By AYLEEN CANIZALES
editor@sbnewspaper.com
Now that the local San Benito City Commissioners’ and the San Benito CISD Board of Trustees’ General Election has come to a close, the public has an opportunity to see where the candidates chose to spend their campaign funds and who contributed to their cause.
Incumbent San Benito CISD School Board Trustee Ariel Cruz-Vela received a contribution of $1,500 from Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson LLP in monetary political contributions. She also acquired $519.60 worth of yard signs from Enrique and Nelda Cruz, $613.78 in campaign shirts from Franciso, Elvia and Lourdes Gomez, and $518 worth of signs from Arnold and Alma Garcia in non-monetary political contributions. Spending through credit card, Cruz-Vela purchased $194 worth of stickers labeled “re-elect” for signs and $1,003.48 on large signs from J Maya Designs & Graphics LLC. Finally, she spent $497.28 worth of push cards from Allegra Printing in Harlingen.
Newcomer and vying for place on the school board, Crystal L. Hernandez reported receiving multiple monetary political contributions totaling to $805 from contributors Juan Hernandez, Ram Rodriguez, Maria Salazar, Laura Solis, Gloria Hernandez, Samantha Salazar and Ricky Barrientos. She also received $900 worth of shirts from EJ’s Design, $1,000 worth of signs from Bernardo Diaz and $500 worth of signs from William Hamby in non-monetary political contributions.
In loans, Hernandez reported receiving $7,000 from lender Jose L. Salazar. Hernandez utilized the contributions received by buying $434.95 for poles and ties from Lowes, $7,080.63 total on signs from J Maya Designs & Graphics LLC, and $816.64 for push cards from Allegra. Spending through credit card, Hernandez purchased $362.49 from Lowes for t-posts and cable ties.
Israel Villarreal, also vying for a place on the school board, utilized personal funds to purchase $2,000 worth of signs from The Print Shop, $500 worth of shirts from J Maya Designs & Graphics LLC, and $600 worth of food and beverage expenses for a political gathering at 80s Bar and Grill, LLC.
School board trustee incumbent Mario Silva received multiple monetary political contributions totaling to $2,500 from contributors Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson LLP, Mark Silva and Mario Silva II. Mario Silva also contributed $1,881.78 to his campaign funds through a loan. Utilizing political contributions, Silva purchased $2,000 worth of political advertising from Chuy’s Custom Sports, $257.09 on food and beverages for an event at Rolling Smoke BBQ, $226.66 on political flyers from Cross Printing, $440 total worth of campaign shirts from Sabrina Silva, $114.34 for food and beverage expenses when meeting with constituents to HEB, $634.35 on political sign supplies from Chuy’s Custom Sports and $420.98 total on political sign supplies from McCoy’s. Silva still owes $1,858.03 in unpaid incurred obligations to Chuy’s Custom Sports for political advertising.
Oscar Medrano received a total of $2,000 in monetary political contributions from Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson LLP, Mario Medrano and Elida Torres. Medrano utilized these contributions to purchase $1,244.88 worth of campaign items and signs from Chuy’s Custom Sports, $520 worth of signs from J Maya Designs & Graphics LLC and $86.52 worth of copies from Gulf Coast Paper Co. Inc.
Challenger for a spot on the board, Theresa Servellon received a total of $6,500 in monetary political contributions from Hector and Ninfa De La Garza, Juan Cruz, Sandra Tumberlinson, Juanita Garcia and Fidel and Yvonne Guerra.
Servellon utilized her political contributions to purchase $67.07 on cable ties from McCoy’s, $100 worth of gift cards from Walmart, $33.12 on cable ties and nails from Home Depot, $3,000 worth of signs and push cards from Chuy’s Custom Sports, $401.39 on t-shirts from J Maya Design & Graphic LLC, $144.34 for food and travel for a meet and greet event at HEB, $86.52 worth of paper from Gulf Coast Paper, $224.66 from Eder Cruz in sample ballots, $19 on food and water from Walgreens and $30 in gas from Stripes.
Independent challenger for a seat on the board, Victor Rosas utilized personal funds to purchase $46.46 in fundraising tickets from Dick Office Supply, a heft $1,000 in posters from Lonestar Printing, $970.23 worth of enchilada plates, $80 worth of shirts from Lonestar Printing and $60.41 for wood and tie downs for posters from Home Depot.
With regards to the City of San Benito Commissioner’s race, challenger and former City Commissioner, Rene Villafranco received a total of $4,100 worth of monetary political contributions from Garcia Law Firm, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson LLP, Jonathan Sakulenzki and J. Fernando Lopez. Under unexpended contributions, Villafranco contributed $470.80 to his campaign. Villafranco utilized these contributions to purchase $2,218.05 total in political signs from M5 Designs, $42.15 in stakes for yard signs from Home Depot, $350.73 worth of yard signs from Chuy’s Custom Sports, $28.02 total in zip ties from Harbor Freight & Tools, $800 worth of campaign shirts from J Maya Design & Graphic LLC, $353.17 in push cards from Chuy’s Custom Sports, $408.68 total in meals for volunteers from Whataburger, El Taco Jardin, Wing Stop, Cane’s, Blanquitas #2 and McDonalds, $19.46 in campaign shirts from Cheer Haven LLC, $29.23 in shirts from HTV Plus, $6.47 in ice from Stripes and $50 in shirts from Maya Designs.
Political newcomer and also vying for a seat on the City Commission, Jose Navarro received a total of $750 from Ramiro Gonzalez and current Commissioner Tom Goodman. Navarro utilized the monetary political contributions to purchase $1,385 in political signs from Fiesta Graphics. Spending through credit card, Navarro purchased $462.23 worth of campaign shirts from AllDayShirts.com and $228 in campaign shirts from FM Expressions. Navarro purchased with his own funds $1,385 worth of signs from Fiest Graphics.
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