Escobedo to run for Cameron County Commissioner Precinct 2

Brownsville school board member Dr. Enrique Escobedo has announced his intentions to run for Cameron County Commissioner Precinct 2 in 2010.

A well-known name in Brownsville, Escobedo hopes to bring more familiarity to his name in other areas of Precinct 2, which in addition to northwest Brownsville includes Rancho Viejo and Los Fresnos.

Escobedo currently sits on the Brownsville Independent School District School Board, a position he has held since 2003. He serves as chief of medical affairs for a home health care agency.

After serving two terms on the school board, Escobedo said he would like to expand his community service efforts.

Escobedo kicked off an early campaign because he wants residents in Precinct 2 to become acquainted with his name. Earlier this week he announced his bid for the position.

Commissioner John Wood, who was first elected to the position in 2002 and re-elected in 2006, currently holds the position.

"It's going to be a difficult race and it's going to be a lot of door-to-door work to get the name recognition out there," Escobedo said.

Escobedo said he decided to run for the position so he could bring fresh ideas to the position. He pledged to work on the county's colonia program and on other services for the indigent.

Escobedo said he is still deciding if to run as a Democrat or Republican.

"I'm still weighing the options," Escobedo said, adding that party affiliation should not be relevant.

"That was one advantage in running for the school board," there are no partisan issues, Escobedo said.