Eagle Pass Mayoral Debate Held April 2nd
By: Victoria Martinez, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2025
Eagle Pass Mayoral candidates Jesus Casas, CPA and Aaron Valdez participated on Wednesday, April 2, 2025 in a spirited public debate at the West Room of the International Center for Trade in Eagle Pass, Texas, concerning their policy and political leadership viewpoints concerning the most salient issues facing the City of Eagle Pass and its residents in the scheduled May 3, 2025 City Council Election. Candidate Monica J. Cruz did not attend the debate due to being hospitalized.
Casas and Valdez presented their campaign platform and leadership philosophies on display for the voters of Eagle Pass to evaluate in a lively public forum discussion of key issues happening in the City of Eagle Pass and their impact on the annual fiscal budget, present and future projects, economic development, growth, infrastructure, employees, ad valorem taxes, and improvement of City policies.
Casas and Valdez tackled such poignant issues as why they are seeking to become Mayor of Eagle Pass, the top three matters facing the City of Eagle Pass, the City’s need to develop a second potable water source for future growth and economic development, the impact of the Puerto Verde Global Trade Bridge for commercial freight vehicles and the Green Eagle Railroad and Line on the community, the impact of the newly proposed legislation to establish a Puerto Verde Port Authority District in the community, how to handle potential conflict of interest questions within the City, how to improve open and transparent public government at City Hall, how to genuinely represent the best interest of citizens on City projects, the timely hiring of City professionals and Department Directors, requesting Governor Greg Abbott for the return of Shelby Park to the citizens of Eagle Pass and compensation for the State of Texas use of the public park, compliance issues with tax abatement recipients, approval of ad valorem taxes discount to taxpayers who timely pay them in October of each year, how to support local small businesses grow in the community, current freeze on City projects during fiscal year 2024-2025, construction of the proposed City Public Works headquarters, completion of the City Employees Salary Study, and other issues.
Both Casas and Valdez enjoyed outstanding performances at the April 2nd Mayoral Debate, receiving a standing ovation from the audience for their genuine interest and participation in the public forum debate before their peers and fellow voters.
Moderator of the Mayoral Debate was Eagle Pass Business Journal Publisher Ricardo E. Calderon.
The April 2nd Mayoral Debate was a non-partisan public forum to enable the voters of Eagle Pass to meet and learn about the candidates and assist them in making an informed and educated decision about their vote before Early Voting commences on Tuesday, April 22 through April 29, 2025 and the scheduled Regular Election Day on Saturday, May 2, 2025 at the City of Eagle Pass Cruz Antonio Munoz Gymnasium, 2086 Roosevelt Street, Eagle Pass, Texas. Another purpose of the Mayoral Debate was to allow the candidates an opportunity to communicate their political platform and political philosophies to City voters.
The public non-partisan Mayoral Debate was hosted by the Eagle Pass Business Journal, Eagle Pass Border Coalition, Eagle Pass Digital Arts Society, and the Elm Creek Park Committee.
