4 candidates file for mayor of Palmhurst, special election scheduled for August

The city of Palmhurst will pick a new mayor in August.

Four candidates filed ballot applications by the 5 p.m. Thursday deadline:

> Former City Councilman Israel Silva, 51, the owner of Texas Health Care Imaging.

> Former Sharyland school board Trustee Eduardo “Eddie” Montalvo, 57, a business analyst with UnitedHealth Group.

> Attorney Ricka Tijerina, 27, who graduated from the University of Houston and works for Hinojosa Law.

> Businessman Fred del Barrio, 56, who owns 12 McDonald’s restaurants and serves on the Palmhurst Planning and Zoning Commission.

The City Council called the special election to replace Mayor Ramiro J. Rodriguez Jr., who died in April while running for re-election.

Rodriguez, who died on April 5, couldn’t be removed from the ballot, which had already been finalized.

Many of his supporters encouraged Palmhurst residents to vote for Rodriguez anyway — partly to honor the longtime mayor and partly to force a special election.

Rodriguez posthumously won about 58% of 567 votes cast in the mayoral race, according to results published by the Hidalgo County Elections Department. Silva, who ran against Rodriguez, won nearly 42%.

The City Council canvassed the results, declared a vacancy and scheduled the special election for August.

Early voting starts on July 25 and ends Aug. 5. Election day is Aug. 10.