By JACQI LEYVA-HILL
Special to the PRESS
With two Laguna Vista races separated by razor-thin margins, Cameron County Elections Administrator Remi Garza confirmed Wednesday that recount proceedings will begin Thursday, May 14, at 10 a.m. in the exhibit room of the historic Cameron County Courthouse in Brownsville.
According to Garza, the recount will begin with the mayor’s race before moving to the Place 3 Town Council race.
Garza said attendance at the recount will be limited to the recount committee, the candidates and officially appointed poll watchers.
Garza also clarified that the City of Laguna Vista is overseeing the recount process while the Cameron County Elections Department is assisting.
“Essentially, the city is overseeing it. We’re just here to assist,” Garza said.
The recount follows the official canvass of the May 2 election results during the May 12 Laguna Vista Town Council meeting.
According to official returns from the Cameron County Elections Department, incumbent Mayor Michael “Mike” Carter was reelected following the May 2, 2026 municipal election, narrowly edging challenger Darla A. Jones by 37 votes in one of the closest local races in the Laguna Madre area.
Carter received 689 votes to Jones’ 652.
“I will be filing a Petition for a recount of the votes in the Mayor Election held May 2, 2026 in the Town of Laguna Vista,” Jones previously told the Press in a written statement.
Natalie Ruiz, who ran for the Place 3 seat on the Laguna Vista Town Council, also confirmed she planned to request a recount in her race after official results showed Norma Parker winning 712 votes to 605.
The close mayoral result made the election especially closely watched in Laguna Vista following a contentious campaign season and strong voter turnout. Garza previously told the PRESS that election officials anticipated heavier than usual turnout in Laguna Vista and added staffing at the polling location in preparation.
Garza said a ballot scanner issue during early voting was resolved within about an hour and that all ballots remained secure and were properly processed.
When contacted by the PRESS, Carter declined to comment regarding the recount effort or allegations circulating on social media related to harassment and bribery claims during the election season.
In the Town Council races, Place 3 winner Norma Parker responded to the PRESS in writing but said she does not plan to participate in future coverage with the publication.
“My campaign was centered on making Laguna Vista a nicer, more respectful community,” Parker wrote. “Given the atmosphere of coverage from the Port Isabel-South Padre Press during this election cycle, including attention on personal matters involving individuals who were not candidates, I have chosen not to participate with the publication going forward.”
Parker added that she plans to communicate directly with residents and focus on “helping restore a more constructive and respectful tone to community discussions.”
Place 1 challenger Frank Galvan defeated incumbent Dr. Chris Romero, 827 to 445.
Following his swearing-in during the May 12 Laguna Vista Town Council meeting, Galvan thanked supporters and former officeholders while expressing optimism about serving the community.
“I want to thank Dr. Romero for his time on the board and wish him well,” Galvan said in a statement to the Press. “I look forward to serving our community. If you have any concerns or suggestions please let me know.”
Galvan also thanked Judge Charles “Chuck” Vieh of Harlingen Precinct 5 for administering the oath of office and welcomed Ava Khajeh as Laguna Vista’s new library clerk.
In Place 2, incumbent Johvonne Howard secured a fourth term over challenger Glori Love, 783 to 498.
“With a fourth term comes higher expectations—and I embrace that,” Howard said. “This isn’t my first rodeo. It’s Year 10… and I’m just getting started.”
Howard said her priorities include transparency in city operations, drainage and sewage improvements, park maintenance and accountability across departments.
The PRESS will continue monitoring the recount proceedings and any updated election totals following Thursday’s recount.
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