WASHINGTON — While Congress was on break this August, Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo, popped up at over 60 events in his district, many of them to announce funding for local projects he secured from his longtime perch on the House Appropriations Committee.
Cuellar has used this time-tested style of retail politicking throughout his nearly 22 years in Congress, making himself a fixture at ribbon cuttings, high school graduation ceremonies and other community events across his South Texas district. Staring down another competitive race this fall, the “King of Laredo,” as he’s known to some constituents, is back at it touting dollars brought home for Title I public schools, health clinics and water line improvements.
