Harlingen native joins District 37 race

Harlingen native Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa Jr. has joined the Democratic race for Texas State Representative District 37.

Texas House District 37 represents all of Willacy County and a majority of Cameron County.

Ochoa, who has 17 years of experience in public education as a teacher, coach, assistant principal and principal, currently serves as Director of Special Education for a local education agency.

“I’m running to provide strong, local representation for families and promote unity across the RGV,” Ochoa said in a press release. “Our community deserves a representative who will prioritize education, public safety, veterans, women’s rights, and economic growth,  someone who listens, serves, and stands up for South Texas families.”

Ochoa is a graduate of Harlingen High School South, earned a B.S. in Kinesiology from UTPA in 2008, and a Master's in Educational Leadership from Lamar University in 2011. He recently completed the superintendent program at UTRGV in 2024.

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Ochoa, a Catholic and member of the Knights of Columbus, has two children with his wife, Myra Reyna Ochoa.

Ochoa joins the race alongside another Harlingen resident, Esmeralda Cantu-Castle.

The District 37 seat is currently held by two-term Republican Janie Lopez of San Benito.