Pulido says he will run for county judge

EDINBURG — Former county judge Eloy Pulido decided he didn’t want to leave voters without a choice.

Shortly after J.D. Salinas announced last month he was stepping down to take a federal post, Pulido’s phone was ringing with supporters asking him to jump into what seemed to be a one-horse race.

Pulido, an administrator for a home health care agency, said he spent time reflecting on the four years he spent as county judge.

Then Pulido decided he wanted to give it another try.

“People deserve a choice for a county our size with as many issues that need to be addressed,” Pulido said. “We felt we could do the most good.”

Two former county judges — Pulido and Ramon Garcia, who lost to Salinas in 2006 — will vie for their former seat in a rematch of the 2002 election, which was one of the most expensive political races in county history at the time.

Garcia collected 65 percent of the vote — compared to Pulido’s 35 percent — in the run-off for the seat after both spent more than $750,000.

Pulido, who is developing a Web site and plans for his campaign, will officially kick-off his campaign sometime after the filing deadline.

Garcia, who has publicly announced his campaign and released a list of more than 100 endorsements, will host an official kickoff to his campaign next week.

He declined to comment further Monday.

Both men are vying to replace Salinas, who left his elected position last month to be a regional administrator with the General Services Administration.

Rene Ramirez, a chief of staff for state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa,” was appointed to fill out the remainder of his term that runs through next year.

The first day to file for a place on the ballot in March’s primary is Dec. 3. The last day to file is Jan. 4.

Precinct 4 Commissioner Oscar Garza and Precinct 2 Commissioner Tito Palacios are also up for election in March’s primary.

Joseph Palacios stepped down last week from his position as Precinct 1 chief administrator to run against Garza.

No one has announced an intention to face Tito Palacios.

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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.