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A Palmhurst attorney announced her candidacy for mayor on Monday as city officials prepared to declare the late Mayor Ramiro J. Rodriguez Jr. the winner of the May 7 election.
Ricka Tijerina, who works for Richard Hinojosa Law firm, announced her candidacy for Palmhurst mayor on the same day that the city is scheduled to canvas the results of the May 7 elections.
“Today I am announcing my intent to run for Mayor of the Great City of Palmhurst,” Tijerina said via text. “In doing so I am determined to protect and defend the legacy left by our Mayor Ramiro J. Rodriguez Jr. May he Rest In Peace. Truth, honesty, integrity and transparency will be the undisputed cornerstone’s of my administration.”
Tijerina’s announcement follows the results of the May 7 election that saw the late Rodriguez besting challenger Israel Silva. Rodriguez earned 330 votes, or 58.2% of the total votes, while Silva earned 237 votes, or 41.8%.
Rodriguez died April 6 at the age of 68 in the midst of his reelection campaign.
The city will consider approval to canvas the election results at Monday’s regular city council meeting, which is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
“It’s today, the meeting where we will canvas the votes and declare Rodriguez as the (winner) — he got the most votes,” Palmhurst City Attorney Darrell Davis said. “We will then declare a vacancy for the office of the mayor. At some point soon, we will set a special election that has to be held 120 days from today.”
Davis said that the city has until July to set the date for the special election. The special election must be held no later than 120 days from the day that the votes are canvassed.
“I’m sure there will be a meeting soon to set a special election,” Davis said.