By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Del Rio voters have picked Al Arreola Sr. as the city’s new mayor.
Voters in Del Rio City Council District I also elected Jesus Lopez Jr. as their new representative.
Arreola defeated Virgil Armstrong in a runoff election that culminated in the announcement of the unofficial vote totals outside the Val Verde County Courthouse Saturday.
Val Verde County Clerk Generosa “Janie” Ramon announced the unofficial final tally of ballots cast during the early voting period and on Election Day shortly after 8 p.m. Saturday.
Arreola had a total of 1,329 votes to Armstrong’s total of 1,020 votes.
She also announced the results of the District I race.
Lopez had a total of 400 votes, with his opponent, Mario Bosquez, drawing a total of 258 votes.
Arreola was not present outside the courthouse when his victory in the election was announced. Reached at his home later, Arreola said he tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday and is currently in quarantine along with his wife Myrella.
“God awarded me and put me in the position, so I’m ready for the challenge,” Arreola said in a telephone interview with the 830 Times.
Arreola thanked his son and daughter, as well as his brother-in-law, Mel Rodriguez, and sister-in-law, Cha-cha Rodriguez, for picking up the reins of his campaign while he and his wife were forced to stay in their home.
Arreola said his first reaction when he heard the final numbers Saturday was “to thank God for putting me in the position of being able to represent our community.”
“And then, truthfully, I cried, because emotionally this really drains you, and you want to win and sometimes when that victory comes, the emotion is kind of overwhelming,” Arreola said.
“To me, it’s been a blessing, talking to all the constituents, from the north side to the south side, San Felipe, everywhere. It’s been a blessing, and I hope I can represent them well and really use my skills in listening to do everything they expect from our community, our city,” he added.
Arreola said he also wanted to thank his opponent.
“I want to thank Mr. Armstrong. He presented well, and I think he did awesome. I think if he wants to stay focused and stay involved, participate,” Arreola said. He encouraged Armstrong to run for other elected offices, either in the city or other governmental bodies.
“I think that really gives you the passion for serving our community. I walked the streets and talked to people, and did everything I’d done in my previous elections and really saw the necessities in our community. And that’s how you see those things, you get out there and see them first-hand,” Arreola said.
“I give all the blessings to God, and hopefully He gives me the same to guide the city of Del Rio forward in the right direction,” Arreola added.
The city council will hold a special meeting on Monday, June 27, to canvass the ballots of the runoff election and to swear in the mayor and councilman.
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