Constable race heats up as early voting date nears

The Democratic run for Precinct 4 constable is creating lots of attention here, as two men seek to unseat longtime incumbent Merced Burnias Jr., as the early voting and actual election day are approaching.

Pachangas, block walking and scores of signs are the order of the day for Burnias and challengers Benito "Benny" Errisuriz and Juan Munoz. One of the latest big parties was at Memorial Park by Errisuriz, held for several hours on April 28, featuring four bands, plus food and dancing.

Burnias and Errisuriz especially have invested heavily in large and small signs, which are displayed throughout the Los Fresnos Precinct 4 area. Some are side by side

Early voting will start on Monday, April 14, and continue through May 25. The twice-delayed Democratic and Republican primary elections will be held on May 29.

These three are not the only area candidates.

Former Justice of the Peace Gustavo Garza of Los Fresnos is seeking the Republican candidacy for Cameron County District Attorney, going against Assistant DA Charles

"Chuck" Mattingly. There also are three Democrat candidates for the post.
Local resident, former police chief and deputy sheriff Terry Vinson is seeking the Democratic nomination for Cameron County Sheriff. Also running, hoping to unseat incumbent Omar Lucio, is Joe Cisneros.

Former Los Fresnos Mayor Manuel Abrego is the Republican candidate for Precinct 3 County Commissioner, but has no Republican opposition. He will face the winner in the race between Democrat incumbent David A. Garza and Jose Luis Salazar.

Also, Texas Southmost Trustee Adela Garza of Olmito is seeking the GOP nomination for congressional District 34. She faces primary opposition from Jessica Puente Bradshaw and Paul B. Haring.

The Democratic race for the new District 34 has eight candidates.
They are Ramiro Garza Jr., Denise Saenz Blanchard, Salomon Torres, Filemon Vela, Elmo M. Aycock, Anthony P. Troiani, Juan Angel Guerra and Armando R. Villalobos, with Paul. B. Haring, Adela Garza and Jessica Puente Bradshaw the Republican candidates..

Other Democratic lineups with primary opposition include:

State House District 35 -- Oscar Longoria and Gustavo Ruiz

State House District 37 -- Rene Oliveira and Alejandro Dominguez

138th state District Court judge -- Arturo Cisneros Nelson and Veronica Farias

404th state District Court judge -- Rebecca E. Rubane and Elia Cornejo Lopez

Cameron County District Attorney -- Carlos R. Masso, Luis V. Saenz and Maria Urbina DeFord

Cameron County Sheriff -- Joe Cisneros, Terry Vinson and Omar Lucio

Cameron County Commissioner Pct 1 -- Fausto"Pato" Martinez and Sofia C. Benevides

Cameron County Commissioner Pct 3 -- Jose Luis Salazar and David A. Garza

Justice of the Peace Pct 2 Place 2 --Yolanda Teran Begum, Javier Hernandez, Erin Hernandez

Garcia, Refugio "Cookie" Covarrubias and Israel Tapia Jr.

Justice of the Peace Pct 5 Place 1 -- Ernesto Gonzales, Rachal Menchaca snd Dora "Sallie" Gonzalez

Justice of the Peace Pct 5 Place 3 -- Mike Trejo and Adam Gonzales

Constable Pct 1 -- Horacio Zamora and Pedro Angonio "Pete" Collazo

Constable Pct 2 -- Juan Torres, Roel Arreola, Pedro "Pete" Avila Jr. and Abelardo "Abel" Gomez Jr.

Constable Pct 3 -- Joe Cavazos and Frank Robles Jr.

Constable Pct 4 -- Benito "Benny" Errisuriz, Juan Munoz and Merced Burnias Jr.

Constable Pct 5 -- Reynaldo Gonzalez Sr., Joe Frias, Cesar Rene Diaz and Agela Ramirez-Gonzalez

State Board of Education District 2 -- Celeste Zepeda, Larry E. Garza and Ruben Cortez Jr.

Republican lineups include:

Cameron County District Attorney -- Charles "Chuck" Mattingly and Gus Garza
State Board of Education District 2 -- Veronica Anzuldua and Laurie Turner.

La Feria Chosen for
RELAY FOR LIFE

Officials Estimate 2500 Took Part in Event

American Cancer Society officials chose La Feria’s High School grounds to hold their 18th Annual Relay for Life of North Cameron this year. The turnout proved it was the right choice. This was the first time Lion Stadium was ever used. “It was chosen because of its easy access and great visibility,” Debra A. Garcia, Event Chair, stated, adding, “it was a huge success by all calculations.”

The fund raising event took place on Friday April 27th thru Saturday, April 28th at the LFHS Lion Stadium. Garcia estimated that 2500 plus participants were in attendance at the Relay. North Cameron includes school districts, businesses, organizations, families, and individuals from the cities of Rio Hondo/San Benito to La Feria

RELAY FOR LIFE is an event where people come together as ONE community, on ONE night, for ONE fight, to continue raising funds for education, research, patient services, and advocacy for cancer patients. North Cameron Relay for Life is a Nationally Recognized 5-Star Relay and continues to grow every year. To date, approximately $140,000 has been raised for this Relay.

Local city and school officials gave full support to the project. Several city leaders and school administrators were up bright and early Friday morning at 6:30 a.m to join the crowd. Mayor Steve Brewer and his wife, Superintendent Nabor Cortez, and Judge Adam Gonzales were seen early Friday and again at midnight to participate with the 1000s of walkers in the packed Stadium.