Rick Bolanos, Member of the Celebrated Vietnam Veteran Family, To Challenge Bonilla

During the Veterans march to San Antonio we heard a rumor that Rick Bolanos was going to address us when we arrived in San Antonio. A little bird told me he was looking to make a run for Congress and might announce at the event. He did not, but the some of the truth was contained in that rumor.

Rick is a member of the famous Bolanos brothers who I had the pleasure of introducing at our last state convention. They are all passionate speakers and well representative of the military pride and participation by so many in military service from our communities back home.

Rick who is an El Paso native, officially made the announcement that he intends to challenge District 23 Rep. Henry Bonilla, R-San Antonio, in next year's congressional election.

Bolanos, a Democrat, built up some name ID during the 2004 presidential race while accompanying U.S. Sens. John Kerry and John Edwards on the campaign trail.

He and his three brothers made headlines last year as "The Band of Brothers" for having all served in the Vietnam War. He says that background gives him cachet when asked about the war in Iraq.

The story as it appeared in the San Antonio Express newspaper is here.