Ricardo Ramos Announces Candidacy for 293rd District Court Judge
Ricardo Ramos has authorized the Eagle Pass Business Journal to announce his candidacy for the 293rd Judicial District Court Judgeship.
This statement officially announces my candidacy for the 293rd District Judge’s position in the upcoming election. This statement also delineates my qualifications as a candidate. It is my intent to provide background information so that the voters of Dimmit, Maverick, & Zavala Counties can make an informed decision when they vote.
I was born and raised in Eagle Pass, Maverick County, Texas. My parents are the late Andres “Andy” Ramos (†) and Reyes Lopez Ramos. My parents owned and operated a gas station / convenience store named Andy’s Kwik Stop located at the entrance of Las Quintas Fronterizas off El Indio Highway. They were in business for 34 years. Hard work, commitment, and dedication and the grace of God allowed them to operate the business.
I am married to my beautiful and wonderful wife Olga Martinez-Ramos. We got married on January 3, 1987 at Sacred Heart Church. She is the daughter of the late Baldemar G. Martinez (†) and Olga Tamez Martinez of Eagle Pass, TX. My wife grew up in Zaragoza, Coahuila before moving to Eagle Pass. We have been married for 31 years and have four wonderful children—Ricardo Jr. (practicing attorney), Ruben Daniel (Texas Tech Graduate), and David Baldemar (Freshman at Sul Ross University), and Olga Janel (Eagle Pass Jr. High).
I grew up in a Spanish speaking family. However, I gradually assimilated and became fluent in English while maintaining my native tongue. My wife and children are also bilingual. We celebrate customs and traditions inherited from our parents and grandparents who lived in two countries. My family and I have learned the true meaning of sacrificing today for a better tomorrow.
I attended San Luis Elementary as a child. I was raised in San Luis neighborhood. I am the sixth of nine children in my family. My parents both worked to make ends meet. My father worked downtown at S.H. Kress for over 23 years and my mother worked at the jean factory known as Blue Bell / Salant Corporation. My parents did not graduate from high school. However, they taught us to work hard and get an education.
I am a graduate of Eagle Pass High School—Class of 1980. I followed my parents’ advice and have earned several degrees. In 1988, I earned an Associate of Science degree from Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, Tennessee. I also graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) with a Bachelor of Arts degree in December 1990. In May 1991, I earned a Texas Teacher Certificate in Bilingual Education with an Endorsement in English as a Second Language. The same year, I completed the Army ROTC program at UTSA and received a commission in the U.S. Army as a Second Lieutenant and volunteered to serve on active duty. In May 1995, I graduated from the University of Oklahoma with a Master Degree in Public Administration. In September 2000, I graduated with honors from Thomas Cooley Law School in Lansing, Michigan and received a Juris Doctorate Degree (Cum Laude). I am presently licensed by the Texas Supreme Court and also licensed in Federal Court by the United States Western District of Texas, Del Rio Division and the Fifth Circuit Federal Court of Appeals in Louisiana. I served as Maverick County Attorney (prosecutor) for over 13 years (Jan. 2005 – Jan 2018).
I enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1984 and served my country for over 20 years. My military career has enabled me to learn good leadership skills. Leadership is the epitome of the military profession–leadership coupled with responsibility is what we exercise on a daily basis. Being entrusted with America’s most precious asset–the lives of our service members is a tremendous responsibility, which I took seriously.
I started my military career in August 1984 by enlisting in the Texas Army National Guard (TXARNG) as an infantryman assigned to Co. C, 1-141 Mechanized Infantry Battalion in Eagle Pass, TX. Two years later, I served on active duty as an administrative specialist assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, KY from July 1986 to April 1988. From May 1988 to June 1991, I served in the Army Reserve Intelligence School at Camp Bullis, Texas. Upon my release from the Army Reserves, I served on active duty as a newly commissioned officer from June 1991 to September 1998. My first assignment as an Army Officer took my family and I overseas to the Republic of Panama. I was also stationed at the Intelligence Center at Fort Huachuca, Arizona and at Fort Hood, Texas with the 1st Cavalry Division. I retired in 2005 as an Army Major doing military intelligence work. While serving in the armed forces, I learned and acquired leadership skills and self-discipline.
My military education consists of being a graduate of the Basic Infantry Course at Fort Benning, GA in 1985; the Administrative School at Fort Jackson, SC in 1986; the Air Assault School at Fort Campbell, KY in 1987; the Military Intelligence Officer Basic Course at Fort Huachuca, AZ in 1991; the Strategic Debriefer Course at Fort Huachuca, AZ in 1991; the Airborne School (parachutist course) at Fort Benning, GA in 1992; the Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Course at Fort Amador, Panama in 1994; the Military Intelligence Officer Advance Course at Fort Huachuca, AZ in 1996; the Signals Intelligence Course (Electronic Warfare) at Fort Huachuca, AZ in 1996; and CAS3 at Fort Dix, NJ in 2000.
My military awards include: the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Medal, Humanitarian Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Meritorious Service Medal (2nd Award), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Superior Unit Award, Joint Superior Unit Award, Air Assault Badge, and the Parachute Badge.
As a Military Intelligence Officer I was entrusted with a Top Secret security clearance where honesty and integrity are paramount. The United States has entrusted the confidence and fidelity to give me direct access to highly classified information. Moreover, being a Military Intelligence Officer significantly contributed to the development of communication skills both written and oral. The skills and work ethic acquired during my military service will greatly assist to accomplish the rigorous duty of serving as your 293rd District Judge.
Community service has also been a way of life. I am a member of the Pro Bono College State Bar. I am presently the president of the Cursillo School of Directors. I am a member of the Adult Leader Group of the Eagle Pass–Maverick County 4-H Club and the Maverick County Jr. Livestock Show Association. I am also a member of the Tx A&M Agri Life Extension Leadership Advisory Board. I also participate in the ACTS movement and I currently teach catechism at St. Joseph Church. I am a member of the Knights of Columbus, Council 10711 and a member of the American Legion.
The reason I decided to run for 293rd District Judge is to make a difference. Our citizens deserve to be treated equally, fairly, and with respect. I promise to run an efficient and effective office that will expedite the cases and reduce docket delays through expedited scheduling and court ordered mediation. I will swiftly try career criminals who are violent, or who prey on our children. I will also expand the scope and availability of diversion programs especially for misdemeanor cases. Most importantly, I will administer equal justice and fairness to protect the rights of all litigants.
In closing, the opportunity to be elected as your 293rd District Judge will satisfy a lifetime goal of serving the community. If elected, I promise to bring honesty and integrity to the Office of the 293rd District Judge. Most importantly, I will expedite all cases and make the 293rd Judicial District a safer and better place to live. My objective is to be fair and equally administer justice to all our citizens. Finally, I ask for your vote and support—together we can do it.
Political Announcement Paid by the Candidate.
