Photo Credit: Abel Garza, Jr. Facebook

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TEXAS CITY – Voters will soon head to the polls to decide their next mayor, with multiple candidates expected to appear on the ballot, including incumbent Mayor Dedrick Johnson and longtime resident Abel Garza Jr.

Garza, who has lived in Texas City his entire life, brings decades of public service and professional experience to the race. He attended local public schools, raised his children in the community, and spent much of his career working in higher education. Garza worked for 25 years at the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, followed by 12 years at the University of Houston before retiring. He later returned to work in private industry before retiring again.

In addition to his professional background, Garza has been involved in various city committees and advisory roles over the years. He served on the Board of Adjustments for 17 years and has been a member of the Bayou Golf Course Advisory Board for more than two decades. He also represents Texas City on the Galveston County Animal Resource Center board. His earlier involvement includes participation in long-term planning efforts such as Vision 2020 and Community Matters 2030.

Garza said his decision to run for mayor stems from both his experience in city government and feedback he has received from residents. He previously served as District 2 commissioner before being elected as commissioner at-large, a role he currently holds.

According to Garza, one of his primary motivations for entering the mayoral race is a desire to increase public involvement in major city decisions. He said some residents have expressed concerns about how certain financial decisions and development proposals have been handled, and believes the public should have more opportunities to provide input.

If elected, Garza said his priorities would include strengthening public safety, reviewing the city charter, expanding economic development efforts, and improving financial oversight.

Garza noted that the Texas City Police Department is currently understaffed and said he would seek to better understand the reasons behind officer shortages and work toward potential solutions. He also expressed support for conducting a review of the city charter, which governs how the city operates, to ensure it reflects current needs and growth.

On economic development, Garza said he would like to see more structured input from committees and residents when evaluating potential projects and businesses considering moving into the city.

He also emphasized the importance of financial transparency, including timely audits and budget management, as part of maintaining public trust.

Garza described his leadership style as transparent and consistent, emphasizing fairness and open communication with residents.

He has received endorsements from multiple law enforcement associations, including the Texas City Municipal Police Association, the Galveston Police Association, and the La Marque Police Association.

Early voting for the election is scheduled to run April 20–24 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and April 27–28 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Election Day is set for May 2, with polls open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.