With early voting underway and running through April 27, three city commissioners in Pharr are up for re-election. The trio make up the group “Pharr Forward.”

"We're here to serve, not to be served,” said Pharr Place 2 Commissioner and Mayor Pro-Tem Roberto "Bobby" Carrillo.

Carrillo said unity is what has kept the city progressing, something that's been a priority of his since he was first elected.

"That was one promise I made when I first ran in 2008: That I would unify the commission and we would not have fighting within the commission because I knew that would hurt development, “Carrillo said. “And you see it all the time in other cities. So, that was one promise I made and I think I kept it for the past 13 years."

Commissioner Daniel Chavez is running for re-election for Place 4. 

"We have invested a lot more money in south Pharr than has ever been invested since it got adopted," Chavez said.

With the city still growing, Chavez said he hopes to get Pharr ready for change - mainly financial growth with flexible options of getting revenue in case instances like the pandemic happen again. 

"The city of Pharr's main income is the Pharr International Bridge,” Chavez said. “So, what we're doing is investing, not just in the Pharr International Bridge, but in other means. If one sector falls, there is something else waiting to hold the city together."

Commissioner Dr. Ramiro Caballero, the current commissioner for Place 3, says his work ethic not just as a medical professional but as a city official for the past four years speaks for itself. 

"The culture of administration and governance in the city has changed quite a bit," Caballero said. "I think that's key to any business or administration." 

Dr. Caballero said many changes have occurred in the city with his assistance and other city officials in office. 

"We've done a lot of stuff to encourage businesses to come to the City of Pharr," Caballero said. "We've noted by the growth that we have a competitive edge against other cities in the area."

"Pharr Forward" will face another trio running under the name "United for Pharr".