Elsa voters decided Saturday to let Mayor Alonzo “Al” Perez run the show for four more years.
Perez, 53, defeated former Commissioner Robert Escobar by 167 votes. Escobar had stepped down from his seat on the city commission to challenge the incumbent.
Perez brought in 763 votes and Escobar 596.
Reached before results were in, Perez said the election seemed to be going in his favor.
Escobar said his campaign was a “David and Goliath” situation, since he was taking on the incumbent, who is in the majority on the commission.
“I feel that when the citizens of Elsa made a decision,” Escobar said, “I stand by them.”
Perez, co-owner of G.A.S. Enterprises, touted city infrastructure upgrades including street lighting and a “pro-business” stance during his re-election campaign.
Perez could not be reached for comment following the release of the unofficial election result tally.
Commission candidate Carlos “Cory” Sanchez, who ran unopposed for a seat vacated by Danny Marichalar, received 821 votes. Marichalar did not seek re-election after securing the Democratic nomination for Hidalgo County Precinct 5 Constable.
A special election will be called for the Escobar’s former seat. He said he will evaluate running for his old spot on the commission.
“I wish him all the luck,” Escobar said of Perez.
