Eddie Treviño, Jr. is an American politician in the state of Texas. Since November 2016, he has served as County Judge of Cameron County. Notwithstanding the label, the position of county judge is for the most part a nonjudicial position in Texas.[1] Previously, he served as Mayor of Brownsville, Texas from 2003 to 2007.
On January 7, 2003, Mayor of Brownsville Blanca Vela announced that she would not seek re-election for a second term in a speech in front of the Market Square fountain.[2][3] Her departure set off a competitive 2003 mayoral campaign between Treviño, then serving as city commissioner, and former Mayor Henry Gonzalez.[2] Treviño and Gonzalez placed first and second (out of four candidates) in the election held on May 3, 2003, which qualified them for the runoff.[4] In the runoff election held on June 7, 2003, Treviño won 4,377 votes (64.13%), defeating Gonzalez, who earned 2,448 votes (35.86%) to succeed Vela as mayor.[5]
In the November 2022 elections, Treviño defeated Republican challenger Carlos Cascos, who had previously served as Cameron County Judge from 2006 to 2015, when he resigned to become Texas Secretary of State.[6]
Treviño's term as county judge has coincided with the significant growth of SpaceX's presence in the county, and Treviño has played an active role in managing the county's relationship with SpaceX.[7]
On February 13, 2025, Treviño ordered an election to be held on May 3 on an incorporation petition submitted on behalf of SpaceX employees, requesting the incorporation of a new city of Starbase, Texas.[8] If approved by voters, it would be the first new city in Cameron County since the incorporation of Los Indios in 1995.[8]
Treviño has also been an outspoken defender of the Texas LNG project, located in the county.[9]
References
- ^ "What Does a County Judge Do in Texas?". Texas Association of Counties. Archived from the original on September 24, 2023. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ^ a b Booth, Brittany (January 18, 2003). "City Commission produces two mayoral candidates Election: Hernandez, Trevio to seek post". Brownsville Herald. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
- ^ Booth, Brittany (January 8, 2003). "Mayor wont seek re-election Wide open: Several officials consider running for citys highest office". Brownsville Herald. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
- ^ Booth, Brittany (June 1, 2003). "Gonzalez ready to regain mayors seat". Brownsville Herald. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
- ^ Booth, Brittany (June 8, 2003). "Trevio elected mayor". Brownsville Herald. Retrieved March 13, 2014.
- ^ Yañez, Alejandra (November 9, 2022). "Treviño beats Cascos for Cameron County judge". KVEO-TV. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ Taylor, Marisa (September 20, 2024). "The Boosters: Liftoff at Musk's SpaceX base was fueled by wheeling-dealing Texas politicians". Reuters. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ a b Runnels, Ayden (February 12, 2025). "County judge approves election to decide whether SpaceX launch site will become a city". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ Davila, Gaige (December 19, 2024). "Brownsville Elected Officials Are Doing PR for Embattled LNG Megaproject". The Texas Observer. Retrieved February 13, 2025.