Edinburg mayor opts against re-election bid

EDIBNURG — Joe's bowing out.

Citing an increased time commitment to his businesses, Edinburg Mayor Joe Ochoa officially announced Saturday he will not seek election to a sixth term as mayor.

Ochoa, who served as mayor from 1993 to 2003 and again from 2006 to present, said increased travel and other work from his pharmacy and medical records business led to his decision.

But he leaves the financially sound city on a high note, he said, as it continues to grow its tax base. Ochoa also touted Edinburg's two-time designation as an All American City and the progress it has made in its master plan during his tenure.

But after 13 years as mayor, he felt it was time for him to step aside.

"I think it's an opportune time for me to go," Ochoa said. "(The city is) doing well economically and growth-wise. I hope the city can continue to grow as it has been."

Ochoa's decision to not seek re-election leaves former Edinburg mayor Richard Garcia as the only publicly announced candidate for the upcoming May election.

Garcia, a lawyer who currently serves as president of the Edinburg Economic Development Corp., ousted Ochoa in 2003 but then lost to him by about 500 votes three years ago, when Ochoa celebrated his election by hoisting a "Joe's Back" T-shirt on stage.

Ofelia de los Santos, a former city councilwoman who served with Ochoa from 1994 to 2000, said he was focused on economic development from the beginning of his time as mayor.

She recalled meetings with business officials where Ochoa tried to lure in new development. With the Rio Grande Valley poised to explode after the passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement, she said, Ochoa was intent on seeing Edinburg share in that growth.

"We didn't want the area around us to prosper without the city being in the loop," de los Santos said. "Economic development and a larger tax base was the way to go."

Though de los Santos did not know Ochoa before her election to the City Council, she grew to admire him when she asked him for his support during her race for the seat.

Ochoa took time to interview her and her supporters about her background and philosophy before throwing his support behind her, she said. Since she resigned in 2000 to pursue a judgeship, she has remained in close contact with him.

She said the city will lose Ochoa's "progressive leadership," but she understands his desire to commit more time to his businesses.

Gus Garcia, a consistent ally of Ochoa's on the City Council, said Ochoa's previous experience as mayor has shown during his current term.

He played an active role in working with the city's full-time staff the past three years, Gus Garcia said. And Ochoa was hands-on in ensuring the city was fiscally responsible this past year when municipalities began to suffer from the global recession.

"It's when everyone is doing poorly when you test your mettle," Gus Garcia said. "We all worked together to make sure we didn't spend money where we didn't need to."

Ochoa, for his part, said he wouldn't rule out running for another elected position sometime, but his current commitments to his businesses will keep him away from campaigns for the near future.

Still, deciding not to run for mayor again was akin to letting your grown child walk out the door, he said.

"It's hard to let go but you know you have to," Ochoa said. "It's time for it to take its course."

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Jared Janes covers Hidalgo County government, Edinburg and general assignments for The Monitor. He can be reached at (956) 683-4424.