By RAY QUIROGA
publisher@sbnewspaper.com
Local General and Special Elections were held on Saturday, May 2, resulting in several changes to the local political landscape.
San Benito City Commission
Pl. 1 incumbent Tom Goodman lost his bid for a second term on the San Benito City Commission to political newcomer Rick Perez, who garnered 857 unofficial votes (51.72%) to Goodman’s 800 (48.2%).
City of San Benito General Election candidates also included retired law enforcement officer Daniel Cortez, who defeated incumbent Pl. 2 Commissioner Deborah A. Morales, 901 unofficial votes to 766, and received 54.05% of the tally.
Ricardo “Rick” Guerra, a veteran on the commission and a retired firefighter, lost his bid to retain his position as Mayor to City Commissioner and former Mayor Pro Tem Pedro A. “Pete” Galvan, Pharm D., who listed his occupation as pharmacist.
In the widest victory margin of the City’s General Election, Galvan captured 1,149 unofficial votes for 66.88% to Guerra’s 569 votes, or 33.12%.
In a victory post on Facebook, Galvan wrote, “I’m excited to start the next chapter in San Benito. I’m not going to do it alone. I look forward to working alongside the newly elected body to move San Benito forward. I’m honored and privileged to have the opportunity to serve as your next Mayor of San Benito. It will be my distinct pleasure to serve my hometown.”
He went on to write, “The work doesn’t stop here. I will need your support and guidance in shaping what San Benito can and will become. My priorities are simple: getting back to the basics! The heart of every great city is its fundamentals. We all want safe streets, reliable infrastructure, safe schools, public safety, and economic growth. No flashy promises, just consistent, honest results, a group of leaders who show up every day. I’m excited to share this experience with you.”
Line mechanic Victor Manuel Gonzalez ran unopposed in a Special Election to fill Galvan’s unexpired term for Pl. 3 on the Commission. For the record, he received 1,301 unofficial votes, a 100.00% vote count.
San Benito CISD Board of Trustees
For the San Benito CISD School Board of Trustees election, longtime trustee and former Board President Orlando “Papas” ran unopposed in Pl. 4, drawing 1,674 unofficial votes, or 100.00% of the count.
In Pl. 5, retired educator and former San Benito High School teacher/coach Abel “Sonny” Fonseca was defeated by incumbent Rudy Corona, an AT&T employee who received 1,194 votes (54.65%) to Fonseca’s 991 (45.35%).
Incumbent Alex Reyna lost his Pl. 6 seat to Primera City Manager Celina Gonzales, who earned 1,368 votes (62.35%) in a three-way race that also saw home health professional Linda Garza earn 182 (8.30%) votes and Reyna earn 644 votes (29.35%).
In Pl. 7, incumbent Frutoso M. Gomez, Jr., retired Cameron County Appraisal District Chief Appraiser, lost to challenger Roel Abrego, who listed HVAC Technician as his profession, 1,016 unofficial votes (46.67%) to 1,161 unofficial votes (53.33%).
Gomez took to Facebook after the loss to express his gratitude to the community and for his time on the board. “With a full heart, I am grateful for every moment shared with our students, staff, and community. It has been a privilege to serve,” he posted.
Cameron County Drainage District No. 3
Embattled incumbent board member Ronaldo “Ronnie” Garcia defeated challenger Jay Humphreys, for Cameron County Drainage District No. 3 Board of Directors, Pl. 2, while incumbent Luis A. Barrera ran unopposed for Pl. 1.
Garcia registered 1,297 votes (60.92%) against Humphreys’ 832 (39.08%).
Last month, Cameron County Drainage District No. 3 found itself at the center of a scandal that led to the arrest of current and former district officials, including Garcia.
State authorities arrested Garcia, who was serving as the Drainage District’s president, the former general manager, and a former board member. All were charged with misapplication of fiduciary property valued between $30,000 and $150,000.
The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) led the investigation.
Garcia and Randall McMurray, a former director and secretary, each face one charge. Sonia Lambert, the entity’s longtime and well-liked former general manager, was arrested on two counts.
Lambert served as the entity’s GM from 1999 until her retirement in 2024.
According to DPS, an investigation into abuse of official capacity was opened in October 2025 after a complaint alleged that an elected district board member falsified government records to obtain reimbursements for services not rendered.
City of Rio Hondo
In Rio Hondo, the only contested race was for City Commissioner Pl. 4, where Esequiel Rios outlasted Olga Lydia Gallegos, 76 unofficial votes (74.51%) to Gallegos’ 26 votes (25.49%).
All votes are unofficial until canvassed.