Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector Tony Yzaguirre Jr. has two write-in opponents to contend with this election cycle: Leo Lopez and Randy Gonzales.
In spite of being charged with 11 counts of abuse of official capacity, 10 counts of bribery, one count of engaging in organized criminal activity and one count of official oppression, Yzaguirre might still have the advantage, retired professor Anthony Knopp said.
“I think his problems are well-known in the community … but we have so much straight party voting that if enough people do that, he gets those votes as a Democratic candidate,” Knopp said. “Sad to say, it’s quite likely he will get enough votes to be re-elected.”
What is unclear is whether he can keep his position if re-elected, pending the outcome of his January trial on the bribery and other charges.
This “legal limbo” is why Lopez wants the public to know it has a choice.
“All I want to do is do good for the community. I live in this place, and I want to see good happen. I am not saying (Yzaguirre) is corrupt, but there is corruption here,” Lopez said.
Lopez managed a $42 million budget for more than 7,000 employees at Brownsville Independent School District. He also has an extensive background giving back to the community in organizations such as the American Red Cross or the Knights of Columbus, he said.
“ You don’t make people happy managing that much money, but the point is that I followed regulations so you don’t screw up,” Lopez said.
Gonzales, on the other hand, has about 15 years of management experience in different companies working with 2,000 employees, he said.
Gonzales knew he wanted to run for office after returning from the military.
“ I want to end corruption from all ends. I’ve seen the same individuals run for the same positions over and over again and have never seen progress in this city,” Gonzales said. “I’ve been gone nine and a half years. … It looks the same to me, and it shouldn’t be that way.”
Gonzales said he has campaigned out in the community constantly to get the word out.
“ I am just humbly asking for the public’s support, and I want them to look and see who is still campaigning. That is what real commitment is to the voters, to serve at all costs,” Gonzales said.
The write-in candidates are not on the ballot, and votes for either must be handwritten, which will be a challenge come vote time, Knopp said.
The only time a write-in candidate has ever won an election in Cameron County was when Brownsville District 2 City Commissioner Jessica Tetreau defeated then-incumbent Charlie Atkinson.
“ If it’s something in regards to a local community you feel involved in, you might get enough people to focus, but for the most part people are going to vote for president and the District 34 representative, and tax assessor is a down-ballot item,” Knopp said.
Cameron County Elections Administrator Remi Garza said if a name that is not registered as a write-in candidate is written on someone’s ballot, that particular race is considered a “no vote.”
Garza anticipates a delay in releasing the votes for individual write-ins but is hopeful the election office can release the results based on each candidate and the total number of write-in votes first.
“ We’ll announce that Candidate A had so many, and that there were x number of write-in votes, then as soon as we can process the actual ballots, we’ll be able to release the actual write-in candidate name,” Garza said. “We’ll be putting in 10 counting teams to do that as soon as possible.”
During the Democratic primary election held earlier this year, 11,528 people voted for Yzaguirre out of the 31,737 votes cast.
On only the second day of early voting, 13,120 votes have been cast. The early voting period continues until Nov. 4. Election Day is Nov. 8.
Residents must bring a valid photo ID to vote. If someone has a “reasonable impediment” to obtaining one, they can still vote but must fill out a statement explaining why they are unable to obtain a photo ID.
Yzaguirre could not be reached for comment.
