Donna residents will choose their next mayor Tuesday with the possibility of a shift in power on the council at stake.
In part, the runoff election was called because mayoral candidates Simon Sauceda, a current council member, and Rick Morales, a former mayor of Donna, did not secure enough votes to avoid it last month.
With the council made up of four members and the mayor, the election could shift power on the council. Morales ran on a slate composed of candidate Arturo Castillo for Place 3 and Place 1 Councilmember Oscar Gonzalez who was able to avoid a runoff last month.
Sauceda teamed with candidate Guadalupe “Lupita” Bueno for Place 3 in the runoff. The other two members of Sauceda’s original slate did not garner enough votes during the election held in November.
The single polling location — the Donna Recreational Center — is located at 307 Miller Ave. and will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
The two Donna mayoral candidates said they will be near the recreational center throughout the day.
In the past, Sauceda has touted his record as a council member, including votes to reduce Donna’s tax rate from $1.25 per $100 valuation to the current tax rate of 77 cents per $100 valuation. This year, the council also voted to reduce water rates twice, each time by 5 cents.
Meanwhile, Morales said he wants to see more development around the Donna-Rio Bravo International Bridge without raising taxes and a fixed water rate for residents over a certain age.
Those elected will also be tasked with finding a permanent city manager.
In all, 1,530 people voted early in the election including 51 voting by mail, according to unofficial numbers released by the Hidalgo County Elections Department.
Results will be released after the polls close Tuesday.
