McALLEN –  Richard F. Cortez and Debbie Crane Aliseda won enough votes on Saturday to force a runoff in the District 1 special election held to fill late Commissioner Scott  C. Crane’s seat.

Javier Villalobos, Richard F. Cortez, Eduardo Hinojosa and Debbie Crane Aliseda vied for the District 1 place left vacant by Crane who passed away in December.

The numbers for each candidate are as follows:

                                             Totals           Percentage                   

Villalobos                            474                     24%

*Cortez                                829                    41%

 Hinojosa                               52                        3%

*Crane Aliseda                  628                     31%

TOTAL BALLOTS CAST:  2,004                99% (including the undervote)

18 provisional ballots                                 1%

*runoff

The totals are lacking 1% due to 18 provisional ballots which will be unknown until they are canvassed.

A total of 1,477 residents cast their ballots during the early voting period and 525 ballots today.  Results are unofficial until they are canvassed on April 13, 2015.

The date of the runoff election is May 9, coinciding with the general election for District 5 and District 6.  April 27 –May 5 is the early voting period.

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