Early voting underway for Texas primary runoff election

Democratic runoff candidates for Nueces County Commissioner Precinct 2 are sharing their priorities for voters.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Early voting is underway across Texas for the primary runoff election, with several high-profile statewide races on the ballot and local voters deciding who could become the next Nueces County Commissioner for Precinct 2.

Candidate Isabel Noyola-Martin said she hopes to bring a new perspective to county leadership.

“My hat’s off to the voters,” Noyola-Martin said.

Noyola-Martin, a former Nueces County adult probation officer, said public safety is one of her top priorities if elected.

“I am a former Nueces County adult probation officer. Public safety is at the top of my priorities,” Noyola-Martin said. “I can be a voice for not only the community but also the employees of Nueces County that deserve to be paid well.”

She also pointed to healthcare and infrastructure improvements, particularly in rural communities, as key issues in her campaign.

“Part of the rural areas of Bishop and Petronilla, and those areas are always in dire need of programs and projects that will improve their quality of life, and I plan to do that,” Noyola-Martin said.

Meanwhile, incumbent Joe A. Gonzalez is seeking re-election to continue serving Precinct 2.

“I don’t call myself a politician. I call myself a public servant,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez said he has served his community in many different ways.

“Police officer, the federal probation and parole, Department of Justice, and as a judge and as a Commissioner,” Gonzalez said.

The incumbent commissioner said improving quality of life in underserved communities remains a major focus of his work.

“How can I help the people? It’s not so much about buildings, it’s not so much about infrastructure, it’s about the people, health and safety,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez also highlighted drainage and infrastructure projects in rural areas, saying many are already being funded through grants.

“Without those projects they’re gonna continue to fight the water coming into the homes and all that. So we need to finish these projects,” Gonzalez said.

The runoff election also includes larger statewide races for the Democratic candidates for Lieutenant Governor and the Republican candidates for U.S. Senate.

Political analyst Dr. Bill Chriss said turnout in runoff elections can play a major role in determining outcomes.

“Obviously a very consequential race. Whoever wins that runoff will face James Tallarico in the general election in what looks like it’s going to be a very close race,” Chriss said.

Dr. Chriss said runoff elections often favor highly motivated voters.

“Whoever’s the most right-wing Republican or the most left-wing Democrat is going to have the edge, and that’s because only the highest motivated voters actually turn out for these runoffs,” Chriss said.

Early voting is from May 18 until May 22, and the primary runoff election will be on May 26.