Former Railroad Commissioner Lena Guerrero dies

Former Texas Railroad Commissioner Lena Guerrero — a woman once seen as a rising star among Texas Democrats, but who resigned under a political cloud — has died.

Guerrero, 50, had been diagnosed with cancer eight years earlier, and previously received treatment in California for malignant brain tumors.

A family member reported Thursday that Guerrero died in here sleep overnight.

Guerrero served 20 months on the Texas Railroad Commission after having been appointed to the post by the Gov. Ann Richards in 1991. Guerrero was the first woman and first Mexican-American to serve on the panel.

Guerrero was also known for her hard-ball political style and her quick intellect, but her political career unraveled after revelations that she lacked a University of Texas diploma that she had been claiming for a dozen years.

She asked for the public’s forgiveness and resigned, and then campaigned to re-take her seat. She lost the statewide election in November, 1992.

The Gov. Rick Perry ordered flags at half-staff at all state facilities.

Comments

[Raymond Daniel]

I'm very sad to hear about the passing of Lena Guerrero. Lena was the president of the Texas Young Democrats when I was president of the Young Democrats at UTA. I never knew her personally, but remember that she was very gracious to me in a phone conversation about the Young Democrats in the very early 1980s.

Her early death is a reminder of our own mortality. Peace be to her family at this difficult time.

[Ruby Woolridge]

I met Lena when I was a candidate for a county office. I did not win the office but I won the friendship of a great lady. She opened the doors of the Railroad Commission to me in a way that most private citizens never get to see. When things were tough for me or my family she always encouraged me. I will cherish her kindness forever. My thoughts and prayers are with her family.

Ruby Woolridge
Former SDEC
Senatorial District 10