Progreso City Council Calls for Special Election Following Court Order

Progreso

Progreso City Council Calls for Special Election Following Court Order

Progreso, TX – The city of Progreso will hold a special election this November to fill three vacant alderman seats after the city council formally called for the election during a special meeting this evening. This decision comes a day after Hidalgo County Judge Joel Johnson ordered the city to hold the election for places one, three, and five.

Background on the Legal Dispute

In early August, Mayor Hugo Gamboa called for a special election during a city council meeting, but the motion failed to pass. As a result, Gamboa and two other council members filed a lawsuit against the city, arguing that the city charter required the election to be held. Judge Johnson ruled in favor of Gamboa, ordering the election.

“We have places one, three, and five that need to be filled, with one seat vacant for five years, another appointed, and the third resigned,” said Mayor Gamboa. “According to the law, these positions must be filled in the next general election.”

Council Members’ Response

Place three Alderman Javier Morales, who was named in the lawsuit, expressed his thoughts on the legal matter, stating that while he could have chosen to appeal, he opted not to in order to move forward with the election. “This entire suit could have been avoided,” said Morales, though he added that there are contradictions in the lawsuit.

Candidates and Election Process

Raul Martinez, who ran against Gamboa in a previous election for alderman place five, has chosen not to run again. The application period for interested candidates is now open to Progreso residents, with the deadline to submit applications set for Friday at 4 p.m. During today’s meeting, three candidates, including current place one Alderman Raul Flores, submitted their applications.

A ballot drawing is scheduled to take place on the same day.

For more information on the upcoming special election and candidate registration, visit the City of Progreso website.