Low turnout in Cameron County runoffs

In the runoff elections held Tuesday, only 10 percent of eligible voters in Cameron County turned out to cast ballots in Democratic and Republican races.

“Usually there’s a significant drop in the people who participate,” Cameron County Elections Administrator Remi Garza said about the low turnout. “It’s primarily caused by that there are fewer races on the ballot. A lot of the more prominent races aren’t there, like the presidential race, and things like that, and you see the voters focus down to the three or four races.”

Garza said the results are unofficial until canvassed, which will be before June 2.

“We still have the provisional ballots to review and see if there are any overseas ballots to review,” Garza said Wednesday.

The total votes cast were 17,596 in the Democratic races and 2,093 in the Republican ones. Here are the results:

–For Cameron County judge, Brownsville attorney Eddie Treviño Jr. received 9,163 votes, defeating fellow attorney and former Pct. 4 Cameron County Commissioner Dan Sanchez, who received 8,184 votes.

–In the Cameron County Court at Law judge No. 4 race, Sheila Garcia Bence outpaced  Daniel T. Robles by a vote of 9,387 to 7,109.

–Estela Chavez Vasquez defeated Jesus T. “Chuy” Garcia Jr. in the race for County Court at Law judge No. 5 by a vote of 8,722 to 7,972.

–Democratic incumbent Sofia C. Benavides defeated Beatrice G. Rosenbaum by 2,111 to 1,806 votes for Precinct 1 Cameron County commissioner. Benavides does not have a Republican opponent.

–Democrat Abelardo “Abel” Gomez Jr. garnered 4,948 votes, defeating Pete Avila Jr., who fell short with 3,738 votes for Cameron County Precinct 2 constable.

–Democratic incumbent Omar Lucio Jr. will face off against Republican candidate Victor Cortez  for Cameron County sheriff on Election Day, Nov. 8.

Cortez received 1,040 of the votes cast in the runoff against his opponent Robert Rodriguez, who received 957 votes.

–Republican Pedro “Pete” Delgadillo will face off against Democrat Manuel “Manny” Hinojosa for Cameron County Precinct 1 constable.

Delgadillo received 262 votes cast in the runoff against his opponent Armando Mora, who received 225.