PRESS Staff Report
BROWNSVILLE, TX—Brownsville attorney Jonathan Gracia has declared his candidacy for Texas House District 37. Gracia outlined his platform with a career spanning two decades in public service, emphasizing a focus on supporting public schools and teachers and enhancing opportunities for children to achieve their goals.
In his campaign announcement, Gracia succinctly stated his primary objectives: “Keep it simple; I want to fight to lower your utilities and improve our cities — it’s all about infrastructure and better-paying jobs.”
A lifelong resident of the Rio Grande Valley, Gracia’s professional journey includes serving as a prosecutor for the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office and holding the position of Economic Development Corporation Director for the City of Port Isabel in 2000. His early commitment to public service began in the Laguna Madre area, he explained.
Establishing The Gracia Law Firm in 2012, he brings over 15 years of legal experience, expressing pride not only in assisting clients but also in fostering the careers of his employees.
According to his biography, Gracia has a history of public service, having previously served two terms as a Justice of the Peace in eastern Cameron County.
Married to Lesli Robinson, a middle school counselor, and a father to a three-year-old, Gracia is dedicated to being a positive influence for his family and a devoted public servant for the community, he said.
In his announcement, Gracia emphasized his commitment to a legacy of compassion, integrity, and progress for the younger generation. Distinctive in his approach, he prefers to be seen as a public servant rather than a politician, evidenced by his visits to over 3,900 homes in District 37, he said. Gracia aims to introduce himself, understand the community’s concerns, and address their needs through these interactions, he added in a statement.
Gracia, who’s running as a Democrat, is facing a Democratic field which includes fellow attorney and current San Benito Commissioner Carol Lynn Sanchez, former District 37 Representative Alex Dominguez and former Brownsville ISD Board Trustee Ruben Cortez.
The winner of the March 5, 2024 Democratic Primary will face Republican Incumbent Janie Lopez, of San Benito, in the November 2024 General Election. Lopez is unchallenged in the Republican Primary.
Texas House District 37 encompasses all of Willacy County, including the cities of Raymondville, Lyford, and San Perlita.
The District also comprises much of Cameron County, including the cities of Bayview, Combes, Harlingen, Indian Lake, Laguna Vista, Los Fresnos, Palm Valley, Port Isabel, Primera, Rancho Viejo, Rangerville, Rio Hondo, South Padre Island and parts of Brownsville, La Feria, and San Benito.
Early voting commences on February 20, 2024, at various polling locations, and runs through March 1, 2024.
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