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It’s been called one of the most consequential elections in modern history, but across Hidalgo County, voters decide who will represent them on city councils, on school boards, in courtrooms, and in law enforcement offices.
The last day to register to vote is Monday, Oct. 7.
Hidalgo County is participating in countywide voting, meaning a voter may visit any polling place in the county to cast their ballot.
Early voting begins on Oct. 21, and Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5.
TOP OF THE TICKET
In addition to the presidential race, Rio Grande Valley voters will also decide who their next senator will be.
U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, a Republican, is looking to hold onto the seat he first won in 2012.
Meanwhile, Collin Allred, a Dallas-area congressman, civil rights lawyer and former football player, is hoping to unseat him.
In the U.S. House of Representatives, voters will decide whether to elect Monica De La Cruz, R-McAllen, to her second term in office. Democrat Michelle Vallejo is challenging her for a second time.
U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-Brownsville, is facing a challenge from Republican Mayra Flores for District 34, a seat she briefly held after former U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela resigned.
Gonzalez, formerly of District 15, was redistricted into District 34.
STATE RACES
Hidalgo County voters will also be decided five seats in the Texas House of Representatives, of which two drew challengers.
Democrats Oscar Longoria, District 35, Sergio Muñoz, District 36, and Terry Canales, District 40, are running unopposed.
In District 39, longtime incumbent Armando “Mando” Martinez, a Democrat, is facing a challenge from Republican Jimmie Garcia to represent the Mid-Valley.
In District 41, Democrat and incumbent R.D. “Bobby” Guerra is facing off against Republican and physician John Guerra, to represent McAllen and portions of Mission.
For the state senate, state Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa is once again running unopposed.
However, for portions of eastern Hidalgo County, Cameron County, and up through the Coastal Bend, District 27 incumbent Morgan LaMantia, a Democrat, is being challenged by Republican Adam Hinojosa.
There are some contested races for the 13th Court of Appeals.
Democrat Gina Benavides is being challenged by Republican Jaime Tijerina for chief justice.
At Place 2, incumbent and Democrat Nora Longoria is facing Republican Jenny Cron.
At Place 4, Jose Martinez, a Democrat, is running against Republican Ysmael Fonseca, while Regina Compian Richardson, a Democrat, is running against John West, a Republican, for Place 5.
COUNTY RACES
There are a handful of contested races on the county level.
Only the sheriff’s race and one constable race is contested in Hidalgo County.
Incumbent J.E. “Eddie” Guerra, a Democrat, is being challenged Republican Ezequiel “Zeik” Jurado III.
Meanwhile, Democrat A. “JR” Gaitan is looking to be reelected as the Precinct 4 constable, while Republican Elias Mora hopes to unseat him.
Pablo “Paul” Villarreal Jr., the Democratic incumbent tax assessor-collector, is fending off a challenge from Republican Jorge Garza.
And in the judicial races, two justice of the peace races are contested.
For Precinct 4, Place 1, longtime incumbent Charlie Espinoza, a Democrat, is being challenged by Republican Norma De La Rosa Saldaña.
For Precinct 2, Place 1, Democrat Bobby Contreras is facing Republican Princess Anne Gonzalez.
MUNICIPAL RACES
Four Hidalgo County cities are also holding municipal elections.
The city of Donna was forced to hold a municipal election after a ruling from the 13th Court of Appeals.
At stake are the Place 2 and 4 seats.
Place 2 incumbent Joey Garza Jr. is being challenged by Arturo Mendoza.
At Place 2, incumbent Oscar Gonzales is facing a challenge from Manuel “Manny” Moreno, the brother of Donna Mayor David Moreno.
The city of Progreso was also ordered to hold an election after a court decision.
At Place 1, incumbent Raul Flores is being challenged by Giovane Castillo.
Meanwhile, Eric Rangel and Fernando Rangel are running for Place 3, while Eleazar Perez Jr. and Stephanie Alegria are running for Place 5.
In Weslaco, two seats are up for grabs.
District 3 Commissioner Jose “J.P.” Rodriguez, a former law enforcement officer, is facing a challenge by longtime community advocate Randy Hall.
Meanwhile, it’s a crowded ballot in the race for an at-large seat on the Weslaco City Commission.
Four people are vying for the seat. They are Dominic A. Reyna, Johnny Joe Salinas Jr., Pete Garca Jr. and Thomas Lee Gregory.
Edcouch has a similarly crowded slate of candidates for the three seats open on the city council.
The races for Place 2 and 5 each drew three candidates.
At Place 5, Alderwoman Selma Garcia Morales is facing challengers Armando Alcala and Kayla Vallejo, while at Place 2, Alderman Lorenzo “Lencho” Cabrera is facing challenges from Adam Walla and Rodolfo “Rudy” Rodriguez.
SCHOOL DISTRICTS
A number of school board trustee seats are also up for a vote this November.
For Edinburg CISD Place 4, incumbent Luis Alamia is running against Gloria Alonzo and Ruben Luna. In place 6, incumbent Carmen Gonzales is running against Alex Rios.
For PSJA ISD Place 4 Ricardo Rodriguez is facing Eleazar Guajardo. Griselda Quintanilla, Pete Garcia and Roberto Loredo are running for Place 5. For Place 6, Ramona Barron, Janie Solis , Isaac Santa Maria and Trino Medina are running for the position. Incumbent Cynthia Gutierrez is up against Victor Perez for Place 7.
There are several races being contested at La Joya ISD.
For Place 4 Aurora Garza is running against Eden Ramirez. Place 7 has Jerry Alaniz, Fausto Salinas Jr. and Adriana Villarreal.
In Weslaco ISD, Place 1 is a race against Joel Rivera, Eddie Serna, Alfredo “Duff” Castanda. Board president incumbent Jaclyn Muñoz Sustaita is running against Ramon Resendez.
At Hidalgo ISD for Place 1 incumbent Norma Torres is challenged by Diana Sliva-Gaona. Place 2 has incumbent Raymundo Ray Martinez up against Frank Cruz. Place 6 has incumbent Rafael “Ralph” Garza up against Pedro Flores and Jennifer Quintero. For Place 7 incumbent Luis Trejo Jr. is being challenged by Guadalupe “Lupe” Solano.
For Mercedes ISD Place 5 incumbent Lucy Delgado is up against Rachel Trevino and Joaquin Hernandez Jr. For Place 6 incumbent Pete Martinez is facing Ricardo “Rick” Hinojosa. Place 7 incumbent Eddie Howell Jr. is running to keep his position against Horacio Pequeno and Ruben Chano Guajardo.
In La Villa ISD, board President and incumbent for Place 1 David Hayes Alaniz is running against challengers Andy Garza and Fidel Guzman Jr. For Place 2 incumbent Vice President Marianna Reyna is challenged by Robert (Bevi) Perez. Ray Arnold Tamez and Edward “EJ” Garcia are running for Place 4.
In South Texas ISD Hidalgo County Pct. 1 incumbent Sandra “Sandy” Ochoa is challenged by Homero Garcia.
Monitor staff writer Omar Zapata contributed to this report.
