Aaron Valdez edges Monica J. Cruz in Eagle Pass Mayor Runoff Election by 13 Votes on Saturday, June 7, 2025
By: Ricardo E. Calderon, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2025
The City of Eagle Pass, Texas Mayor Runoff Election held on Saturday, June 7, 2025 is the closest decided race in the history of the border community as Maverick County Hospital District Board of Directors Chairman Aaron Valdez rallied on Election Day to overcome a 46 vote deficit from Early Voting by former City Councilwoman Monica J. Cruz to squeak by with a 13 vote victory, garnering 2,611 votes compared to Cruz’s 2,598.
City of Eagle Pass Election Judge Enriqueta V. Collett announced the unofficial final results at approximately 9:35 p.m. to an estimated crowd of over 200 persons awaiting the final election results at the front steps of the Maverick County Courthouse in Eagle Pass, Texas.
Earlier at approximately 7:30 p.m., Election Judge Collett announced the Early Voting Period (May 27-June 3) results with Monica J. Cruz jumping slightly ahead of Aaron Valdez by 46 votes, receiving 1,978 votes compared to Valdez’s 1,932 votes. However, Valdez’s campaign managed to garner 59 more votes than Cruz on Election Day to offset the previous 46 vote deficit during Early Voting to earn a hard fought victory by a mere 13 votes overall, 2,611 for Valdez and 2,598 for Cruz.
Valdez thanked all of his supporters and campaign team members for their hard work and pulling out the heavily contested victory. Valdez stated he looks forward to working with all the people of Eagle Pass in bringing economic prosperity and transparency at City Hall for the benefit of all taxpayers.
Cruz stated she deeply appreciated the great effort and work of her campaign team and supporters in coming extremely close to making history by becoming the first woman to be elected as Mayor of Eagle Pass. This mission will have to wait for another day and election. Cruz added that she and her campaign team will evaluate and analyze the election results before making any decision on whether to request a recount under state election law.
Valdez will be administered his Oath of Office and be sworn-in as Mayor of Eagle Pass on Tuesday, June 16, 2025 at 5:30 p.m. at a special meeting of the City Council after the Mayoral Runoff Election results are canvassed and approved by the City Council.
The June 16th meeting will also be outgoing Mayor Rolando Salinas, Jr.’s last official meeting as Mayor and will address the citizens of Eagle Pass one final time before passing the gavel to newly-elected Mayor Aaron Valdez.
EDITOR”S NOTE: The City of Eagle Pass, Texas did a partial recount of the ballots cast in the June 7th Runoff Election as required by state law to determine the accuracy of the election results. A total of 1.302 ballots were recounted by the City, resulting in a final vote count of 2,613 votes for Valdez and 2,599 votes for Cruz—a 14 vote difference instead of the 13 vote difference announced on June 7th. No material discrepancies nor irregularities were noted during the partial recount.
