Choco Meza, longtime West Side activist, dead at 64 Eagle Pass native helped Clinton’s S.A. campaign

Meza came to San Antonio in 1971 and found a calling as a political activist and quickly became a leader for area and state Democrats. Meza came to San Antonio in 1971 and found a calling as a political activist and quickly became a leader for area and state Democrats. Image 1 of / 26 Caption Close Choco Meza, longtime West Side activist, dead at 64 1 / 26 Back to Gallery

Choco Meza, a Democratic Party organizer and longtime fixture in West Side politics, died early Sunday afternoon at the age of 64.

Meza, who was most recently an organizer for the Hillary Clinton campaign headquarters in San Antonio, had been quietly fighting a battle with cancer at University Hospital for the past two weeks, according to longtime friend Henry Cisneros.

Clinton tweeted her condolences, stating that she was “saddened by the passing of Choco Meza, a historic figure in Texas politics (and) beloved friend on our team. My prayers are with her family.”

Saddened by the passing of Choco Meza, a historic figure in Texas politics & beloved friend on our team. My prayers are with her family. -H pic.twitter.com/hxKzMnXctV — Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) October 9, 2016

Cisneros, a former San Antonio mayor, worked closely with Meza during his time as secretary of the U.S. Housing and Urban Development Department under President Bill Clinton. Cisneros said Meza’s tenacity and dedication to the Democratic cause were “unparalleled,” noting that she was working as recently as two weeks ago, despite the onset of the cancer.

“Choco has been a tireless force for change,” said Cisneros, noting that Meza was like a sister to him. “She’s touched so many lives by example … she’s a special human being.”

“I’ve seen so many San Antonio leaders pass away, but I’ve never seen anything like what happened with Choco” in the hospital, Cisneros continued. “These last few days, 30, 40 people — area leaders, politicians, friends, family — have been standing in the hospital hallways, in the waiting rooms, just waiting for a chance to say goodbye.”

Meza, an Eagle Pass native who came to San Antonio in 1971, found a calling in political activism and quickly became a leader among area Democrats. Most recently serving as an organizer for the Clinton campaign headquarters in San Antonio, Meza also served on the Democratic National Committee, as a chief of staff for District 5 Councilwoman Shirley Gonzalez and was elected Bexar County Democratic chair in 2011. Meza also worked for a variety of other institutions, including the San Antonio Housing Authority, after serving as deputy assistant secretary for Cisneros at HUD in the 1990s.

Former state Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, a “dear friend” of Meza’s for 40 years, said the pair “grew up together” while working on their first campaign in 1978, having children at similar times and working for Hillary Clinton together during the 2008 Democratic primaries.

“She had a constant energy and a core activism — she was an amazing fighter for social justice,” Van de Putte said. “She’s the type of friend who is in your corner when everybody else has turned their back on you.”

Van de Putte, who waited with Meza during the night hours of her hospital stay, said she was shocked by the time frame of Meza’s passing.

“Ten days ago, she thought it was (something minor), and to go from that … to knowing earlier this week that things weren’t going to go her way … she faced it with much bravery,” Van de Putte noted as she was on her way to a Democratic Party debate watch-party Sunday evening. “Everybody’s just going to hug and cry there … because now there’s a huge hole in this community.”

Texas Democratic Party Chairman Gilberto Hinojosa said in a statement that he “had no words” to describe the “energy and sheer force” Meza brought to her organizing efforts, and that the party had “lost a champion.”

“Texas families live with more opportunity today because of the service, advocacy, and fierce willpower of Choco Meza,” Hinojosa said. “Her impact on civil and voting rights, the Democratic Party, and the opportunity that the Latino community now experiences is immeasurable.”

Former state Rep. Pete Gallego was saddened to hear of his longtime friend’s death.

“María Elena and I are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Choco Gonzalez Meza, a true champion of Texas Democratic causes,” Gallego said. “Her example, her activism, her strength and her lifetime of service have left a mark on all who knew her and even on many who didn’t.”

Meza is survived by her husband, Daniel, daughter Ivalis, son Danny and granddaughter Emma.

“Her family meant the world to her,” Van de Putte added. “A doting grandmother — that was her life, too.”