quote:
The race between Guerra and Rodriguez, whose family — the powerful Palacios clan of Edinburg — supported Guerra for decades, turned bitter. Some supporters blamed political machinations for the DA’s downfall.
“I think it was rather dirty politics playing against him,” said Jimmy Gomez, a 67-year-old retired Air Force veteran from Edinburg. “He’s always treated me fair and my family fair.”
The often verbose district attorney was concise when asked Monday if his relationship with the Palacios family would heal:
“No,” he said. “Never.”
And when Rodriguez begins the job in January, some workers in the DA’s office will help him transition, Guerra said — but not him.
“No, because he says he already has the knowledge so he won’t need any mentoring,” Guerra said Monday.
Rodriguez was quick to try to bury the hatchet once it was clear he’d won.
“I would like to thank Mr. Guerra for the service that he’s given to the County of Hidalgo for 32 years,” he said.
But Guerra said he had no plans to reach out to his opponent.
“I don’t think I can honor him by giving him a call,” he said.
