By RAY QUIROGA
publisher@sbnewspaper.com
Early voting for the local San Benito City Commissioners’ and the San Benito CISD Board of Trustees’ races commenced on Monday, April 22, and have experienced an uptick in voter turnout.
According to the voter count provided by the Cameron County Office of Elections and Voter Registration, a total of 698 ballots have been casted for the San Benito Commissioners’ race and 846 have been casted in the school district race as of the end of the day Wednesday.
In the City race, 254 ballots were casted on Monday, while 231 were casted on Tuesday and other 213 casted on Wednesday. As per the school district race, 300 were casted Monday while another 285 and 261 were casted on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectfully.
School board candidate and former SBCISD Superintendent of Schools Theresa Servellon commented on local media that she believes one of the reasons for the high early voter turnout is the importance this year’s school board election holds with one of the main issues revolving around the status of the embattled bond construction initiatives which have stalled for over a year.
Servellon is challenging incumbent and current board Vice-President, Dr. Ariel Ann Cruz-Vela for Pl. 1 on the board of trustees.
“With God’s grace and the support of my family and friends, I’m excited to announce my reelection campaign for San Benito CISD Board of Trustees, Place 1,” Cruz-Vela announced on Facebook in February of this year. “While serving as a board trustee these last three years, I have gained comprehensive knowledge of district operations. I have become familiar with our policies and procedures, curriculum, finances and I have a better understanding of the needs of our campuses and our district.”
She went onto add, “My husband and I are greatly appreciative of how this community has supported us with prayers and words of encouragement throughout this past year. It will be a great honor to continue serving this community as a SBCISD board trustee.”
Servellon, who was ushered out SBCISD Superintendent by the board majority which includes Cruz-Vela in the fall of 2023, also announced her intention to run for the school board in late February. “Through much prayer and with the support of my family and friends, I have decided to run for San Benito CISD school board Place 1,” she announced on Facebook. “I have served as an educator for 37 years in the role of teacher, principal, director, assistant superintendent, chief academic officer, and superintendent. My experience in instruction, finance, staffing, compensation, and construction will help to better serve our children and community. I will be a strong voice that will stand firm on what is in our students’ and taxpayers’ best interest,” she remarked.
Incumbents Mario Silva and Oscar Medrano, part of the current board minority, are also seeking reelection for Places 2 and 3, respectfully.
“With the guidance of God and the support of family and friends, I am seeking reelection for SBCISD School Board Place 2,” Silva posted on Facebook when he announced his intent to run for reelection. “I have served as a trustee for 15 years, and during that time, I have focused on ensuring I fulfill my responsibility to San Benito CISD’s students, staff and parents. I am looking forward to a positive campaign,” he posted.
For his part, Medrano posted, “With the Lord by my side, and with the support of my family, and friends, I have decided to undertake the important duty of providing continued service to our community by running for reelection. I am a native son of San Benito and an avid supporter of our Mighty Greyhounds — keeping my connection with our students, parents, and community members by attending academic and extracurricular events. I have made this my life’s work as I have sat on the school board for almost 15 years, and I am a visible, active member of our community.”
Medrano went on to write, “During my time on the board, many challenges arose, and I worked hard to give the community what they deserved and will continue to do so. I will always put our students first and I will truly listen to all stakeholders so that our district provides our students and staff with all they need to be successful.”
Challenging Silva and Medrano are Crystal Hernandez (Pl. 2) and local businessman Israel Villarreal III (Pl. 3). In late January, Villarreal posted his announcement on Facebook. “For 24 years, I served my country in the US Navy and for the last four years, I have served the City of San Benito as a member of the Veterans Advisory Board. With your support, I would like to further my service and commitment to our local community and our school district.”
He went on to add, “I firmly believe that my military leadership and experience, educational background, and entrepreneurial spirit will make me a valuable asset to the School Board of Trustees, the students, and the staff at San Benito CISD.”
Finally, in the school district race, former trustee, Victor Rosas is seeking to regain a spot on the school board as an independent, challenging Silva for Pl. 2.
On the City side, Rene Villafranco, who lost his spot on the commission in last year’s race, is vying to fill the Pl. 4 seat left vacant by Carol Lynn Sanchez who was voted off the commission last month for no longer residing within city limits. Villafrano is facing off with political newcomer Joe Navarro. Commissioner Pedro “Pete” Galvan is running unopposed in Pl. 3.
Early voting continues through April 30 at the San Benito Community Building, 210 E Heywood St, San Benito from 9 a.m.-7 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. on Saturday. Election Day is May 4.
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