Meet the good old boys

As with all political endeavors, rich people like to get involved in politics, and Mike Hernandez’s campaign has its share of amateurs. While Mr. Chick-fil-A is running the campaign from Griffith as his chief financial officer, Hernandez’s financier is banker Mike Boyd.

Bankers make excellent politicians behind the scenes because they can wield enormous influence due to the enormous amount of money they control. By controlling money, even other people’s money, bankers build excellent relationships deep in the business world. Boyd was particularly good at this. Before he retired, a visit to his windowed office on the first floor of the old First Financial Bank building was a must if you wanted to find out if he or she had a chance of successfully running for office.

I made one such trip in 2015. I wanted to know how he felt about the re-election of former police chief Tim Vasquez, who is running for re-election in 2016. I learned that he was supporting Frank Carter, but he told me that in a sort of banker way, leaving the door open, at least for me, that he could switch sides. I doubt he would have done that.

Over the years, I have agreed and disagreed with Boyd about who he supports politically, but it was always interesting to learn why. I never doubted his intentions, even when he didn’t want to support me. Boyd tries to do what he believes is in the best interest of San Angelo. He is always looking for qualified people to fill important local public offices. I believe this became a hobby for him during his time as a banker. He served as interim director of the Chamber of Commerce at least twice. He served on the board of directors of the Shannon Trust. Unlike other board members, he had to forego pay because of his work as a banker, but he still stayed on for many years. He is instrumental in the close working relationship between local governments – county, city, school districts – and Goodfellow Air Force Base. Two Altus Trophies and the millions of federal and state dollars spent on Goodfellow Air Force Base are testament to that.

Boyd never, ever asked me to do anything political except tell the truth. I’m sure he disagreed with my version of events a time or two, but he didn’t pester me about it. And there’s hope for the future. Boyd has been helping raise money for the annual July 3rd fireworks display for a few years now.

One day I may be able to convince Boyd that a former Aggie Corps fellow and military reservist deserves more, but that day will likely be many years away from this editorial. This article confirms that I am too crazy for his wealthy and moderate banking sentiments.

Similarly, the Chick-fil-A guy in Griffith must not be happy that I didn’t join his cause, because as the campaign heated up, Griffith began deliberately isolating, personalizing, and attacking me and my company.

In the financial filings so far, Chick-fil-A guy Watkins donated $7,000 to the Griffith campaign, and we witnessed his sign-making at his daughter’s camp on the Concho River. He’s insanely smart. He’s the campaign treasurer listed on Griffith’s financial reports. I wonder if he’s also the maker of Google Maps? He’s turned me down on two meetings, so he remains a mystery.

The biggest question on my mind is: If I support Griffith’s opponent, why would I ever eat at Chick-fil-A again when Cane’s is right across the street?

The core idea of ​​this article is that all candidates have good old boys behind them. As a voter, it is your job to decide which of them deserve your vote.