Possible Independent candidate for commissioner Pct. 2 in November

The person who captures the Democratic Party’s nomination for Cameron County Precinct 2 commissioner won’t face a Republican candidate in the November general election — but could face an independent candidate.

While Tuesday’s Democratic Party primary top contenders Ruben R. Peña and Ernie L. Hernandez Jr. focus on the upcoming April 13 runoff election for the party’s nomination to the Precinct 2 commissioner post, community activist Fernando Ruiz is considering challenging the victor of that contest in November as an independent.

As per the Texas Election Code, Ruiz filed a declaration of intent to run as an independent candidate for the commissioner post, submitting the declaration to Cameron County Judge Carlos Cascos by the Jan. 4 deadline.

Ruiz, who frequently addresses local elected officials during governmental meetings with concerns regarding increases in appraisals, rates, fees, and debt, said that he has participated in the electoral processes of both the Democratic and Republican parties and is disassociating himself from them.

"I am not satisfied with the way that they run government," Ruiz said, pointing to high debt and the state of the economy.

"I threw my ‘hat’ in there (with the declaration) because if I did not like a candidate, I still would have a chance to make a difference," said Ruiz of the declaration of intent.

Before Ruiz’s name can be placed on the November ballot, he must secure signatures of registered voters who did not vote in the primaries equaling at least five percent of votes cast in Precinct 2 for all gubernatorial candidates in the 2006 general election.

He also must file an application to be placed on the ballot.

Cameron County Department of Elections & Voter Registration Administrator Roger Ortiz was calculating the number of signatures that would be required in the event that Ruiz proceeds with his plans.

Meanwhile, Eddie Treviño and John Wood, the two contenders in the April runoff for the Democratic Party’s nomination for county judge, have been courting the third candidate on Tuesday’s ballot, Rebecca Gomez, who received 2,406 votes, with hopes of attracting her votes in the runoff.

Although Wood and Treviño each said Wednesday that Gomez had given them her support, Gomez said Thursday that she did not officially commit to Wood and is supporting Treviño.

She said she had agreed to have lunch with Wood Wednesday at Chef Ricardo Restaurant, but stood him up because she ultimately didn’t want to talk to him.

On Wednesday, Wood found it odd that she had changed her mind.

But, as Gomez pointed out, at the end of the day, "People will vote their conscience."