Two slates sweep to victory in Delta

In Edcouch, voters went with a new generation. In Elsa, they stuck with the old.

Two slates on differing ends of the age spectrum - but both voicing support for the other - swept their way into office in the two Delta cities.

Robert Tanguma Schmalzried, a 25-year-old University of Texas-Pan American student, was elected mayor in Edcouch with his two electoral allies also reaching office.

Schmalzried, whose grandfather was a well-known mayor in Edcouch in the 1960s and '70s, received elections advice and support from Elsa City Council members Cain Caceres and Robert Escobar, who were re-elected to their spots.

Schmalzried, an Edcouch-Elsa High School graduate who garnered strong support among voters of his generation, said he was elected because he promised new business and growth to the economically depressed area.

"They see the city has never changed," said Schmalzried, who ran alongside a 24-year-old daycare operator who won election to the City Council. "They want to give me the opportunity to do something."

Schmalzried defeated incumbent Mayor J. Calin Guzman by 200 votes and Eddy Gonzalez, a current City Council member, by 60 votes.

Gonzalez, whose slate lost to Schmalzried's in three races, said he congratulated his opponent on the victory and promised to work with him on the council.

"Hopefully, these young kids bring something to the table," Gonzalez said. "What we can do to better the city we'll find out real soon."

In Elsa, Caceres said voters stuck with a slate backed by Mayor Senovio Castillo because of work to build a financial foundation for the city, which was on the brink of bankruptcy when they came into office.

The city owed nearly $2 million in unpaid operating expenses and outstanding loans they inherited, they claim, from their opponents, Felipe Balli, Leo Gonzalez and Rey Alejandro.

Escobar, who said their work in reducing the debt proved they can make tough decisions, said residents supported their work.

"It was a resounding ‘Hell no' to the old guys," he said.

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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.