President Barack Obama, seen here in this file photo taken during his visit to the University of Texas at Brownsville in 2008, has secured reelection to a second term. (Staff photo by Ray Quiroga)
By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com
The results are in as President Barack Obama was elected to a second term against Republican nominee Mitt Romney. Obama was victorious after cementing victories in the same key battleground states he claimed in 2008.
As of 12 midnight on Tuesday, Obama’s securing of Ohio’s 18 electoral votes put the president over the 270 needed to win reelection. To Obama’s 303, which were calculated as of presstime, Romney won 206 electoral votes. Florida was still too close to call at that time but had the president in a slight lead.
According to uncanvassed votes, the seat for United States Representative, District 34, went to Democratic candidate Filemon Vela, 88,781 votes to Republican challenger Jessica Puente Bradshaw’s 51,338 and Libertarian Steven (Ziggy) Shanklin’s 2,685.
District 38 State Rep. Eddie Lucio III, a Democrat, defeated Republican Alex Torres, 22,071 to 7,612. Libertarian candidate Nancy Mishou accounted for 1,240 votes.
“We’re very humbled by the support of the voters in District 38,” Rep. Lucio said following his victory. “We did not take anything for granted. We worked extremely hard. There can be times when an incumbent may become complacent, but we worked really hard and am very happy that we actually had an election, because it allows us to get closer to the people.”
There won’t be much time for celebrating; however, as the representative said he has a busy schedule ahead of him. “The sole focus now is on the legislative session,” Rep. Lucio said. “You work so hard just for an opportunity to serve, so my intention is to get my staff ready for a number of important issues. I want to maintain what we have now but also build on our education, address infrastructure problems and do so much more. The next session is going to have a very interesting dynamic. It’ll be different.”
Meanwhile, the projected winner of the race for Cameron County Sheriff was Democratic incumbent Omar Lucio, who defeated Republican challenger Santiago “Jimmy” Manrrique, 51,344 votes to 23,236.
“I thank God for giving us this victory, and my family and all the people that helped me financially,” Lucio said after learning of his victory, adding his plans for this his fourth term as sheriff. “We’ve already set up a program in which we’ve hired an additional 13 officers, and we’ve got a canine that can sniff out money and weapons. I want to have it at the bridges as not only a deterrent but to put a stop to some of the activity there.”
The sheriff said he also plans to conduct more patrol and to get more involved in local schools by helping educate about the dangers of bullying.
Democrat Luis V. Saenz outgained Republican candidate Chuck Mattingly, 49,113 votes to 24,619 to seemingly win the race for Cameron County District Attorney.
County Tax Assessor-Collector Tony Yzaguirre, a Democrat, defeated Republican challenger Moses Sorola, 48,376 to 19,935.
Once again winning reelection as the Precinct 3 Cameron County Commissioner was David A. Garza, 11,675 to Republican Manuel Abrego’s 6,426.
Another incumbent who will keep his seat is Pct. 3 Cameron County Constable Joe Cavazos, a Democrat, who defeated Republican Robert Lopez with 7,289 votes to 4,126.
Read this story in the Nov. 7 edition of the San Benito News, or subscribe to our E-Edition by clicking here.
3 comments
A hug
Hey Pablo, maybe Rush Limbaugh can give u a HUH 🙂
Way to go AMERICA!!! UGH! I’m going to cry.