San Antonio mayoral hopeful calls fellow council member a ‘poverty pimp’ during pay debate

During a contentious debate Thursday over raising pay for San Antonio elected officials, Councilman Manny Pelaez — a mayoral candidate — called council colleague Jalen McKee-Rodriguez and local social-justice advocates “poverty pimps.” “Poverty pimp” is a derogatory term used to describe people who exploit the vulnerability and suffering of marginalized communities for personal gain. Pelaez’s verbal broadside came during a discussing of six charter amendments council approved at the meeting to go before San Antonio voters this fall.