In a momentous declaration, the Laredo City Council has set in stone the results of the tightly contested runoff election, ushering Rick Garza into the office as the new representative for District Four.
Garza steps into shoes left vacant by the term-limited Alberto Torres, embarking on a political journey shrouded in challenges and promise.
The electoral clash was nothing short of nail-biting, with merely a handful of votes distinguishing the victor from his rival, Tannya Benavides. It was a race where every vote counted significantly.
During the council’s convening, the City Secretary meticulously unpacked the official tally: Garza emerged with 935 votes, accounting for an impressive 52.59%, while Benavides trailed closely with 843 votes, translating to 47.1%. The atmosphere was electric as the numbers confirmed the outcome.
Although Garza was notably absent from the council meeting, our team at KGNS seized the opportunity to glean insights into his vision for the district during a follow-up discussion.
In his words, “We’re not gonna reinvent the wheel. We’re gonna take from where he [Torres] left off, identify projects that were overlooked, and see them through. Following that, we’ll curate our own list of initiatives tailored for the district’s growth.”
A critical issue looms large in Garza’s agenda: the pressing concern surrounding water. Eager to collaborate with fellow council members, he’s committed to crafting robust solutions that will tackle this essential resource challenge.
Additionally, Garza’s ambitions extend to the very infrastructure of the district; enhancing sidewalks and amplifying street lighting are just the tip of the iceberg in his broader plans for revitalization.
The ceremonial swearing-in of Garza is slated for January 2 at Laredo City Hall, marking the dawn of a new chapter in local governance.
