Maverick County Judge Candidates Gerardo “Jerry” Morales and David R. Saucedo Square Off in Candidate Town Hall Forum

By Jose G. Landa, Copyright 2026 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

The race for Maverick County Judge took center stage during the Eagle Pass Border Coalition’s 2026 Candidate Town Hall Forum held on Saturday, September 12, 2026 as Democratic Party candidate former County Commissioner Gerardo “Jerry” Morales and Independent candidate former County Judge David R . Saucedo presented competing visions for the county while confronting two of its most controversial issues, county financial crisis and the public-private partnership between Maverick County and Puerto Verde Holdings, LLC regarding the design, construction and management of a third international bridge, called the Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge Project.

With the November election approaching, the County Judge contest has emerged as a focal point of the local ballot, placing one of Maverick County’s most influential elected offices before voters at a time of financial pressures, infrastructure needs and continued debate over the proposed Puerto Verde international bridge project.

The forum gave voters an opportunity to hear directly from candidates on economic development, public safety, environmental protection, border issues, Puerto Verde and preservation of the Rio Grande.

Morales told the audience his campaign platform was developed by visiting and listening to residents and asking what they wanted from their next County Judge and Commissioners Court.

His community survey resulted in his campaign priorities known as the IMPACT platform, Morales said, which stands and addresses Infrastructure, Maverick County employees, Puerto Verde, City Residents will be serviced, Trust in EMS, as well as transparency, administration and accountability.

Saucedo, however, identified one issue above all others when asked what he believed was Maverick County’s most pressing problem.
The budget. Saucedo stated his campaign priority issue is “We can fix” the budget crisis, citing his past tenure as county judge.

“Right now, the number one issue in this community, without a doubt, and everybody knows it, is the budget,” Saucedo said.

He then raised one of the most serious issues heard during the forum.

“Is Maverick County going to survive?” Saucedo asked, adding that there had been discussion about dealing with bankruptcy attorneys.

Saucedo contrasted the current situation with his previous tenure as County Judge, claiming an independent audit at the end of his administration showed the county with $9.5 million.

“Get the house in order, get that budget in order, and then you can move forward and do some of those other projects,” Saucedo.

Then came Puerto Verde.
Both candidates expressed serious concerns about the controversial proposed international bridge project, but each approached the issue from a different perspective.

Saucedo looked to his previous record as County Judge, telling the audience that Puerto Verde’s Ruben Garibay, CEO/President, had approached Maverick County during his administration.
“When I was a county judge, Mr. Garibay came with Puerto Verde and I turned it down,” Saucedo said.
“We wouldn’t be up here talking about this right now if I had been the judge.”

Saucedo argued that private economic development should not come at an unfair expense of Maverick County taxpayers.

Morales, meanwhile, made an explicit commitment about what he would do if elected.

“The number one thing, and as I said it before, the way you address Puerto Verde is you put an immediate stop to it,” Morales said.
Morales added he would seek to rescind the county’s resolution and take the community’s position to the U.S. State Department in Washington, D. C.

“We’re not going to entertain the idea of negotiating with a private investor taking advantage of our community,” Morales said.

Morales noted opposing the current Puerto Verde proposal does not mean opposing economic development. Instead, he questioned why land south of Eagle Pass had not been considered for another international crossing and argued that a publicly controlled bridge could generate revenue for Eagle Pass and Maverick County.

Morales added he was on commissioners court during his opponent, former County Judge David R. Saucedo, tenure and both shared in straightening out the past county budget crisis and is prepared to tackle it again upon getting elected.

Both Morales and Saucedo vowed to tackle the current financial budget crisis and to rescind the Puerto Verde public-private partnership resolution.

In addition, both Morales and Saucedo stated they oppose the sale of the Maverick County Memorial International Airport to the City of Eagle Pass or to any third party.

The exchange offered voters a sharper picture of the choice they will face in November.

Morales presented a platform centered on infrastructure, employees, EMS, transparency and accountability while pledging to stop the current Puerto Verde process.

Saucedo placed Maverick County’s financial condition at the center of his argument while pointing to his previous tenure as evidence of how he would approach county finances and private development proposals.

The winner will inherit significant decisions involving county finances, infrastructure, public safety, relations with the City of Eagle Pass and the future of international trade and bridge development.

With Puerto Verde and the county’s financial condition now firmly planted in the campaign conversation, the battle for Maverick County Judge is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched local contests heading into November.