YZAGUIRRE ISSUES AN "APPEAL TO REASON" FOR COUNTY VOTERS IN TAX OFFFICE ELECTION

(Ed.'s Note: Back in 1988, then-local attorney Tony Garza garnered the support of four Cameron County commissioners  - all Democrats - to defeat Ray Ramon. He became the first Republican since Reconstruction to become county judge in traditionally-Democratic Cameron County.

When the commissioners endorsed Garza, they published "An Appeal To Reason" in several county newspapers where they said that despite being good Democrats, they could not support Ramon and quoted John F. Kennedy when he said that "Sometimes party loyalty demands too much." The voters then agreed and Garza was elected. Outgoing Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector Tony Yzaguirre is now appealing to the voters to consider voting for Jesus Rami Martinez over his fellow Democrat Eddie Garcia. He states his reason below.)   

By Antonio “Tony” Yzaguirre Jr.

Cameron County Tax Assessor-Collector, CTA, RTA, CSTA

"When you vote on November 5th, choose a candidate, whether democrat, republican or independent, who has the experience, qualifications, and vision to lead the Tax Assessor-Collector’s Office effectively..."

On November 5, 2024, the voters of Cameron County will make critical decisions about their leadership, from national to local offices, including the important role of County Tax Assessor-

Collector. As someone who has served in this role for nine terms, I can confidently say that experience, qualifications, and the ability to manage a complex, multimillion-dollar operation are crucial for this position.

In 1988, when I was first elected to this office, voters chose someone with extensive experience, formal education in tax administration, and state certification.


This was not by accident—voters understood that the role of Tax Assessor-Collector requires more than just good intentions; it demands a deep understanding of tax law, property appraisal, and fiscal management. Over the years, this office has grown from 3 offices with 32 employees to 11 offices with 107 employees, collecting over $534 million annually in property taxes, not to mention millions in motor vehicle transactions. The complexities involved in running this office effectively are significant, and it takes someone with experience in the field to manage this responsibility.

This year, the voters face a decision between two candidates: Jesus "Rami" Martinez and Eddie Garcia.

Let’s examine their qualifications closely.

Why Rami Martinez Is the Better Choice:

Extensive Educational Background: Rami holds a bachelor's degree in Applied Arts & Science and a master’s degree in Public Affairs, and he is a Certified Public Manager. His education is directly relevant to the responsibilities of the office, providing him with the tools to understand complex fiscal, legal, and administrative issues.

Relevant Experience in Taxation and Property Appraisal: Rami has 18 years of management experience, including 6 years with the Cameron County Appraisal District. During this time, he oversaw divisions like mapping, deeds, and personal property. His experience working with the very systems and processes that directly impact the Tax Assessor-Collector’s office gives him a critical understanding of how to manage these responsibilities effectively. He has firsthand experience working on tax assessment and property appraisals, areas directly linked to this office.

Proven Leadership and Management Skills: Rami’s background in managing various divisions means he has the leadership skills necessary to oversee a team of over 100 employees, spread across 11 offices, and ensure smooth operation and customer service for all of Cameron County's taxpayers. His management experience ensures that services will not only continue efficiently but may even improve under his leadership.

Concerns with Eddie Garcia's Qualifications:

Lack of Relevant Experience: Eddie Garcia, while a respected retired police officer with 32 years of service, does not have any experience related to the management of taxes, property appraisals, or fiscal administration. The position of Tax Assessor-Collector is not about law enforcement; it requires knowledge of the financial and legal processes that govern tax collection and property appraisal.

No Background in Taxation or Property Management: Unlike Rami, Eddie Garcia has not worked in any capacity within the tax or property assessment fields. His lack of experience raises concerns about whether he could effectively manage the complexities of this office.

Why Experience Matters for Taxpayers:

The role of Tax Assessor-Collector is critical to the financial health of Cameron County. It involves handling millions of dollars in taxpayer money, ensuring proper assessments, and managing a large staff across multiple locations. The wrong leadership could result in inefficiencies, poor service, and even financial mismanagement.

Voters should carefully consider who is better prepared to handle these responsibilities. Rami Martinez not only brings relevant experience and a strong educational background but has proven leadership in managing the complexities of tax assessment and property appraisal. Eddie Garcia, while accomplished in his own field, lacks the necessary qualifications for this specialized role.

Why I Care, and Why You Should Too:

I’ve dedicated my life to making the Cameron County Tax Office what it is today—a self-sustaining, efficient operation that serves all taxpayers across our county. One of the accomplishments I am most proud of is the consolidation of all taxing entities into a single tax bill. Believe me, this was not an easy task—it took over 30 years of relentless work to unify the entire county under one system. For those of you who remember, taxpayers in Harlingen, Port Isabel, and Los Fresnos once had to visit two or three different offices just to pay their taxes. I brought it all together, and it took sweat, blood, and tears.

To think that all this hard work could be undone by someone with no experience in this field deeply concerns me. We are already seeing early warning signs—taxpayers now find themselves in situations where they have to make payment arrangements with two separate law firms, leaving them caught in the middle. This is not just inefficient; it’s dangerous for taxpayers.

As a fellow taxpayer myself, I know how important it is to have a reliable, experienced leader managing our tax collections. The wrong leadership could turn this well-oiled machine into a disaster, and that’s something I cannot stand by and watch happen.

I urge you to think about who will be handling our tax collections moving forward. Experience matters, and the wrong choice could have long-lasting consequences for all of us.

The Risks of Electing Unqualified Candidates

The election for this position should be a non-partisan vote and should not be a popularity contest. It’s about selecting someone who is capable and qualified to manage one of the most important departments in our county—our finances. I’ve seen what happens when inexperienced individuals take over critical positions in other departments, and the results are devastating. Departments are run into the ground when the wrong people are in charge, leading to chaos, inefficiency, and financial mismanagement.

This office handles millions of taxpayer dollars every year—money that funds essential services throughout the state and our community. But it’s not just county taxes at stake here. The Tax Assessor-Collector’s office is responsible for collecting taxes for county, city, and school districts. Any disruption or mismanagement in this office could have serious repercussions across all these entities, affecting funding for schools, public safety, infrastructure, and more.u


Would you entrust an unqualified individual to handle and balance your personal finances? Of course not. Then why would we allow a retired law enforcement officer, with no experience in taxation or property assessment, to manage Cameron County’s tax collections? It simply doesn’t make sense.

The risk of putting someone unqualified in charge of this office is enormous. We’re talking about the potential for disrupted services, mistakes in tax billing, and mismanagement of funds that could cost taxpayers dearly. If collections are mismanaged, it’s not just one department that suffers—it’s the entire county, every city, and all our schools. 

This could lead to budget shortfalls that might force cuts in vital services, delays in infrastructure projects, and inadequate school funding. This is why I am deeply concerned. As someone who has worked hard to build this office into an efficient, well-functioning operation, it pains me to think that all of that could be undone by electing someone without the proper background.

I care because this office matters. It affects every taxpayer in Cameron County, including myself. And you should care too—because the consequences of poor leadership in this office could impact us all.

In conclusion, when you vote on November 5th, choose a candidate, whether democrat, republican or independent, who has the experience, qualifications, and vision to lead the Tax Assessor-Collector’s office effectively. Rami Martinez is that candidate.