Cameron County elects Manuel Trevino as Democratic candidate for sheriff

CAMERON COUNTY, Texas (ValleyCentral) – Cameron County has elected Manuel Trevino as the Democratic candidate in the runoff election for sheriff, according to unofficial results.

Outgoing President Eric Garza conceded early with an announcement on X, formerly known as Twitter.

“Congratulations, Leader Manuel Trevino, on your victory in the Democratic primary runoff! Your leadership and dedication shine brightly, and I am excited to see the positive impact you will have in the future. Best wishes for continued success,” Garza wrote

Garza served as Cameron County sheriff for four years.

According to all precinct reports, challenger Manuel Trevino won with 5,415 votes to Garza's 4,395. Trevino led with 55% of the vote.

Trevino will now face his Republican challenger Jimmy Manrique in the November general election.

Trevino was last with the Cameron County Sheriff's Office in 2005, when he was a lieutenant.

He is a native of Brownsville and said his experience and service to the community as police chief of the city of Primera, Texas, from 2010 to present, prepared him for this position.

Trevino also served as a criminal investigator for the Cameron County Prosecutor's Office from 2007 to 2010. During his time there, he was an undercover criminal investigator assigned to the Special Investigative Unit conducting operations and preparing cases for federal and state prosecutions.

From 2006 to 2007, he served as a criminal and narcotics investigator for Cameron County Precinct 2.

“My priorities are simple: 1. Make sure employees know they are the foundation of the office, 2. Reduce crime in the county, 3. Work with school districts to plan for emergency responses, 4. Maintain an open line of communication with other law enforcement agencies, 5. Restore housing to federal inmates to reduce taxpayer burden, and 6. Effectively manage office resources by working with the Criminal Court county commissioners to manage and balance an annual budget,” Trevino said.