Richard Cortez Announces for Hidalgo County Judge

Observations

Former McAllen mayor and current city commissioner Richard Cortez announced Tuesday morning that he will run for Hidalgo County Judge in the Democratic Party primary next March. Former County Judge Eloy Pulido has already said he is running and Jane Cross of McAllen is, so far, the only person seeking the GOP judge nomination.

Calling current County Judge Ramon Garcia “a mentor and a role model to many of the leaders and officials and community members throught his political career,” Cortez said that when Garcia let it be known he would not run again, and when friends started urging him the consider the job, he “felt a strong calling to serve and continue the standard of excellence with which he elevated the county.”

Cortez said he wants to continue making our area’s needs made known to officials in Austin and Washington.

He is a longtime Certified Public Accountant and, in addition to his terms as mayor and commissioner, Cortez also was an elected trustee of McAllen’s Public Utility Board, which operates the sewer and water systems.

“A proud Democrat,” Cortez declined to answer questions on various county issues, saying he will lay out his platform when he holds his campaign launch party.

By Davis Rankin

FUTURO McAllen