With several seats on the McAllen city commission up for election once again, two current city commissioners have already announced they will be running for reelection.
McAllen City Commissioners Victor “Seby” Haddad and Pepe Cabeza de Vaca — who represent 5 and 6, respectively — announced Friday that they will be seeking another term in office in the city’s May elections.
Rodolfo “Rudy” Castillo, city commissioner for District 4, filed to run for reelection this week, according to city records, though he has not issued an official announcement.
Haddad, who is running for a second term, issued a news release detailing his experience and priorities.
He specifically underscored his focus on revitalizing the city’s urban areas through the “Imagine Tomorrow” program which helps property owners rehabilitate their homes.
He also touted the “Refresh 50/50” program, which provides matching grants to small businesses to upgrade their storefronts.
“We have also made major amenity and safety improvements to our urban parks, such as Crockett, which has promoted neighborhood usage and improved the quality of life for our residents,” Haddad said. “I am also proud of our efforts towards inclusionary development and our commitment to animal welfare.”
Haddad is a businessman and banker with Lone Star National Bank.
Cabeza de Vaca, assistant chief of staff for Hidalgo County Precinct 1 Commissioner David Fuentes, is running for his first full term.
He was first elected to the McAllen city commission in a special election in 2021 to finish out the unexpired term of Veronica Vela Whitacre. She stepped down to launch an unsuccessful bid for mayor.
As part of his reelection announcement, Cabeza de Vaca touted voting alongside the other commissioners to lower the property tax rate and his support of major projects throughout the city.
He said he understood the importance of capital infrastructure growth, economic development, investment in the city’s international port of entry and supporting local business owners.
“The future is brighter than ever in the City of McAllen, and with one of the largest budget’s [sic] in our city’s history, I am excited about the many things that we are working to attract, enhance, and improve to continue to make our city the most desired place to live, work, and enjoy for our McAllen families,” Cabeza de Vaca said. “We have so much more to accomplish, and I am ready to continue my efforts and work to reach my goals of improving the quality of life of our citizens, advocating for improvements that will make our District 6 communities better, and bringing the City of McAllen into the future.”
Castillo, commissioner for District 4, is a business owner who was also elected in a special election last year to replace former Commissioner Tania Ramirez.
She resigned to run for Hidalgo County judge but was defeated by incumbent Hidalgo County Judge Richard F. Cortez.
As of press time Friday, only Castillo and Cabeza de Vaca had officially filed for a place on the ballot.
The races for place B and C on the McAllen Public Utility board will also be decided during the May elections.
The last day to file for a place on the ballot is Feb. 17.
Early voting will be from April 24 through May 2. Election day is May 6.
