Peña announces bid for county Precinct 2 commissioner

A local attorney has announced his candidacy in the Cameron County Commissioners’ Court Precinct 2 race in 2010.

Ruben Peña, 61, of Brownsville, is one of a handful of candidates who have announced they plan to run for the position currently held by Commissioner John Wood. Wood has not yet said whether he will seek re-election.

Peña will be seeking the Democratic Party’s nomination during the March primary.

"We are in one of the fastest-growing areas of the county and we need to make sure that local, state and federal governments work together to get the biggest bang for their buck, while keeping taxes low," Peña said in his political announcement.

He said he supports exploring green technology and green jobs and is committed to preserving and promoting the county’s wealth of natural resources. He also advocates a salary reduction for members of the Commissioners’ Court, saying county officials need to understand the tough economic times people are going through.

"Cameron County really needs to step up to the plate," Peña said.

If elected, he said, he would recommend that commissioners vote to reduce their salaries by $10,000 each. Currently, they are paid $46,173 a year.

He also would ask whoever is the next county judge to reduce his or her salary by $10,000. The county judge’s post currently pays $64,062 a year.

Peña said that if Commissioners’ Court doesn’t agree with the idea, he would donate $10,000 to a charity, if elected.

He also advocates precinct-specific plans to address growth and diversity in the different precincts.

"Precinct 2 is a growing precinct with unique needs within Los Fresnos, Rancho Viejo, Olmito, Brownsville and San Pedro. We have a growing population and a need for infrastructure improvements," Peña said, citing the miles of roads that need attention.

"We need to be proactive and seek to get a bigger bang for our buck," he said.

Peña has served on the Cameron County Housing Authority board, the Andy Bowie Ad Hoc Land Use Committee and has volunteered with the Family Crisis Center and the Cameron County Willacy Foster Care Christmas Project.

He is married to Irma Sanchez Peña and has four children and 3 grandchildren.