BROWNSVILLE — Two candidates in the Democratic primary for the 197th Judicial District are heading for a runoff.
Attorneys Adolfo Cordova and Carlos Masso ended yesterday’s primary election with a razor-thin margin between them.
They will face off again May 22.
Sitting Judge Migdalia Lopez did not seek re-election at the end of her term, and there are no Republican candidates.
Unofficial final numbers indicate Cordova received 4,711 votes, according to unofficial returns. Masso walked away with 4,857 votes.
Sonia Herrera garnered 3,800 of votes. Gerardo “Gerry” Linan received 1,662.
Because no candidate received the majority of the vote, a runoff election is necessary.
Cordova, whose practice is based in San Benito, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.
Cordova’s judicial experience includes 10 years as a municipal judge and five years as a magistrate for Cameron County to the bench. He has worked both civil and criminal cases as a trial attorney.
“I’ll be there in the sense of putting in the hours and time, and making sure the quality of work is there,” Cordova said in an earlier interview.
Masso, whose office is in Brownsville, is a former assistant district attorney for Cameron and Willacy counties.
He said his campaign went well but lost about four weeks, when he could have been knocking on doors, due to illness.
“(During) this runoff, we’re really going to put things into high gear,” he said. “To reach the voter, the most effective is a one-to-one basis.”
He touted his experience as a commissioner with the Port of Brownsville, where he’s held a seat since 2006, as well as his background in criminal prosecution.
All told, Masso said he has more than 30 years in public service.
