Oliveira wins lucky 13

No. 13 proved lucky for state Rep. Rene Oliveira, who captured his 13th term to the District 37 office Tuesday with a win over opponent John Shergold.

With all precincts reporting, Oliveira had 12,330 votes (75.77 percent) while Shergold had 3,944 votes (24.23 percent).

“This is an extraordinarily satisfying victory to me and my supporters,” Oliveira said as the trend continued. “It is reassuring to know that the voters of my district were not swayed by negative campaigning and I feel so invigorated to go back and work for the people of my district.”

Without a Republican opponent in the November General Election, winning the Democratic nomination to the seat guarantees Oliveira another two years in office.

Shergold extended his congratulations to the incumbent. “I wish my opponent the best. The people made their choice and we respect their decision. We’re going to take the high road and wish Mr. Oliveira the best,” Shergold said.

In the early vote, Oliveira received 5,396 early votes (74 percent). Shergold got 1,937 early votes (26 percent).

Shergold fought hard to unseat Oliveira, a senior legislator who has rarely seen an opponent.

Even Oliveira observed that Shergold put up a good fight.

“I haven’t been opposed for nearly 10 years which is a compliment in and of itself, but this election helped me sharpen my focus and it reenergize me to work very hard for the people of Brownsville and the Valley,” Oliveira said.

Shergold has no regrets. “I would do it over again, we ran a good race. It was a memorable race,” he said.

Oliveira had been unopposed since 1998 but never stopped fundraising, allowing for a heavy war chest to run a campaign.

According to his most recent campaign filings, the incumbent candidate raised $222,721 from July 1, 2007 to March 3 this year.

Shergold raised $34,321 from Dec. 3, 2007 to Feb. 23 this year, nearly seven times less than Oliveira’s contributions.

Shergold ran a campaign focusing on special interests and lobbyists that finance Oliveira’s campaign, and pointed to the pitfalls, questioning $1,000 in tickets to Spurs games that Oliveira received from energy interests.

Also backed by groups affiliated with Republican causes, Oliveira, however, said receiving contributions from interests on both sides of the aisle were the “ultimate compliment,” and instead pointed to his, “broad base of support.”

Shergold urged Oliveira Tuesday to work toward funding trauma centers in the Laguna Vista area, more post offices and raises for teachers. Both candidates extended their gratitude to their friends, families and voters.