Laredo Elects New Mayor

On November 6, 2014, Webb County voters cast their votes in the general elections for 2014. Included in the ballot were some local offices, including several Laredo Council seats, City Mayor, and County Judge.

The candidates for City Mayor was large with seven persons vying for the position. The candidates included a couple of city councilmembers, several community professionals, and a couple of Laredo citizens looking for change.

After the polls closed in the early evening, the counting began and the long awaited results began to pour in. When most precincts had tallied the votes, Pete Saenz, who is an attorney and had been elected to Laredo Community College Board for 12 years, was showing promising numbers. By the end of the night, the votes showed a commanding lead which eventually was confirmed as being 12,831—53.33% or Laredo voters. The nearest candidates were Jerry Garza with 20.46% and Cindy Liendo with 19.06%. Since, he garnered over 50% of the votes, he was the confirmed winner and was officially announced as the mayor elect. Recently, on Wednesday November 12th, he was sworn in as Laredo’s mayor.

Last year, during the local and highly publicized primary election, Tano Tijerina ran for Webb County Judge as the Democratic candidate for the office. With an 87.49% of the votes, Tano Tijerina completed his win and is now the Webb County Judge-elect and will take office fully this coming January.

Other city positions up for vote were several city councilman seats. In two districts, 2 and 6, the candidates who ran unopposed and were re-elected to their positions. Esteban Rangel of District 2 and Charlie San Miguel of District 6 will retain their seats until 2018. However, several other councilman seats are currently in run-offs as the 50% vote minimum was not met. Rudy Gonzalez, Jr. and Roger Benavides are still contenders for District 1, Alejandro “Alex” Perez, Jr. and Abraham Lugo are still competing for District 3, and for District 8, the run-off will be between Roberto Balli and Rachel Ibarra. Voting for the runoff will occur on December 20, 2014.

Other Laredo and Webb local offices are also now filled. For Laredo Municipal Judge, Rosie Cuellar ran unopposed and received 100% of the votes. For County Commissioner Precinct 1, Frank Sciafaffa won the position with 57.21%. This seat was left vacant with the arrest of Mike Montemayor on Federal charges. For County Commissioner Precinct 4, Jaime Canales was re-elected with 84.5% of votes.

Also, all the ballet were three propositions. The first was for a proposal for the building of a sports complex at Texas A&M International University. The proposition was passed with 62.47% of voters choosing for the complex which will be built jointly by TAMIU and the City of Laredo. The second proposition, which was for the building of a natatorium jointly by United Independent School District and the City of Laredo, also passed with 63.28% of the voters for the proposition. The third proposition was for recalling City Councilman of District 7 Jorge A. Vela and hold a new election for the position. The measure was passed overwhelmingly with 82.2% voting for the removal of Councilman Vera.

For those persons who have won their respective campaigns, congratulations is extended out. For those still pending the run-off elections, luck is offered. Either which is thought of, charges are expected in the coming year and perhaps further.