A first for Frio: Three candidates in run for county judge

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In a history-making general election for Frio County, voters will pick one of three choices in a race for the job of county judge on November 8.

Democratic Party candidate Rochelle Camacho, Republican Party candidate Jessica Villanueva and independent candidate Jose Asuncion are vying for the judge’s seat after Arnulfo Luna announced last year that he would retire at the end of 2022.

The Democratic Party nominee for the job this year prevailed in a crowded field of candidates in the March primary elections and then defeated her nearest challenger in a run-off election. The Republican Party candidate was unopposed in her bid for the party nomination. The independent was one of two declaring intent to run in the general election. Candidate Gilbert Ortiz is not listed on the county’s election ballot but identified himself as an independent vying for the position earlier this year.

Elections Administrator Carlos Segura has confirmed that Ortiz did not file documentation with constituents’ signatures to qualify for a place on the ballot. 

Despite the hotly contested election, roughly two percent of registered voters cast ballots on the first day of early voting, Monday, October 24. There are 9,124 registered voters in Frio County; Segura said only 178 cast ballots on Monday.

Early voting runs through Friday, November 4. Registered voters can cast their ballots between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Frio County Conference Room and on Saturday, Oct. 29, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. A polling station is also available at the Frio County Annex Building in Dilley from Monday, Oct. 31, through Friday, Nov. 4. Votes may be cast on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Election day is Tuesday, Nov. 8, eligible voters may cast their ballots at their designated voting box location.

Applications for ballots by mail must be received by the county no later than 5 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28.

In the event that none of the candidates in the general election garners more than 50 percent of the vote, a run-off election will be scheduled later in the fall. The prevailing candidate will be sworn into office for a four-year term on January 1.