District judge candidate Contreras arrested

MERCEDES -- State district court candidate Jesus "Jesse" Contreras was arrested by South Padre Island police over the weekend for allegedly driving while intoxicated.

It was at least the second DWI arrest for the official.

Contreras, who serves as municipal judge in Mercedes, is seeking the bench of the 449th state District Court - Hidalgo County's newest district court.

He defeated former juvenile justice judge Maxine Longoria-Nash in the Democratic primary election in March and is set to face incumbent Judge Daniel Rios, a Republican who was appointed to the bench, in the November general election.

Contreras, 41, was arrested Sunday on suspicion of driving while intoxicated, according to a prepared statement released by the town of South Padre Island.

His 21-year-old passenger, Vanessa Galvan, was arrested on suspicion of public intoxication.

South Padre Island spokesman Gary Ainsworth said he doesn't know whether Contreras took a Breathalyzer test. That information is part of investigatory records that have not been released.

"The case is still open," Ainsworth said. "It's still an active case. I can't get that (information) out."

Police were called to a disturbance at the Coral Reef Lounge, on the 5400 block of Padre Boulevard, according to the statement Ainsworth released.

"Upon arrival (police) were notified that the patron had since left the building and a description of the vehicle was given," the e-mail states. Police made a traffic stop of the vehicle on the 1200 block of Padre Boulevard, about 2.5 miles south of the Coral Reef, and found Contreras and Galvan inside.

A Coral Reef employee hung up the phone Tuesday when The Monitor called to inquire about the disturbance.

Contreras did not return messages left by The Monitor on his cell phone and at his Edinburg office Tuesday.

Rios declined to comment on the matter.

Sunday's DWI arrest was not the first for Contreras, however.

He completed a pretrial diversion program in late 1996 in connection with a misdemeanor DWI arrest on March 9 that year in Cameron County, according to court records. With his license suspended after he was charged, Contreras requested - and was granted by the court - an occupational driver's license so he could drive to and from work at his law firm.

The state Legislature created the 449th state District Court last year to handle juvenile cases, but Contreras could preside over DWI cases if elected to the office.

During the primary race earlier this year against Longoria-Nash, he emphasized his upbringing in a low-income, single-parent home, arguing he was familiar with the conditions that lead young people to break the law. And in his current position as a municipal judge, he regularly presides over arraignments of people who have been arrested.

Contreras attended law school at Houston's Texas Southern University and has served as the Mercedes municipal judge for 10 years. Last year he unsuccessfully ran for the County Court at Law No. 1 bench.

His March primary victory in the race for the 449th was something of an upset, as Longoria-Nash had enjoyed wide support within the Edinburg legal community.

But Contreras, whose private law practice specializes in family, juvenile and criminal cases, has claimed support from "the common man" due to his upbringing.

"All I had was the love of my mom and an education," Contreras said earlier this year during the primary season. "I want to show these kids that if you have a dream, you can achieve it."

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Ryan Holeywell covers McAllen, PSJA, the Mid-Valley and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4446.