Candidates file in western Hidalgo, Starr county municipal elections

Spring municipal elections are gearing up in western Hidalgo County and Starr County.

Candidates began to file for the May 12 municipal elections on Feb. 6, and have about three more weeks to submit their forms.

In western Hidalgo County, the cities of Mission, Granjeno and Palmview will have seats up for grabs on their governing boards. Peñitas residents will vote on a city charter.

In Mission, the at-large city council seats occupied by Ruben Plata and Leo Olivarez will be on the ballot. Olivarez and Plata both will run and plan to campaign together, Olivarez said.

Olivarez said he wants to keep up with his work on the City Council including continuing to lower the city’s property tax rate.

“I think we have a lot of support,” Plata said.

Rene De La Cruz, a real estate broker, has filed to run against Plata.

He said he wants the city to organize more outdoor activities and events for families. De La Cruz has lived in Mission his whole life and he hopes that will help his campaign, he said.

In Granjeno, all three members of the city commission, including the mayor, will be on the ballot, said City Manager Eddie Cisneros. So far, current Commissioner Robert Segura has filed to keep his seat. Former Mayor Vicente Garza Jr. will run to hold that position again, and Bianca De Rueda has also filed for a commissioner seat.

In Palmview, three commissioner’s positions will be on the ballot, but no one has filed yet, said Palmview City Manager Johnn Alaniz.

In Starr County, Rio Grande City residents will vote on their mayor and two commissioner positions in May. As of Friday morning, David “Chachi” Jones had filed for the seat that will be vacated by Ruben Saenz, who is running for county commissioner, said City Secretary Holly Guerrero.

Mayor Ruben Villarreal said he and Commissioner Rey Ramirez plan to run to keep their seats.

In Escobares, two commissioners and the mayor are up for re-election. So far only the incumbents have filed, Mayor Noel Escobar said.

In order to file, potential candidates must go to their respective cities’ offices and fill out their information. Filing closes on March 5.

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Gail Burkhardt covers Mission, western Hidalgo County, Starr County and general assignments for The Monitor. She can be reached at gburkhardt@themonitor.com and (956) 683-4462.

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