Ochoa: I have zero tolerance for corruption

As Mayor, I will not just manage the city; I will defend it from the greed that undermines our future. The era of backroom deals and self-serving politics will end.”

Omar Ochoa

The recent guilty plea from a former Edinburg City Council member isn’t just news—it's a betrayal of the public trust. 

Corruption is a cancer, and when it infects our leadership, it robs every citizen of the honest government they deserve. Public service is a duty, not a path to personal enrichment.

Let me be crystal clear: I have zero tolerance for corruption.

My campaign is a promise to ensure integrity and transparency in City Hall. As Mayor, I will not just manage the city; I will defend it from the greed that undermines our future. The era of backroom deals and self-serving politics will end.

My administration will take immediate and decisive action:

• End Sweetheart Deals: We will improve the city’s contracting system to include a public scorecard to ensure contracts are awarded based on merit, not connections. Every dollar will be accounted for, in the open, for all to see.
• Mandatory Ethics Training: We will implement a rigorous, ongoing ethics training program for all elected officials and city leadership. This isn't a suggestion; it's a requirement. We will ensure everyone who serves this city understands their ethical and legal obligations to the letter.
• Protect and Empower Whistleblowers: We will create an ironclad, confidential process for city employees to report unethical behavior without any fear of retaliation. We will stand with those who have the courage to speak up."

Edinburg residents deserve a government that works for them, not for special interests. They deserve leadership they can trust. I am ready to lead with integrity, maintain that trust, and build a city we can all be proud of.

I encourage all Edinburg leaders and candidates to stand strongly with me against corruption.

Editor’s Note: The above commentary was provided by former Edinburg City Attorney Omar Ochoa, a candidate for mayor Edinburg. The former city council member he is referring to in the commentary is Jorge “Coach” Salinas. Click here to read a press release from the Department of Justice about Salinas’ plea.