Mayor Ochoa to move Edinburg forward

Newly appointed City of Edinburg Mayor Omar Ochoa promised economic growth and improved infrastructure during tonight’s swearing-in ceremony held in the Arts, Culture, and Events Center in Edinburg.

Ochoa said flooding in the city can be faced by forging new levels of regional collaboration and ensuring that devastating impacts of storms are mitigated.

“We must confront our vulnerability to flooding, which I realize is a critical challenge,” he said.

Mayor Ochoa was formerly City Attorney of Edinburg from 2018 to 2024 and is also founding attorney of the Omar Ochoa Law Firm. 

Members of UTRGV College Democrats were present to show support for Ochoa’s win. 

Allison Dominguez, chief of staff of College Democrats, also agrees that prioritizing floods in Edinburg is important.

“I would want [Ochoa] to prioritize safer roads and roads that don’t have a bunch of potholes,” she said. “As well as the flooding that happens that genuinely impacts low income communities in Edinburg.”

Alongside Mayor Ochoa, councilmember place 1 Daniel ‘Dan’ Diaz was also sworn in for his second term in office. 

“I want to thank everyone that is part of this journey that gives us the opportunity to serve in these capacities,” Diaz said. 

Former Edinburg Mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. was in attendance to support Ochoa, whom he endorsed.

“I’ve known him as a man of integrity,” Garza said. “He’s going to do what’s right and he is very respectful toward others.”

Garza was elected mayor of Edinburg in 2021 and announced earlier this year that he would not seek reelection. 

Also in attendance was former Edinburg Mayor Joel Ochoa, who is Omar Ochoa’s father. He served two terms as mayor, one from 1993 to 2003, and then once more from 2006 to 2009.

“Not in my wildest dreams did I think 32 years later, after I was elected to be your mayor in 1993, that I would have the honor of calling my son mayor,” Ochoa’s father said.

Mayor Ochoa said he is chomping at the bit to roll up his sleeves and tackle the community’s issues.

“We must swing for the fences in economic growth, working tirelessly to recruit businesses with high paying jobs and technology, health care, and advanced trades.” he said.

Ochoa said he cannot thank the city of Edinburg enough for the opportunity to be elected mayor and promises to work every day to make the community proud.

“You want your family to be happy. You want your neighborhood to be peaceful. You want your community to thrive,” he said. “As your mayor, I pledge to work tirelessly so that everybody has the opportunity to reach those dreams together.”