Constable Horacio Zamora wants to keep Precinct 1 job
Eleven months after being appointed constable of Cameron County Precinct 1, Horacio Zamora has announced his candidacy in the 2010 election.
The Cameron County Commissioners’ Court in January selected Zamora, 49, a Democrat from Port Isabel, to fill the position.
The post became vacant then after Constable Jose "Joe" Maldonado Jr. resigned on Jan. 2, in exchange for not having criminal charges filed against him. He had faced possible deadly conduct and public intoxication charges.
Maldonado was initially appointed to the position in November 2008 to fulfill the term of Constable Saul P. Ochoa, who automatically surrendered the seat following his September 2008 conviction on federal drug charges. Ochoa today is serving a 57-month prison term.
Precinct 1 covers the Laguna Madre area, as well as parts of East Brownsville.
"I have the work ethic, the integrity and dedication to effectively carry out the duties and responsibilities required for this office," Zamora said in a press release. "Having dedicated my career to law enforcement, I have the skills and experience necessary to continue and carry out the responsibility and duties of Cameron County Constable Precinct 1."
Prior to being appointed the Precinct 1 constable, Zamora worked 10 years as an investigator with the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office. He also worked as a police officer for the Port Isabel Police Department for four years. In 1985, he served as a reserve deputy constable for Precinct 1.
Zamora said he and his deputies have worked hard to clean up Precinct 1, especially the Laguna Heights area that had been a trouble spot.
"In the eleven months that I have been constable, my deputies and I have worked diligently in locking up drug dealers, and keeping our streets safe for our families," Zamora said.
He added morale in his office has changed and the deputies seem much happier.
"People are happy and hopefully we can stay" in office to continue the work, Zamora said.
Zamora is married to Eva Martinez Zamora, of Port Isabel. The couple has four children.
