MCALLEN, Texas - His colleagues in the state legislature have paid tribute to retiring State Rep. R.D. ‘Bobby’ Guerra.
The McAllen Democrat announced this week that he would not seek re-election to an eighth term in the House of Representatives.
“Bobby Guerra has been a great public servant. He always put the priorities of his district first. And he always worked with other legislators. He focused particularly on healthcare, infrastructure and education,” said state Sen. Juan Hinojosa, D-McAllen.
Hinojosa continued:
“Bobby was well respected in the House of Representatives. And we knew him well in the Senate because he was always someone we could go to whenever we needed a sponsor or help in the House of Representatives. He will be missed.”
Hinojosa said Guerra will be particularly remembered for helping pass the legislation that established the Tejano Monument on the grounds of the state Capitol.
“Bobby was very much instrumental in getting the Tejano Monument on the State Capitol. He knows the history. The Guerra family is very well known, not only in South Texas but throughout the state. So, he has great historical heritage. He made sure that it was part of our state’s history, pushing hard for the Tejano Monument, which anyone can now go and enjoy on the state Capitol grounds.”
Hinojosa added: “I wish Bobby well. I know he will be missed.”
State Rep. Sergio Muñoz, D-Mission, concurred with Hinojosa’s remarks.
“I had the opportunity to work with Bobby for many sessions, and, in fact, we sat close to each other on the House floor, and we would commute a lot for several sessions, back and forth from Austin,” Muñoz said. “I know his heart was always committed to those he represented. We wish him well in his retirement. We thank him for his service, not just to the Rio Grande Valley but the great state of Texas.”
State Rep. Ryan Guillen, R-Rio Grande City, also paid his respects.
“Bobby's a good friend. We’re not going to be able to see as each other as much as we used to, which is sad. But he's a very good man. He’s been good for his district, good for the Rio Grande Valley, good for Texas. And we're going to miss him,” Guillen said.
“He's obviously been a very successful lawyer. He's focused a lot on healthcare while he's been in the House, among other things. But he has always been a huge advocate for the Rio Grande Valley, and for McAllen and the region.”
Guillen said he thinks Guerra is going to end up with about 14 years of service. “Anytime you lose someone with that much experience, it is a blow."
Guillen added: “I really appreciate Bobby’s friendship. I really appreciate his contributions to his district, to the Rio Grande Valley and to Texas. There is no question that McAllen and the Rio Grande Valley are better off for his service.”
McAllen City Commissioner Victor ‘Seby’ Haddad announced he will run for Guerra’s seat - House District 41 - as soon as the veteran lawmaker announced he would not seek re-election.
“Bobby has been a trusted friend and a great leader for the Rio Grande Valley. He has been a great ally. It is bittersweet to see him go but he has a legacy. He is incredibly well-respected up in Austin, as he is back home by all sides,” Haddad said.
Asked about Guerra’s key role in securing the first ever statue to celebrate Hispanics on the state Capitol grounds - the Tejano Monument, Haddad said:
“We are proud of Bobby doing that because we are proud of our culture down here. I think sometimes are overlooked and sometimes disregarded, right? But we are a force to be reckoned with. We are an economic powerhouse we are a regional and cultural powerhouse and our contributions to the state are just as great as any of the large urban cities or the rural communities. We want to send that message to Austin, that resources and time and dedication should be spent down here.”
Here is state Rep. Bobby Guerra’s official biography:
Bobby Guerra comes from old South Texas ranching families who helped settle the Valley in the 1700’s.
R. D. “Bobby” Guerra was born in Edinburg, Texas in 1953. The Guerra family, both paternal and maternal, has been South Texas ranchers since the 1700’s. Bobby has been married to his beautiful wife Leslie-Yoder Guerra since 1979 and they have three children Justin, Cameron, and Tessa and a beloved grandchild, Olivia.
Here is the press release Guerra’s office issued announcing the retirement:
McALLEN, Texas - After thirteen years of representing Hidalgo County in the state legislature, promoting health care, agriculture, economic development and educational opportunities, Representative R.D. ‘Bobby’ Guerra (D-McAllen) announced today that he will not seek re-election to the Texas House of Representatives.
“I’m the son of a teacher, and former County Judge, and I couldn’t be more proud to have done my part to continue a legacy of service,” Guerra stated. “From the establishment of the Tejano Monument on the Capitol grounds, which honors the grit and strength of our forefathers, to funding a medical school which paves the way for the next generation of public servants, I believe now more than ever in the promise of Texas’ future.”
Guerra’s contributions, accomplished through hard work, collaboration, and perseverance, include:
● Promoting economic development: secured funding for UTGRV, our medical school, highway and infrastructure expansion, and more.
● Improving maternal health care: co-sponsored legislation to improve access to postpartum depression screening and raising the standard for neonatal and maternal care at hospitals.
● Standing up for public schools: secured pay raises for teachers and increased the standard of living for retired teachers, while opposing private school vouchers that diverts funds away from our public schools.
● Investing in public safety and flood control: helped pass the constitutional amendment that allocated $800 million towards a newly created Flood
Infrastructure Fund.
● Developing the Tejano Monument: championed the establishment of a 20-foot-long granite and bronze statue on the Texas Capitol grounds to honor the legacy of our state’s Spanish and Mexican pioneers and settlers. The statue features Guerra’s mothers’ family brand on one of the horses.
“I am forever grateful to my colleagues, from both sides of the aisle, my staff, and my family for their steadfast support. My deepest gratitude, however, goes to the people of HD 41 who have given me this honor to serve and represent them in the Texas legislature,” Guerra added.
“The work isn’t for the weary,” Guerra concluded. “Too many times the Texas legislature reminds me of an old Sam Rayburn quote, ‘any jackass can kick down a barn, but it takes a good carpenter to build one.’ Here’s hoping the carpenters will outnumber the jackasses and we live up to the promise of Texas for generations to come.”
State Rep. R.D. “Bobby” Guerra is a Democrat who has represented District 41 since 2012. He currently serves as the Vice-Chair of the Agriculture and Livestock committee and also serves as a seniority member of the Energy committee, Redistricting committee, and Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting. He represents the cities of McAllen, Mission, Edinburg, Palmhurst, Pharr and Lopezville.
Editor's Note: Rio Grande Guardian reporter Adrian Alfaro and Ron Whitlock Reports anchor Ron Whitlock contributed to this story from McAllen.
