By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Sergio Rodriguez is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for the office of Val Verde County Commissioner Pct. 1.
Rodriguez is one of seven candidates who will be on the ballot for the office in the March 5 Democratic Party Primary Election.
Rodriguez was born in Ft. Stockton, Texas, but has lived in Del Rio since he was three months old, attended Del Rio schools and graduated from Del Rio High School in 2004.
As a high school junior, Rodriguez took a half-day of college courses offered by Southwest Texas Junior College. He graduated early from DRHS, after attending it for three years.
Rodriguez attended the University of Texas in San Antonio, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He started working right after he finished college, but has continued his education throughout his working life, receiving more than 13 years of post-high school education.
As a 16-year-old, Rodriguez worked as an intern at Amistad Bank in 2002, assisting the bank’s loan officer and learning to be a teller.
From there he went to IBC Bank, working at the bank’s Walmart branch and helping open the Veterans Boulevard branch. He worked as a teller, new accounts officer, assistant manager and branch manager.
While attending classes at UTSA, he was offered a position with USAA as a mortgage loan officer. He worked there for five years and while there, fell in love with investing.
He returned to Del Rio and went to work for BBVA Compass Bank (now PNC Bank).
He began working in investments as a full-time financial advisor in 2011 and earned his certification as a certified wealth strategist in 2016.
Rodriguez established his income tax business in 2011 and is the owner of Rodriguez Wealth Management, formerly Rodriguez Income Tax, which he debuted in August 2022.
Rodriguez also serves as the Del Rio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce’s director of economic development and small business.
Rodriguez said he decided to run for County Commissioner Pct. 1 to serve his community.
“The people of Val Verde County deserve a commissioner who is willing to fight for the greater good of its residents. Someone who will always put his county’s priorities over their own. For the longest time, I’ve sat and watched how our county continues to move backwards instead of forwards, due to administrative decisions that have impacted our community dearly.
“I have always been a public servant to my community through organizations I belong to, and I will forever be thankful to them, because they opened my eyes to what was going on behind the scenes in our town. I have witnessed firsthand how Precinct 1 has been lied to and deceived, which is why I want to run for commissioner,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez also discussed the priorities he will bring to commissioners court if elected.
“First and foremost, I have lived in San Felipe all my life, on Garza Street, Chapoy Street, Gutierrez Street. You name it, I’ve been there. So the first thing is infrastructure.
“It’s horrible, as I’m walking the streets, that’s the first thing people say. Look at these roads, they’re so embarrassing. I want better paved roads, better lighting in our residential and business areas. Why? Because at the end of the day, infrastructure and its quality affects where people and activities and businesses are located, which in turn affects economic growth,” he said.
Another priority is the San Felipe Cemetery.
“It is a historic site. I’d like to do new paving throughout the cemetery to allow easier access to destinations and possibly put together a team that will assist with ongoing maintenance and beautification,” he said.
He’s also committed to the Escondido Estates water project.
“It started back in 2011 with Commissioner Ramon. It’s been 14 years and because of The Border Organization and our residents association, we got the new entrance for residents, new pipe laid. There is a lot that went wrong, but a few households in Escondido Estates now have water.
“I want to oversee the continuation and completion of the current water project. Why? Because water is an essential key component of life and I want to make sure all of the residents out there have clean water in their homes,” he said.
Rodriguez also pledged to changing all of the county commissioners meetings to night meetings and to focus on park maintenance and improvements and animal control.
“All my life has been dedicated to my community, and as a county commissioner, you will receive my full attention and support. I bring to the table something no other candidate can bring and that is a person who is not afraid to stand up for what is right and a person who is not afraid to hold people accountable for their actions,” he said.
“My experience that I gained as a financial professional, both in the finance and banking industries is going to help me guide my community to a future that we and our children can enjoy.
“Lastly, I’m not a developer. I don’t own a construction company, and I am not in this race for real estate gain. I am in this race because my people and my community deserve nothing but the best, and that’s what I’m going to bring to the table. I’m not here to make any false promises, but what I can promise is that if I am elected county commissioner, every decision I make will be made with my best intentions and the county’s priorities above all,” Rodriguez said.
