"Today is not the time to be on the sidelines;

Border Security

While immigration is primarily a Federal issue, funding our law enforcement is not.  I support funding our local and state law enforcement agencies so that our citizens feel safe and protected at home in our community. 

Despite any common misconception that the current political climate may have shown on Democrats – we do not support an “open border” policy.  Being a life-long resident of a border town, I know what matters most to our citizens- safety and economic growth.  I want to make sure economic development and growth reach our citizens first. 

Job Creation

I have been the attorney for the Cameron County Texas Workforce Commission for the past seven (7) years and, the fact of the matter is- we are never going to attract large projects, entrepreneurs and the economic development we need if we do not have the necessary skilled labor force ready to tackle these issues.  Just for starters, we need plumbers, welders, electricians, and scaffolders.  When these projects do come, I want to be able to employ our citizens first.   

I vow to create Brownsville’s first skilled labor task force – Brownsville Rising – dedicated to employing our people and putting our citizens to work.  I have met and worked with leaders from every angle of community leadership here in Brownsville.  I will invite members from every board of leadership to participate in and sit at the same table.  Together, we will each provide all the attributes needed to produce hundreds of skilled laborers a year, all from our community. 

While I was blessed with the opportunity to come home to begin practicing law and working right along with my community, many of my colleagues and life-long friends did not.  The job they wanted did not exist here at home.  I’m sure many of us have seen this phenomenon plague our families, children, and friends. 

I want to make sure District 38 is a destination where everyone feels hopeful to return.  I want to make sure our community is a destination for first time homeownership, building a family, and finding your dream job!  South Texas has the perfect attribute for exactly this type of success, but we have to put in the work to make our dreams come true. 

Small Business

As soon as I graduated from South Texas College of Law in Houston, Texas, I moved back home to Brownsville, Texas.  I began practicing law with our family firm, the Law Offices of Ernesto Gamez, Jr., P.C., when I was twenty-four (24) years old.  Working here at home, next to my family, and with my community has been my life’s dream.   

I know the struggles of small business ownership.  I know what hardships government interference can place on a small business.  Over the past two years, I know how hard it has been to find steady employees throughout the pandemic. 

I have had countless conversations with other small businesses in the community and worked next to you, whether they be family-owned local taquerias, insurance companies, home builders or doctors.  I have seen how devastating local government ordinances and the endless permitting process can be on your small businesses.  I vow to do everything I can to eliminate red-tape hardships on local small business owners.  I want to make sure Brownsville, Texas is seen as a business-friendly destination for all local, family-owned small businesses.

Mental Health

Even though we may not talk about it, I would be hard-pressed to find a citizen in District 38 who has not been personally affected by a family member or friend who has suffered from mental health issues or an intellectual disability. 

I am honored to have been selected to be the appointed criminal defense attorney for Cameron County’s 1st Mental Health Diversion Court.  I represent all individuals with a qualifying mental health diagnosis who are accused of a misdemeanor or non-aggravated felony.  I work hand-in-hand with our local mental health authority, Texas Tropical Behavioral Health, to provide the necessary access to healthcare and medication for our participants in need.  I work hand-in-hand with the Cameron County District Attorney’s Office and Probation Officers to ensure our participants receive the necessary guidance and structure they need to thrive and become employed members of our society.  I am so pleased to see the numerous successful participants that graduate from our program receive not only a dismissal of their charges, but the necessary life skills they need to be successful members of our community.  Together, I know that our program is helping save lives, enhancing the welfare of our community, and compassionately helping individuals learn to navigate their mental health.

While this Mental Health Diversion Program operates on generous grant funding, this is not enough to address the multiple ways in which mental health and disabilities affect our community.  I am committed to supporting funding for jail diversion programs for those individuals with qualifying mental health illnesses, intellectual disabilities, and veterans.

For those individuals suffering silently with family, Cameron County has no long-term in-patient care facilities for individuals suffering from mental health issues.  I personally know families who have struggled to find placement for loved ones.  With nowhere to go close to home, and without proper insurance, I know how expensive and overwhelming it can be to try to find placement for your loved one.  I will fight to bring the proper in-patient facilities we need close to home. 

I vow to support any and all initiatives to enhance the mental health of our children and our community. 

Law Enforcement & First Responders

Thank you for your service. I stand with our local law enforcement and first responders.  I will defend against any attempt to interfere with your rights to unionize and administrative due process. 

I and the Law Office of Ernesto Gamez, Jr., P.C., have personally represented hundreds of law enforcement officers and first responders in a slew of issues ranging from criminal, civil to family law matters.  You trust me to fight for you here at home and I will fight for you in Austin, Texas. 

EDUCATION:
-South Texas College of Law, Doctor of Jurisprudence, Cum Laude
-The University of Texas at Austin, Bachelors of Arts in Government and Minor in Spanish, Cum Laude
-St. Joseph Academy - Top 10%

EXPERIENCE:
-Cameron County Mental Health Diversion Court, Defense Attorney
-Law offices of Ernesto Gamez, Jr. - Justice For All Building, Attorney at Law, General Litigation - Civil and Criminal Law
-State Bar of Texas - Continuing Legal Education; A South Texas Litigation Course, Lecturer on Civil Forfeiture
-82nd Legislative Session - Arnold Public Affairs, Legislative Aide (2011)
-80th Legislative Session - Texas House of Representatives, Legislative Aide (2007)

MEMBERSHIPS:
-U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts of Southern District of Texas
-State Bar of Texas
-Cameron County Bar Association
-Cameron County Women’s Law Section
-National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, DuBois-Hite Chapter
-Good Shepard Community Church
-Brownsville Community Health Center, Board Member