With the second election scheduled for the LISD Board of Trustees, District 1 seat, both candidates made their final efforts to get in the favor of voters.
During the initial election, incumbent Mario Ybarra, and candidate Lala Chavez each received 747 votes. After a recount, those totals were confirmed by the Lubbock County Office of Elections.
Ybarra said the campaigning in this second election were overwhelmingly positive.
“I’ve talked to a lot of folks and they’ve been positive and supportive,” he said.
“I want the folks of Lubbock, the voters, to realize I’m not ding it for the money. of course we don’t get paid. But it’s from my heart to make sure that our future, our children, get the best,” Ybarra said.
“We’ve had a wonderful response from folks and they’ve actually come to us asking ‘What can we do? How can we help?’ They’ve wanted to donate money and so-forth. I said no money, just come and help us, talk to people, go door to door,” said Chavez, as she campaigned outside an Amigos supermarket.
“So far I think we have accomplished getting a lot of folks,” she explained.
Chavez said the citizens of District 1 are ready for change.
“I don’t think it’s a fight honestly. I think it’s a change. We dire need this change in this district because we don’t have a voice. We really don’t have a voice,” Chavez said. “I’m involved in PTA, I’m still involved with the teachers and the students and the families. they currently come to me instead of going to Mario.”
“I don’t understand why she thinks that I’m tired or that the baton should be passed on. I’m the incumbent, she needs to earn it. If the voters want me to step down, they’ll make that decision,” Ybarra replied.
” As far as what she says, you know, if that’s what she wants to say, let her say what she wants to say. I’m not one about slinging mud, I’m not one of making someone look- they make themselves look bad. My focus is on the kids, every child, every day,” he said.
“I don’t have to badmouth anybody to get where I’m getting. I’m getting there because the voters will make that decision,” Chavez said.
Early voting ended Friday. The second election will take place June 7.