Roma mayor endorses Rose Benavidez for county judge

RIO GRANDE CITY, Texas – Roma Mayor Jaime Escobar, Jr., has endorsed economic development specialist Rose Benavidez to be the next county judge for Starr County. 

Benavidez, a trustee of South Texas College and president of Starr County Industrial Foundation, launched her campaign at a packed Julabe Reception Hall in Rio Grande City on June 19, 2025. 

The current, long-serving county judge, Eloy Vera, has announced he is not running for re-election in 2026. 

Escobar introduced Benavidez at the campaign kickoff event. 

“I’ve seen her in action, calm under pressure, focused on solutions, always fighting for Starr County,” Escobar said of Benavidez. “She shows up, she listens, and, most importantly, she delivers.”

In her role as president of SCIF, Benavidez has brought thousands of jobs to the region, Escobar said. And in her role as a board trustee at STC, she has been a champion of education, the mayor said.

Here is a video recording of Mayor Escobar’s remarks:

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