Hidalgo County DA Election

The runoff between Hidalgo County District Attorney Rene Guerra, an incumbent holding more baggage than the carousel at McAllen Miller International Airport, and challenger Alma Garza, a cadidate with enough issues of her own to fill the newsstand at the terminal, concludes today.

Some in Hidalgo County trot out the cliche, "Better the devil you know," as a reason to vote for Guerra. But after 24 years, maybe it's time for a new tormentor.

The Monitor reports some 10,000 voters cast ballots during the early voting period, while Hidalgo County Elections Administrator Teresa Navarro expects another 8-10K to show up at the polls today.

The McAllen newspaper also chimes in with an editorial on "Election Day Mud Slinging" with way too understated a conclusion:

Democracy in Hidalgo County has been noted for its occasional bad odor in the past, and the recent indictments of local politiqueras for alleged past misdeeds have done nothing to freshen the smell. But the actions of [County Sheriff Lupe] Treviño and Navarro are a hopeful sign that dirty tricks will not be tolerated this Election Day.

Politics in South Texas doesn't have an "occasional bad odor;" it stinks to high heaven. And we need more than just a sign that dirty tricks won't be tolerated. We need action. But that's not likely to come from within the county.