An interim Starr County attorney took office Monday to replace Starr County Attorney Victor Canales who retired last week.
The Starr County commissioners court appointed local attorney Rene P. Montalvo as the interim county attorney during their regularly scheduled meeting Monday.
“There were several attorneys that called in, wanted to be considered,” Starr County Judge Eloy Vera said, “and I think the court pretty much decided that at this time that he’s the one that they wanted to name.”
Montalvo, who has a private practice in Rio Grande City, is a graduate of Texas Southern University – Thurgood Marshall School of Law where he earned his law degree in 1986.
“I look forward to getting to work and serving the county of Starr and helping the commissioners continue to provide excellence service to the county,” Montalvo said after he was sworn into office.
His appointment was effective immediately, according to Vera, and Montalvo will serve in the role until a new county attorney is elected during the November general election.
Canales’ abruptly announced his retirement last week after about 15 years in office and with more than two years left in his current term.
Because he retired after the Democratic and Republican Primary elections in March, the precinct chairs from both parties will each have to nominate a candidate who will face off in the November general election, according to the Texas election code.
“When the new chairs come into office, the precinct chairs, the Democratic Party will nominate a candidate for November and the Republican chairs will name a candidate for the Republican Party and then they’ll face off in November,” Vera said.
The candidate elected in November will serve out the remainder of Canales’ term which ends in 2024.
