public policy and management.

"My father is a preacher and he fulminates from the pulpit, but he proved decades ago that politics and religion don't have to be mutually exclusive," continued Bell.

"He was County Judge Oscar Dancy's executive assistant for years. From my earliest years I can remember accompanying my father to pachangas, holding signs and meeting the movers and shakers. These experiences have stood me in good stead.

"During and after college I held various jobs, but the several years I spent with the Attorney General's office in the child support unit was the most educational although my stint at the city's golf course in the Brownsville Country Club was the most fun," explained O'Bell who recently recorded a hole-in-one on the 18th at the links to defeat the fabled Adrian Garcia by one stroke.

"He was up a stroke," recalled Bell. "Just as he hit his tee shot I said he should use his wife's influence on the school board to finagle the athletic director's post. I unraveled him and his wedge sailed over the green. I hit a soft nine and the ball plunked five feet from the flag and rolled into the hole. Adrian didn't even attempt his chip."

Bell remained active in politics. He participated in several campaigns. A San Antonio judge recruited him to coordinate the Rio Grande Valley for a statewide race.

"I'm a natural sign-holder," chuckled Bell. "Through the years my list of contacts has grown extensively. I have a great base of people. I've tried to find the middle ground. I have been courteous, ethical and careful not to burn bridges."

The state senator enlisted Bell in his inaugural campaign in 2007. He eked out a majority against three other candidates. This year he is seeking a fourth term without opposition in the primary but a Republican looming in the general election.

"My boss in a natural," said Bell. "Politicians from both sides of the aisle respect him and he prides himself on being a consensus builder."

The senator represents a district that includes North and West Brownsville, Military Highway, San Benito and half of Harlingen. Bell notes that the varied constituency makes for a challenging juggling act, but he insists that his boss moves easily in any crowd, from la raza to the county club Anglos.

Bell is confident that the senator will win reelection, but he admits that the Cameron County Democrats have taken a beating with the numerous scandals. He calls the entire situation "embarrassing" with traditional Democrats expressing their lack of trust in the party.

"It has been hard to accept this change in the attitude toward my party, but I wouldn't despair," he cautioned. "We can't be reactive. We have to fight the budget cuts that have a ripple effect on employment. The funding formula for the budget is a disaster. We must completely overhaul it.

"We're fighting for a second causeway to South Padre Island. We will regain the confidence of our people because we are taking a positive approach. The Republicans coalesce around negativity. They don't want to build. They want to destroy.

"I believe the tide has turned. Brownsville is going places. You can feel the energy from downtown to the mall. The senator is excited about the future and his staff reflects that same enthusiasm. We're here to make a difference and we will."