Former Harlingen Commissioner Chino Sanchez dies

Basilio “Chino” Sanchez

HARLINGEN — Former City Commissioner Basilio “Chino” Sanchez, who was a candidate in next month’s District 4 runoff election, has died.

Sanchez, a folksy politico who served on the commission from 2012 to 2015, died at his home, friends said.

Sanchez’s death stunned City Hall.

“How sad and tragic,” Assistant City Manager Josh Ramirez said.

In the Nov. 5 election, Sanchez pulled 683 votes to enter into a Dec. 14 runoff against incumbent Commissioner Frank Morales, who won 1,071 votes, setting up a rematch of their hot 2021 race.

Now, Morales, a semi-retired former salesman running for a second term for the post he won in 2021, will face Beto Pena, an investigator with the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office, the race’s third-biggest vote-getter, Remi Garza, Cameron County’s elections administrator, said.

In the general election, Pena drew 566 votes, ahead of B.T. Vargas, a business owner, who took 378 votes.

Before entering politics, Sanchez, known for his flashy, chatty style, worked for decades at the Valley Morning Star as a newspaper production technician.

“He used to be our camera guy,” Cesar Castillo, a advertising salesman said. “He was a very sincere guy. He really cared about Harlingen.”

In a Facebook post, Harlingen Mayor Sepulveda said it’s with a heavy heart that she shared her condolences.

“I recently had the pleasure of getting to know him, and it was immediately clear how deeply he loved Harlingen. He will always be remembered for his warm smile and his dedication to our community,” Sepulveda said. “Today, we mourn together as we remember his legacy and the joy he brought to so many. My thoughts are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”

He was 77 years old.

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