By Joel Langton
The 830 Times
Texas House District 74 candidate Robert Garza said Wednesday that family commitments kept him from attending The Border Organization’s Sunday candidate forum, responding to criticism of his absence by an Eagle Pass publication.
Garza felt like the attack was unfair and that he had met with The Border Organization prior to the forum. TBO felt like Garza was going to try and be back for their Sunday event.Â
Gage Brown, an organizer with TBO confirmed that Garza met with them on Sept. 29. They just felt he implied he’d try and be back.
Brown said organizers understood Garza would try to return for Sunday’s forum. Garza said he had explained that his granddaughter’s baptism and related family activities would prevent him from attending.
Wednesday morning, Garza said, “there was no way I was missing my granddaughter’s christening. I wanted to enjoy my time with family.” Garza’s granddaughter’s christening was on Saturday, she was introduced at church on Sunday followed by family activities.
The following statement appeared on Garza’s Robert Garza for Texas State Representative Tuesday afternoon.
Statement from Robert Garza for HD 74 Campaign:Â
Mr. Garza was invited to The Border Organization’s candidate forum and met with the organization to answer their questions and concerns at his office on Tuesday, September 29, 2026.
He explained several times that the date and time of the forum created a scheduling conflict with his granddaughter’s baptism in Harris County. The organization considered changing the date but ultimately declined to reschedule. Mr. Garza again reminded the organization early on Sunday that he could not attend because of family events. For Robert Garza, family and faith come first.
No Republican candidates attended the forum, yet Robert Garza was singled out for a negative headline. The News Leader also failed to mention State Rep. Eddie Morales’ absence from an important special legislative session on congressional redistricting at the Capitol in Austin, where he was needed to create a quorum and to represent his constituents.
Robert Garza has a proven record of showing up to represent his constituents, serving 4 years as Del Rio Mayor, 8 years as Del Rio City Councilman, 6 years as San Felipe Del Rio School Board Trustee and 2 years as Brackettville City Councilman.
He will continue to put family, faith, and community first as he seeks to serve House District 74.
