By Karen Gleason
The 830 Times
Jesus Lopez Jr. has won the runoff election for the District I seat on the Del Rio City Council.
Lopez won the election with an unofficial total of 400 votes. His opponent in the runoff, Mario Bosquez, finished the race with an unofficial total of 258 votes, according to results announced Saturday.
Val Verde County Clerk Generosa “Janie” Ramon, who was contracted as the administrator for the municipal election, announced the unofficial results of the council race just after 8 p.m. Saturday.
Lopez waited for the announcement of the election results outside the courthouse with his wife of nearly 43 years, Justice of the Peace Pct. 4 Hilda Lopez.
Results of early voting in the runoff were announced shortly after 7 p.m., and showed Lopez with a comfortable lead of more than 100 votes.
“I feel blessed, and thank God. We ran an honest race. Mr. Bosquez and I ran side-by-side, as friends, with nothing against each other and probably tried to help each other out more than being against each other, but I’m glad I was elected, and I’m going to work with the rest of the council for the people,” Lopez said after the results were announced.
“I’m going to see what needs to be done, what has to be done, what hasn’t been done, what the needs of the city are and what the needs of the constituents are,” Lopez said.
Lopez said he is particularly interested in looking at the infrastructure needs of his south Del Rio district and of the city as a whole.
“I’m really looking at streets because when they finish developing a neighborhood and houses are done, and the city goes and opens up new sewer lines and all that, and the street is all messed up. Once they’re done developing, go fix the streets. As a courtesy, make them sidewalks,” Lopez said.
Lopez said he believes the city has been working to improve streets, but adds he feels that more can be done.
Lopez said he appreciates everyone who voted in the city election.
“I want to thank the good Lord, the constituents, the people who had faith and are giving me an opportunity to represent them and see if I can make some kind of a difference,” Lopez said.
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