Esteban "Steve" Guerra will be Cameron County's next judge after defeating Republican Mauro Garza by a wide margin in Tuesday's Nov. 3 election.
Guerra, a Democrat, received 65,834 votes, or 66.89%, compared with Garza's 32,584 votes, or 33.11%, according to unofficial results from the Cameron County Elections Department.
The results remain unofficial until the county completes its canvassing process.
The county judge presides over the Cameron County Commissioners Court, which adopts the county budget, oversees services and makes decisions affecting communities including Harlingen, Palm Valley, Primera and Combes.
Guerra succeeds Treviño
The seat had no incumbent on the November ballot. Eddie Treviño Jr., who held the position, lost his bid for another term in the May Democratic primary runoff, according to KRGV.
Guerra is an entrepreneur with experience in trucking, marketing consulting, restaurant and hotel ownership, and real estate, according to ValleyCentral's candidate profile.
He also served eight years on the Brownsville Navigation District Board of Commissioners, which governs the Port of Brownsville, including four years as chairman.
That experience was central to his campaign for county judge.
Campaign priorities
Guerra campaigned on lowering property taxes, encouraging investment, supporting first responders and improving government accountability.
His campaign website also identified infrastructure, drainage and job creation as priorities.
Garza campaigned on infrastructure upgrades, investments in the county's water future, job creation and border security.
Both candidates emphasized economic development and county services, though they presented different approaches to county leadership.
Speaking to KRGV during election coverage, Guerra emphasized his experience serving on the Port of Brownsville board and said he was prepared to work for Cameron County residents.
What the county judge oversees
The Cameron County judge serves as the presiding officer of the Commissioners Court, which governs county operations alongside four elected commissioners.
The court is responsible for adopting the county budget and tax rate, approving expenditures, maintaining county facilities and overseeing services such as roads, public safety and emergency management.
According to Cameron County's September budget announcement, commissioners adopted a $265.3 million budget for fiscal year 2026-27.
That budget funds law enforcement, roads, infrastructure, health and welfare services, parks and other county operations.
Guerra will enter office with responsibility for helping oversee those services and future county spending decisions.
Results await certification
Guerra's victory follows a contested election to replace Treviño, who had served as county judge since 2017.
The election-night totals showed Guerra winning approximately two-thirds of the vote.
The results remain subject to the county's canvassing and certification process.
