By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Real estate appraiser Fernando Garcia has defeated restaurant owner Eddie Amezcua Jr. for the Republican Party nomination for the office of Val Verde County Commissioner Pct. 3.
Garcia will now run unopposed in the November General Election and will likely become the precinct’s first new commissioner in more than two decades. The incumbent, County Commissioner Pct. 3 Beau Nettleton, announced in 2023 he would not seek another term on the court.
According to unofficial final results of the primary election announced Tuesday by County Clerk Teresa Esther Chapoy, Garcia received a total of 577 votes, while Amezcua received a total of 525 votes, a difference of 52 votes.
The results of the election won’t be official until they are canvassed by county commissioners court.
Garcia, who waited for the election results at the courthouse by himself, shook hands with Amezcua following the announcement of the final results just before 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, and the two men exchanged a few quiet words, both of them smiling.
Garcia spoke to The 830 Times about his victory.
“I had a couple of supporters who were working with me behind the scenes, but at times, I felt like it was one man versus the machine, but my hat’s off to Eddie. He ran a great campaign.
“I feel very, very surprised, especially coming in second (out of the initial four candidates) in the primary and then being able to pull this off with about a 50-vote victory; I’m ecstatic,” Garcia said.
Garcia also spoke about being selected the precinct’s first new commissioner in more than two decades.
“I’m proud and honored that the voters of the precinct chose me, and they had four good candidates to pick from, so, yes, I’m ecstatic,” Garcia said.
The writer can be reached at delriomagnoliafan@gmail.com
