Politics
Politics news from McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley.
PoliticsGroves wins Republican nomination in House District 41 race, unofficial results show
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Gary Groves will head to the midterm election in November after garnering the majority of votes in the Texas House District 41 Republican primary runoff race, according to unofficial election results. Unofficial results show that Groves is leading the race with 64.08% of the vote, or 1,871 votes, with 63% percent of
PoliticsOchoa wins Democratic nomination in House District 37 race, unofficial results show
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Oziel “Ozzie” Ochoa Jr. has secured the Democratic nomination in the District 37 race, unofficial results show. With 82% of precincts reporting, Ochoa garnered 3,195 votes, while Cantu-Castle got 1,931 votes, according to unofficial results. Ochoa's win comes after neither candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote to claim
PoliticsRESULTS: 2026 Primary Runoff Election results
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Polls are now closed for the 2026 Primary Runoff Elections. Below is a list of results for the May 26 runoffs:
PoliticsMeet the candidates: Cameron Co. Commissioner Pct. 2 Democratic race
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The May 26 runoff election takes place on Tuesday. Here’s what to know about the Cameron County Commissioner Precinct 2 Democratic candidates, incumbent Joey Lopez and challenger Joseph L. Lucio. Lopez, who has held his seat for Cameron County Pct. 2 since 2019, is an auditor and tax consultant who has served with
PoliticsCameron County voters head to polls for primary runoff election
Cameron County voters are participating in the primary runoff elections for federal, state, and local positions. Early voting saw about 50% turnout, and officials expect a strong turnout today. Voters must stick to the same party they selected in March, as Texas has an open primary system but prohibits crossover voting in runoffs. Remi Garza, the Elections Administrator, noted that those who did not vote in March can still choose a party's ballot today. It's important for voters to check their polling locations, as some are designated for specific parties. More election resources are available online.
PoliticsMeet the candidates: Cameron County judge Democratic race
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — The Texas primary runoff election takes place on Tuesday. Here's what to know about Cameron County judge Democratic candidates, incumbent Eddie Trevino Jr., and challenger Esteban "Steve" Guerra. Trevino was first elected Cameron County judge in 2016 and has remained in office since. Prior to being elected as Cameron County judge, Trevino
PoliticsMeet the candidates: State Rep. District 41 Democrat runoff
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Two Democratic candidates are facing off in the primary runoff race in hopes of making their mark on the November midterm election. Julio Salinas and Victor 'Seby' Haddad are facing off again to determine who will represent the Democratic party and face off against the Republican primary runoff winner. The primary winners
PoliticsSteve Guerra is the virtual Democratic candidate for Cameron County judge race
In the Texas primary runoff elections, and with unofficial results at this time, preliminary results from the Democratic Party in Cameron County show Esteban 'Steve' Guerra as the virtual Democratic candidate in the race for county judge. According to the preliminary report, Guerra received 6,886 votes, equivalent to 54.24 percent of the total, while current judge Eddie Treviño Jr. received 5,809 votes, representing 45.76 percent. A total of 12,695 votes have been counted in this contest. Additionally, in the Democratic election for Texas lieutenant governor, Marcos Isaias Velez has a lead with 61.62 percent of the votes against Vikki Goodwin, who garnered 38.38 percent. Meanwhile, the Democratic attorney general race remains close between Nathan Johnson and Joe Jaworski. Johnson received 5,782 votes, equivalent to 51.07 percent, while Jaworski reached 5,540 votes, with 48.93 percent. It is important to note that the results remain unofficial.
PoliticsPrimary runoff polling locations across the Valley
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Election Day is underway for Texas primary runoff races across the Rio Grande Valley, and voters are encouraged to cast their ballots until 7 p.m. Local races On the Democratic side, Esmeralda Cantu-Castle and Oziel Ochoa, Jr. face off to secure a seat representing the Democratic Party in Texas House District
PoliticsInside Valley Politics: Republican group working to elect conservatives to local office
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Last week, Harlingen became the first city to place a moratorium on data center projects. The 120-day pause will give city leaders and staff the opportunity to better understand the impact the facilities could bring. At the end of the moratorium, the city hopes to prepare a presentation for an open
PoliticsMeet the candidates: State Rep. District 41 Republican runoff
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — Two Republican candidates on the primary runoff ballot for the State Representative District 41 race are ready to punch their ticket to the November midterm election. Sergio Sanchez and Gary Groves are facing off again to determine who will represent the Republican Party and face off against the Democratic primary runoff winner,
PoliticsWhat to know about the democratic candidates in the Tx House District 37 runoff
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — As Election Day takes place on Tuesday, two Democratic candidates, Esmeralda Cantu-Castle and Oziel Ochoa, Jr., face off to secure a seat representing the Democratic Party in Texas House District 37. In Oct. 2025, Cantu-Castle announced her Democratic campaign for the Texas House of Representatives, House District 37, to challenge two-term Republican
PoliticsTexas Decides Today on Republican Senate Candidacy Between Paxton and Cornyn
Texas will decide this Tuesday who will be the Republican candidate for the Senate seat in a contest between Ken Paxton and John Cornyn. Notably, earlier this month, President Donald Trump decided to endorse the state's current Attorney General, Ken Paxton, as his candidate.
PoliticsCandidates face off for Democratic nomination for Cameron County judge
On May 26, voters in Cameron County will select their Democratic nominee for county judge, with over 12,000 ballots already cast. Esteban "Steve" Guerra, a former chairman of the Port of Brownsville, is challenging incumbent Eddie Treviño Jr., who has held the position for over nine years. Guerra argues for a change in leadership, questioning Treviño's effectiveness over the past decade. Treviño defends his record, highlighting achievements in infrastructure and economic development. Both candidates address environmental concerns related to large businesses in the Rio Grande Valley. The winner will face Republican Mauro Garza in the November election.
PoliticsInside Valley Politics: Candidates in Democratic runoff races face off
HARLINGEN, Texas (ValleyCentral) — As Democratic candidates approached the runoff election finish line, they gathered in Harlingen to face off one last time. The Northern Cameron County Democrats hosted the forum, featuring candidates running for County Judge, District Court Judge and Texas House District 37. Esmeralda Cantu-Castle and Oziel Ochoa, Junior started out the night
PoliticsTwo Democrats face off for Cameron County precinct 4 judge seat
On May 26, Cameron County will hold primary runoff elections, including a contest for the Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 seat. Incumbent Juan Mendoza, who has served three terms and has extensive law enforcement experience, is running against Gaby Fernandez, a boutique owner and former city council member from Los Fresnos. Fernandez emphasizes her commitment to fairness and integrity, seeking a fresh perspective for the court. With no Republican challengers, the winner of this Democratic primary runoff will secure the position. Voters are encouraged to participate in this important election.
PoliticsRunoff: This Tuesday, Texas Primary Winners Will Be Decided
HOUSTON, Texas – This Tuesday, the winners of the runoff in the Democratic and Republican primary elections in Texas will be determined. The candidates selected for each party will appear on the November ballot. Among other contests, the Republican side features races for the Senate and the Attorney General, while Democrats will vote on candidates for Congressional District 18 and Harris County Administrator. Who's on the list? Current Senator John Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton are competing for the Republican Senate nomination. The winner of this contest will face Democrat James Talarico in November. Democrats will also decide on the candidate for Congressional District 18, choosing between current Congressman Al Green and former Harris County attorney Christian Maneffee. Additionally, the Democratic candidate for Harris County Administrator will be decided between former Houston Mayor Anisse Parker and Councilwoman Letitia Plummer. On the Republican side, there is also a runoff for this position between conservative Warren A. Howell and former County Treasurer Orlando Sánchez. Voting takes place from Monday, May 18, to Friday, May 22, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with the general election on Tuesday, May 26, from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. You can check the Democratic ballot here. Here you can see the sample Republican ballot. Which runoff can I vote in? If you voted in the primaries, you can only vote in the runoff elections for the party you aligned with during the primaries. That is, if you voted in the Republican primaries, you can only vote in the Republican runoffs. Those who voted in the Democratic primaries can only vote in the Democratic runoffs. If you did not vote in the primary elections, you can still vote in the runoff of your choice. Voter ID requirements To vote in person, Texas voters must present a valid photo ID. The Texas Secretary of State has a list of acceptable photo identification documents for voting on its Vote Texas Gov section, including: Texas driver's license issued by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS). Texas election identification certificate issued by the DPS. Texas personal identification card issued by the DPS. Texas handgun license issued by the DPS. U.S. military identification card containing the person's photograph. U.S. citizenship certificate containing the person's photograph. U.S. passport (book or card). Supplemental identification documents that can be presented if the voter does not have an acceptable form of photo ID and cannot reasonably obtain one. A copy or original of a certified national birth certificate (from a U.S. state or territory) or a document that confirms the voter's admissible birth in a court of law (which may include a foreign birth document). A copy or original of a government document showing the voter's name and address, including the voter registration certificate, among others.
PoliticsCommissioner John Wood Steps Down After Over a Decade of Service
John Wood, who served as Commissioner for Place 2, has announced his retirement after over a decade of dedicated service. Wood, who moved to Brownsville in 1970, played a crucial role in numerous civic projects, including the establishment of City Hall and the revitalization of underserved neighborhoods. His tenure on the Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners began in 2014, where he advocated for employee wage increases and the deepening of the port channel. Wood's leadership and community involvement have significantly shaped Brownsville's civic landscape, and he leaves behind a legacy of service and commitment to the community.
PoliticsThe Fight for Answers Continues Four Years After the School Massacre in Uvalde
Four years after the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, efforts for accountability continue. In May 2025, the Texas legislature passed the 'Uvalde Strong Act' aimed at improving police response protocols exposed during the Robb Elementary School massacre. State Representative Don McLaughlin stated the law is a step towards making parents feel safer. It mandates better coordination among law enforcement, annual active shooter training, and mandatory security equipment in schools. Meanwhile, families of the victims demand transparency, as Uvalde officials voted to release key documents related to the incident. A federal report revealed thousands of new documents highlighting communication failures during the response. The first criminal trial against former school police officer Adrián Gonzales began in January 2024, but he was acquitted of all charges. Former Uvalde school district police chief Pete Arredondo awaits trial on 10 charges related to endangering minors.