As in most south Texas towns, Mexican Americans in Crystal City (pop. 10,000) outnumber Anglo-Americans roughly 4 to 1. But not until two years ago did they muster enough voting strength to elect their own people to local office. Then, a group called the Political Association of Spanish-Speaking Organizations (PASO) launched a get-out-the-vote drive, produced a winning slate of five Mexican American city councilmen. It was the first time that Anglos had not controlled the municipal administration, and it was hailed as a harbinger of change throughout south Texas politics.
But once in office, the new city councilmen began bickering among themselves....
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