Second candidate enters Precinct 4 commission race

Make it two candidates now seeking to fill the Cameron County Precinct 4 Commissioner seat.

Eladio "Lyle" Garza, 38, of Harlingen has announced his candidacy to fill the position following Precinct 4 Commissioner Edna Tamayo’s announcement earlier this year that she will not seek re-election.

Tamayo’s term ends at the end of December 2010.

In May, Harlingen resident Juan Ortega announced his intentions to run for Precinct 4 Commissioner.

Garza, who will be running as a Democrat, is a project manager for Professional Services Industries, a national geo-technical engineering and testing firm.

"The driving force of my decision to run for the office of county commissioner in Precinct 4 is the need to maintain advocacy and responsible governance in the county," Garza said in a press release. "Commissioner Tamayo leaves behind a strong legacy of leadership, challenging the status quo and fighting for taxpayers. My experience both personally and professionally has prepared me to take the helm and move Precinct 4 in a forwarding progression."

Garza is a member of the board of trustees of the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District, chairman-elect of the Harlingen Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and vice-chairman of the Harlingen Housing Authority.

Garza said he plans to put the interest of the community first and has already started meeting with members of the communities that comprise Precinct 4, which include Santa Rosa, Rio Hondo, El Ranchito and Arroyo City just to name a few.

Precinct 4 also covers areas near La Feria, Santa Maria and La Paloma.

Garza has already received the endorsement of Tamayo, who has held the position since 2002.

"I am definitely endorsing him," Tamayo said on Monday. He’s very, very capable" of handling the duties of a county commissioner. "He has all the values of the person I would want taking over this precinct."

Garza said it’s a great honor to have the endorsement of Tamayo and knows that he will "have some big shoes to fill" if elected to the position.

Garza is married to Celina Garza and has three daughters.