No candidate won a majority in Tuesday's Laredo College Board of Trustees Position 9 election, so the race will go to a citywide runoff. Incumbent Tita Vela, who has served on the board for 12 years, received about 42% of the vote. Dr. Eduardo Lopez received about 34%. Three candidates were on the ballot.
Vela said this is her first runoff and pointed to the college's ongoing expansion, including programs in trucking and nursing. Lopez, an educator with more than 24 years of experience who works for the Laredo Independent School District, said his background in school finance would help him on the board. Dr. Minita Ramirez, president of Laredo College, said state law requires community colleges to hold runoffs rather than award seats by plurality.
College officials estimated the runoff will cost the college between $88,000 and $90,000. The college will share costs with the City of Laredo, which is also holding a runoff on the same day. Early voting runs from Nov. 30 through Dec. 5, and the runoff election is set for Saturday, Dec. 12.