By RAY QUIROGA
publisher@sbnewspaper.com
San Benito voters are headed to the polls starting in late April for the local May 2, 2026, General and Special City and School Board of Trustees elections.
Early voting runs from Monday, April 20, to Tuesday, April 28.
The candidates for the May 2, 2026, City of San Benito General Election include retired law enforcement officer Daniel Cortez, who is running for Commissioner, Pl. 2. He is facing incumbent Deborah A. Morales, who is seeking reelection.
A veteran on the commission, retired firefighter, and current San Benito Mayor, Ricardo “Rick” Guerra, is fighting to keep his position as San Benito Mayor against City Commissioner and former Mayor Pro Tem, Pedro A. Galvan, Pharm D., who lists his occupation as pharmacist.
Real estate broker Thomas W. Goodman is running for reelection to the commission at Place 1. He faces challenger Ricardo Perez, Jr., who listed himself as self-employed.
Line mechanic Victor Manuel Gonzalez is running unopposed in a special election to fill Commissioner Galvan’s unexpired term for Pl. 3.
For the San Benito CISD School Board of Trustees election, longtime trustee Orlando “Papas” Lopez is unopposed in Pl. 4.
For Pl. 5, retired educator and one-time San Benito High School Teacher/Coach, Abel “Sonny” Fonseca is seeking the trustees’ seat against incumbent Rudy Corona, an employee for AT&T.
Incumbent Alex Reyna aims to hold his Pl. 6 seat against Primera City Manager Celina Gonzales and home health professional Linda Garza.
In Pl. 7, incumbent Frutoso M. Gomez, Jr. faces challenger Roel Abrego, who lists HVAC Technician as his profession.
In the San Benito area, polling locations include:
- San Benito Community Bldg., 210 E. Heywood St., San Benito,
- Los Indios Community Center, 309 E. Heywood St., Los Indios,
- Fred Booth Global Leadership Academy, 705 Zaragoza St., San Benito,
- La Paloma Elementary School, 35076 Padilla St., San Benito,
- And the UTRGV Clinical Education Building, 2102 Treasure Hills Blvd. Harlingen.