Political rookies, ‘oh, man!’ moments, and the calls for a runoff endorsement: Former Laredo mayoral candidates reflect on campaign trail

LAREDO, Tex. (KGNS) - In the end, there could only be two.

Five candidates set out with the same goal: to lead Laredo. But for three of them, that goal would come to an end. While the first round narrowed the field, a runoff will decide its final stretch.

The road to City Hall: A look back at Laredo’s mayoral race

The city’s top job would draw a competitive field, including current city representatives, former city officials, and leaders from Laredo’s most prominent industry.

To help voters decide who should lead the city, candidate forums would offer a chance to hear their positions, campaigns would make their pitch, and the race would attract attention every step of the way.

And then, Laredoans headed to the polls.

Nearly 55,000 voters would cast a ballot for mayor, hoping to have a say in who would lead Laredo into its next chapter.

Election results set up runoff between incumbent mayor and District 8 councilmember

On election night, not everyone would make it to the next round.

Leading the results, District 8 Councilmember Alyssa Cigarroa finished with just under 20,000 votes, good for 35% of the vote.

Right behind her was incumbent Mayor Dr. Victor Trevino, who received just under 18,000 votes, or about 32%.

Customs broker J.D. Gonzalez followed with just over 10,000 votes, while former Councilmember Poncho Casso received double-digit support with 10% of the vote share.

A fifth candidate, Jorge Garza, received 1,600 votes.

Panel Discussion

Former Laredo mayoral candidates JD Gonzalez and Poncho Casso join the panel to look back on this year’s race and campaign. For one, they look back on the learning curve as a ‘political rookie’, what they learned from Laredoans on the campaign trail, and how he hoped to put his international trade experience to work for the city.

For another, they reflect on why they weren’t surprised by the results based on historical precedent, where he saw a glimmer of hope, and what he believes the race was really about, while also reflecting on his focus on ‘the brain drain’ and his self-described role as a ‘truth serum’.

Finally, both candidates weigh in on whether they got their messages across, and, of course, whether they’ll throw their support behind either candidate in the runoff.

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