Early Voting Begins February 18th for March Primary Election

By:  Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2014, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

Maverick County voters will begin casting their ballots for the 2014 Texas Primary March 4th Election starting on Tuesday, February 18th through February 28th, at the City of Eagle Pass Multi-Purpose Center located at 480 South Adams Street, at Fort Duncan Park in downtown Eagle Pass, Texas, announced Maverick County Democratic Party Chairman Victor E. Perry.

Over 14 Maverick County public offices are up for election in the March 4th Democratic Party Primary Election, said Perry.  Perry reminds all Maverick County voters that they will need a photo identification (ID) to be able to vote this year.

Among the 14 Maverick County public offices include the Office of County Judge which is currently held by David R. Saucedo who is seeking re-election to another four year term and is unopposed in the Democratic Party Primary, but has fielded two opponents in the November 4, 2014 General Election with former Maverick County Sheriff Tomas S. Herrera running as an Independent Candidate and Maverick County Community Activist and Republican Party Chairman Jose Reyna; the Maverick County Commissioner of Precinct 1 race includes County Judge David R. Saucedo’s political appointee and Interim County Commissioner Gerardo “Jerry” Morales seeking election to a four year term while being challenged by United States Army Veteran and Business Manager Leo Buentello, Construction Manager Marcos “Mark” De Los Santos, and Community Activist Nancy Gonzalez; the Maverick County Commissioner of Precinct 2 post includes County Judge David R. Saucedo’s political appointee and Interim County Commissioner Asalia Casares seeking election to a four year term while being challenged by former Interim County Commissioner Daniela Flores-Aleman, Businesswoman Rosy Cantu, former School Board Trustee and Local Christian Teacher Tom Cary, Maverick County Water Control & Irrigation District No. 1 Board of Director and Community Activist Yolanda Mauricio, Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas Manager Marco Antonio Gloria, Businessman Everardo Ballesteros, and Political Activist Martha Chacon; and the Maverick County Commissioner of Precinct 4 race includes County Judge David R. Saucedo’s political appointee and Interim County Commissioner Roberto Ruiz seeking election to a four year term while being challenged by Information Technology Businessman Luis Alfonso “Poncho” Ruiz, former Maverick County Road and Bridge Department Supervisor and Eagle Pass Fire Chief Guadalupe “Lupe” Cardona, and local Teacher Rossy Leos.

Also on the ballot is the Maverick County District Clerk post with Maverick County Judge Executive Assistant Leopoldo “Polo” Vielma and former Maverick County District Clerk Deputy Carmen Molano seeking election to a four year term; the Maverick County Clerk race includes incumbent County Clerk Sara Montemayor seeking re-election to another four year term while being challenged by local Businesswoman Rosa Alfaro Martinez; the Maverick County Treasurer’s post has County Judge David R. Saucedo’s political appointee and Maverick County Hospital District Board of Trustee Rito J. Valdez, III, unopposed seeking election to a four year term; Maverick County Justice of the Peace Precinct 1 includes incumbent Justice of the Peace and local Teacher Kina Mancha seeking re-election to a four year term while challenged by Maverick County Deputy Sheriff David Sifuentes, and retired Eagle Pass Police Officer Charlie Ruiz; the Maverick County Justice of the Peace Precinct 2 race includes County Judge David R. Saucedo’s political appointee and Interim Justice of the Peace Dora Madera while challenged by Community Activist Gabino Musquiz; the Maverick County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3-1 post includes retired U.S. Border Patrol Supervisor David Castaneda, former Maverick County Deputy Sheriff and Personal Fitness Trainer Gilbert Salas, and former law enforcement officer Ramiro “Ram” Garcia; the Maverick County Justice of the Peace Precinct 3-2 race has incumbent Justice of the Peace Jeannie Smith unopposed; and the Maverick County Justice of the Peace Precinct 4 post has incumbent Justice of the Peace Tere Melendrez unopposed.

The 293rd Judicial District Court Judge post has incumbent state District Judge Cynthia Muniz seeking re-election and unopposed while 365th Judicial District Court Judge Amado J. Abascal, III, is also unopposed and seeks re-election to a four year term.

State Representative District 74 Alfonso “Poncho” Nevarez is seeking re-election to another two year term unopposed; Maverick County Democratic Party Chairman Victor E. Perry is seeking re-election unopposed; and U.S. House of Representative Pete P. Gallego is seeking re-election to another two year term and is unopposed in the Democratic Primary but has several challengers in the November 4th General Election.

Also on the ballot will be many statewide elections including Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, State Comptroller, Land Commissioner, Railroad Commission of Texas, Texas Supreme Court, Texas Court of Criminal Appeals, Texas 4th Court of Appeals, and many others.

Dominating the local political discussion among Maverick County voters has been the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation’s arrests and federal grand jury indictments of over 35 Eagle Pass and out-of-town residents involving the widespread corruption, bribery, and kick-back scheme in Maverick County’s public construction contracts during 2009 through 2012, which more than 30 have already plead guilty including former Maverick County Commissioners Rodolfo Bainet “Rudy” Heredia, Eliaz Maldonado, and Cesar Flores.  Another topic of discussion among Maverick County voters is Maverick County’s runaway, escalating debt into the millions of dollars as well as Maverick County’s loss of state and federal grants due to the County’s failure to file its 2012 Audit, costing taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars monthly due to bond and loan interest payments.

Maverick County registered voters are invited and encouraged to go vote during the Early Voting Period during February 18th through 28th or on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 during General Primary Election Day.