By RAUL GARCIA JR

The Mercedes Enterprise

As the Primary Election draws closer and closer, Democrat and Republican candidates are taking the opportunity to talk politics with Mercedes voters at El Fenix Cafe.

Over the years, it’s been a stop for candidates seeking voter support. During election cycles the longest running restaurant in town has always been a meeting place for voters to connect with the candidates seeking their support

And this week the tradition continued as  Hidalgo County Judge Candidate Norma Ramirez, a Democrat and Ysmael Fonseca, a Republican candidate for the 13th Court of Appeals Judge seat are two of the most recent candidates to stop and talk politics with Mercedes Voters before Election Day. 

Each spoke about their experience for the position and answered question from the voters.

Candidate Norma Ramirez said she wants to stop the countywide flooding issue and lower homeowner property taxes and create jobs in the county.

“The only way we can do that is by bringing in new investments, and the only way that’s possible is to make sure we lower property taxes,” Ramirez said. 

Early voting ends Friday

Early voting for the March 1 primary ends Friday. Initial reports indicate turnout has been low, as is traditional in midterm primary elections, with less than a fourth of registered voters going to the polls most years.

Voters will pick nominees for Texas’ governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, land commissioner, agriculture commissioner, comptroller and railroad commissioner, as well as legislative and county races.

Texas Secretary of State John. B. Scott’s office provides a website that allows voters to see who is on the ballots in all races at votetexas.gov. Texas law allows registered voters to participate in either party primary, but not both. In addition, a voter in the Republican primary cannot participate in any runoffs in Democratic races, and vice-versa. However, in the November general election, voters are free to choose candidates from both parties.