EARLY VOTING HAS DECIDED SOME RACES, BUT NOT ALL

By Juan Montoya
Early voting totals have traditionally decided many two-candidate races even before election day comes around.
Yet, in the current Democratic and Republican parties races, many have more than two candidates and will be decided by the election-day voter turnout.
About 60 percent of the vote has already been cast in the last 10 days of early voting. But given the fact that this is a presidential year and that many voters like to wait until election day, the future of many candidacies hinge on the final day of voting.
"I usually like to wait until election day because it makes me feel like my vote will make a difference," said a man attending the Charo Days parade on Saturday. "I usually make my mind who to vote for at the last minute. That way if something happens that sheds light on some of the candidates, I feel I'm better prepared to make the choice."
This year there has been no shortage of anomalies in the voting process. For example, in the Cameron County judge's race, voters have a choice of voting for a county commissioner (Dan Sanchez) or a former city mayor (Eddie Treviño). Also on the ballot is a local attorney (Liz Garza) who is hoping to ride the wave of anti-LNG.
If the female vote turns out for the woman, it might throw throw the race into a runoff. Garza, who has reported a limited amount of fundraising, has been outspent by her male counterparts.
Some races – like the Pct. 1 commissioners race – has four candidates all vying for the Democratic party vote. Incumbent Sofia Benavides would seemt o have an edge after 10 years in the position, but Beatrice Rosenbaum – the Port of Brownsville industrial development manager  and wife of a former commissioner – is presenting a sturdy challenge. Fausto Martinez, a local Southmost businessman, will undoubtedly have a bearing on the election as will Joseph Cantu, a South Padre Island businessman and Air force veteran who is staunchly against the LNGs coming to the port.
If these differing constituencies turn out in force, we could see the makings of a runoff in that one.
The same applies to the two county courts-at-law races. The CC-at-Law #4 race has four candidates. Sheila Garcia Bence, of Harlingen, has made inroads into the Brownsville area in her race against Brownsville attorneys Rene Gomez, Carlos Monarrez and former judge Dan Robles. also of Harlingen. Robles, having held the position before, is likely considered one of those that will be in the runoff, although Gomez is well known and liked by his peers in Brownsville.
Likewise, the race for CC-at-Law 5 has former judge Noe Robles making a comeback to public life against former city commissioner Estela Chavez-Vasquez and surprising newcomer Jesus "Chuy" Garcia Jr.
During a recent debate, both men showed there is no love lost between them. Chavez-Vasquez, meanwhile, is fighting off the stigma of having had to leave the city commission because she was caught living in Los Fresnos while holding her seat. Will – as in the county judge's race – the female Latina vote drive this race to a runoff?
Of course, the candidates, regardless of how they feel a bout their chances in the election, want everyone to turn out.
Voting in the county has traditionally ranged between 8 to 10 percent, a fact that discourages many local residents.
"It's like if there are 10 people drifting in a life boat and only one guy makes the decision who gets what," said a local resident in line to cast his ballot in early voting. "That one voter can decide who gets water, food, or even if they get to stay in the boat. Vota o te votan!"