The most senior member of the Legislature and his desk mate were political buddies who both grew up poor at opposite ends of the Texas border.

Both served in the U.S. Marine Corps.

And both are licking their wounds after suffering upset losses at the hands of younger, female Hispanics in the Democratic primary March 4.

Rep. Paul Moreno, D-El Paso, first elected to the state House 42 years ago, lost to Marisa Marquez, 29. Moreno's House floor desk mate, Rep. Juan Escobar, D-Kingsville, lost to Dr. Tara Rios Ybarra, 36.

"They were very well financed, very good-looking women — young," Moreno, 76, said of the two candidates who ended the political careers of seasoned veterans.

"I realized I was going to go down when I saw the change in voter turnout and all the new folks. I'm just getting over it right now," Moreno said several days after his crushing defeat. "I have too many things to do. I'll call it the new era of Paul Moreno."

He plans to start a foundation that teaches El Paso youngsters the value of public service, public policy and helping the community.

Escobar, Moreno's political soul mate, said he was saddened after realizing his own political career had ended.

"But then you say, 'It's over. There's nothing I can do about it.' It's like your best friend dies on you, and you have to face reality," Escobar said.

The message in the respective defeats to young challengers?

"Obviously, experience does not count," Escobar speculated.

Escobar and Moreno also might have been affected by large primary turnouts of women voters for Hillary Clinton, who finished exceptionally strong in their areas.

Marquez, who defeated Moreno in El Paso, credited both Democratic presidential hopefuls, Clinton and Barack Obama for inspiring large voter turnouts.

"Hillary Clinton, as a woman, brought out the woman vote," she said. "I think both of them were instrumental in creating the positive feedback."

More than 16,000 voters cast ballots in Moreno's inner-city El Paso legislative district, compared with 9,760 votes in 2002, when Moreno last faced a primary opponent.

Marquez said she has "nothing against Mr. Moreno" and downplays the ouster of a longtime, old-style male politician by a young woman.

"It shows that there is a change and renewal in the community," she said. "I have given (Moreno) his due credit at every opportunity, but I think it was time for the community to be actively involved in their government."

Escobar, 57, got outspent by at least $352,744 to $174,414. Much of his opponent's money came from Republican-friendly groups and individuals.

"There was too much money to overcome," Escobar said, adding he believes Rios Ybarra will have trouble representing the district.

"This district is a Democratic district. She will either vote her district, and the Republicans will come after her," he said. "If she votes for the Republicans, we'll know about it right away."

Rios Ybarra received about $110,000 from Texans for Lawsuit Reform, her largest contributor, and another $25,000 from Bob Perry, a wealthy Houston homebuilder who generally supports GOP candidates and causes.

Rios Ybarra said her priority issues coincide with the needs of the sprawling South Texas district. She supports affordable health care for all Texans, fully funded public education and teacher pay raises, and an expansion of Medicaid and CHIP enrollments.

"But I also believe that a strong business community is good for South Texas and all of Texas," she said.

Speculation persists that the incoming Democrat will align herself with Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick. But Rios Ybarra said she has no idea whom she will support.

Moreno didn't take phone calls the day after his long House career ended — except from his desk mate.

"We think alike, and we like each other a lot — and then both of us went down the drain," Moreno said.

"Juan and I both grew up extremely poor. We made it. We served our country. We did everything possible to be a good citizen, and yet we don't get any credit for it," said Moreno, who has navigated from a wheelchair since a paralyzing swimming accident more than 50 years ago.

The young challenger who defeated him, though, likes Moreno's plan for engaging students in public service.

"I wish I would have been able to go through a school like that. I think it's great that Paul Moreno is reaching out that way and continuing his commitment to the community," Marquez said.