By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Twelve persons have filed applications for places on the March 3, 2026 primary election
ballots during the first weekend of filing.
According to applications provided to The 830 Times by Val Verde County Republican
Party Chair Sharon Petitt, seven persons have filed to run in the Republican Party
Primary Election.
Val Verde County Democratic Party Chair Rosalinda Hernandez provided The 830
Times with the applications of five persons who have filed to run in the Democratic Party
Primary Election.
The Val Verde County Republican Party, led by Petitt, hosted a meet-and-greet and
signup event for prospective Republican candidates at Rudy’s Country Store and Bar-B-
Q from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.
One incumbent, Val Verde County Clerk Teresa Esther Chapoy, filed her application
with Petitt on Sunday. Chapoy is seeking re-election to the office she currently holds.
Chapoy on Sunday also drew an opponent from her own party. Adriana Acosta, who
listed her occupation as special education teacher, filed an application indicating she, too,
is seeking the office of county clerk.
Two persons filed for offices serving the whole county.
Robert Beau Nettleton, who served for more than 20 years as the county commissioner
for Precinct 3, filed an application indicating he will seek election to the office of county
judge. Nettleton, the owner of a Del Rio landscaping business, listed his occupation as
self-employed.
Also seeking an office serving the entire county is Mary Jane Ross. Ross, who is
currently employed as assistant county auditor, filed an application seeking the office of
Val Verde County District Clerk.
Two persons have filed applications for the office of Justice of the Peace Pct. 3, an office
held for many years by Judge Pat Cole. Cole told The 830 Times she will not seek re-
election in 2026 and will retire when her current term ends at the end of next year.
Ashly Vicuna, who currently works as Cole’s chief deputy clerk, has filed an application
indicating she will seek election to the office of Justice of the Peace Pct. 3.
A second Republican candidate has also filed an application for election to the Justice of
the Peace Pct. 3 office.
Maria “Mari” Acosta, who is currently employed as the Del Rio city secretary, filed an
application indicating she will seek the Justice of the Peace Pct. 3 office.
Rounding out the slate of Republican candidates is Christian Martinez. Martinez filed an
application indicating he will seek election to the office of Justice of the Peace Pct. 1.
The five Democratic Party candidates who have already filed applications for a place on
the Democratic Party Primary Election ballot did so on Saturday, the first day to file.
Val Verde County Democratic Party Chair Rosalinda Hernandez manned a desk and the
phones at the Democratic Party’s new headquarters, located at 902 S. Main St., to accept
the first slate of applications.
Justice of the Peace Pct. 1 Jesse James Trevino was the first person to file an application
for a place on the Democratic Party Primary Election ballot.
Trevino’s application indicates he will seek re-election to the position he currently holds.
Hernandez, the party chair, filed the day’s second application. She, too, will seek re-
election, as Val Verde County Democratic Party Chair.
The third person to file an application on Saturday was Del Rioan Loida S. Arellano.
Arellano, who lists her occupation as funeral director, filed an application indicating she
will seek election to the office of Justice of the Peace Pct. 3.
Del Rio Police Department Lt. Robert “Bobby” Hernandez filed the fourth application.
Hernandez’s application indicated he will seek the office of Justice of the Peace Pct. 2.
Val Verde County Judge Lewis G. Owens Jr. filed the fifth, and final, application on
Saturday. Owens will seek another term in the office he currently holds.
Filing for county offices runs through 6 p.m. Monday, Dec. 8.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
