By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
A trio of candidates who won election and re-election bids for county offices today spoke about their excitement at winning their election and getting to work.
The election winners were present during a special meeting of Val Verde County Commissioners Court Friday, where the election results were canvassed and became official.
County Commissioner Pct. 3-elect Fernando Garcia said he was excited about taking his seat on county commissioners court next year.
Garcia told The 830 Times, “I’m excited. I think things are going to go well for the county. I think all the newly-elected officials are feeling excited and pumped up and ready for a new year.”
Garcia then spoke briefly to County Commissioner Pct. 1-elect Kerr Wardlaw, with whom he will share a freshman term on the court.
When Garcia gently chided him for being late to the meeting, Wardlaw smiled and said he and his father, sitting County Commissioner Pct. 1 Martin Wardlaw, had been overseeing a food distribution event.
Kerr Wardlaw, too, said he was excited and happy for the chance to serve on the court.
He also spoke about this writer’s long involvement with covering the court.
“It’s kind of incredible to me that you’re here, taking my statement and writing this article, and that you were there at my parents’ house on Las Vacas Street in 1982 when I was five years old and had just gotten done walking the streets for my dad’s election. I remember you interviewing my dad at the victory party,” Wardlaw said.
“It’s really been an incredible journey, and I’m really, really looking forward to the next four years,” he added.
Also present for the canvass were County Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez and County Tax Assessor Collector Elodia “Loly” Garcia, who both won re-election to the seats they now hold.
Garcia, who won her re-election bid by a slender, 31-vote margin, said she was “extremely relieved.”
“I’m glad this is finally over with, but like I said before, every vote counts. If 22 people hadn’t come out during early voting, I wouldn’t be here right now. People need to come out to vote,” Garcia said.
“I would like to thank everyone who came out to vote in this General Election. This meant a lot to me, because, as you saw, between me and my opponent, it was very close, so this tells me again that every vote counts, and I want to encourage people again to make sure and get out and vote in the next election.
“I look forward to continuing my service as county tax assessor collector for the next four years. As I’ve said before, my door is always open, and I like talking to people one-on-one, and again, I can’t thank you all enough,” she added.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com.
