46 elections, few surprises

McALLEN - The sweltering heat Saturday didn't keep thousands of voters from coming out to the polls to decide city and school board elections in their areas.

Eight school bond issues were also up for a decision in the weekend elections.

In school and community center parking lots throughout the Rio Grande Valley, makeshift communities of candidates, voters and politiqueras emerged, fortified by tents and plenty of water.

"Mine was a tough one," joked unopposed Elsa City Council candidate Martin Venegas, who chatted with supporters after Saturday's results were released. "I sweated quite a bit because it was a hot one today."

One of the most hotly contested issues - an Edinburg school bond issue topping $110 million - was decisively approved by voters, who decided the district needed new facilities despite the cost of the projects.

Pharr-San Juan-Alamo and Weslaco schools voters also approved their bond proposals, for $105.8 million and $25 million, respectively.

Voters in the Donna school district, however, denied their $49 million bond proposal.

In city elections, voters elected two new mayors Saturday night.

La Villa voters chose Hector Elizondo over incumbent Rene Castillo.

In Weslaco, where 19 candidates vied for six seats, all incumbent city commissioners survived the elections, despite Weslaco's switch this year from at-large representation on the commission to a system of six single-member districts.

Incumbent Commissioner Soyla Gonzalez is set to face challenger Andres "Andy" Noriega in the runoff for District 1. The changes to Weslaco elections included two new seats on the commission, as well as the implementation of single-member districts.

San Juan Mayor San Juanita Sanchez and Donna Mayor Ricardo Morales failed to win their re-elections outright and will defend their seats in runoff elections.

In Pharr, three incumbent commissioners lost to a group of challengers, turning the political face of the city on its head as the board's majority voting bloc was almost entirely eliminated.

In Elsa, Javier Guerrero, the former mayor pro tem indicted on felony tampering chargers, failed to win the mayor's seat, losing by a wide margin to incumbent Mayor Senovio Castillo.

In Mission, incumbent Commissioner Ruben Plata defended his seat for the second time in eight months, the result of a special election in October. He defeated opponent Armando O'Caña yet again.

And in La Joya, three challengers vying for City Commission - with the support of local political powerbroker Mayor Billy Leo - each lost to incumbents.
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Ryan Holeywell covers PSJA, the Mid-Valley and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4446.