Edinburg Mayor Omar Ochoa points to someone in the audience after they squealed in support during his swearing in Wednesday in the Edinburg Arts, Culture, and Events Center, located at 315 W. McIntyre St. Mariah Escobar/THE RIDER
On Wednesday, a swearing in ceremony for newly elected government officials was held in the Edinburg Arts, Culture, and Events Center, located at 315 W. McIntyre St.
The event highlighted the induction of Omar Ochoa, former city attorney, as mayor and the re-election of councilmember Daniel Diaz, bringing together the community of Edinburg as city officials and the public.
Ochoa garnered 62% of votes over his three opposing candidates Richard Molina, Johnny Garcia and Jonathan Salinas.
In attendance was now-former mayor Ramiro Garza Jr. who did not seek reelection due to a cancer diagnosis and Ochoa’s father Joe Ochoa, who served as mayor of Edinburg from 1993 to 2003.
“Not in my wildest dreams did I think that 32 years later, after I was elected to be your mayor in 1993 that I would have the honor of calling my son mayor,” Joe Ochoa said.
As Omar Ochoa took the oath as the new mayor of Edinburg, the crowd went silent, taking in the moment and, then, bursting into applause as Ochoa took the stage to begin his first official speech as mayor.
“Edinburg, you voted to move our city forward to launch our community into the future and to ensure that our best days are always ahead of us,” Omar Ochoa said. “I am proud, humbled, honored to stand here today and announce that a new era in Edinburg starts now.”
Ochoa said he is chomping at the bit to roll up his sleeves and dive into the details to tackle the issues of the community.
Edinburg Mayor Omar Ochoa claps and takes in the crowd as he is about to deliver his first speech during his swearing in Wednesday in the Edinburg Arts, Culture, and Events Center, located at 315 W. McIntyre St. Mariah Escobar/THE RIDEROmar Ochoa, Edinburg mayor, and Ricardo Hinojosa, United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas senior judge, hug during his swearing in Wednesday in the Edinburg Arts, Culture, and Events Center, located at 315 W. McIntyre St. Mariah Escobar/THE RIDERGerardo Lozano (from left), councilmember place 4; Daniel “Dan” Diaz, councilmember place 1; Ramiro Garza Jr., now-former Edinburg mayor; Omar Ochoa, Edinburg mayor; Jason De Leon, mayor pro tem; and David Salazar Jr., councilmember place 3, pose for a photo during Ochoa and Diaz’s swearing in Wednesday in the Edinburg Arts, Culture, and Events Center. Mariah Escobar/THE RIDEROmar Ochoa gives his first speech as mayor to the City of Edinburg during his swearing in Wednesday in the Edinburg Arts, Culture, and Events Center, located at 315 W. McIntyre St. Mariah Escobar/THE RIDEREdinburg mayor Omar Ochoa (left) is sworn into office by Ricardo Hinojosa, United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas senior judge, while Leah Wise, Ochoa’s wife, holds the Bible during his swearing in Wednesday in the Edinburg Arts, Culture, and Events Center, located at 315 W. McIntyre St. Mariah Escobar/THE RIDER
Mariah Escobar serves as a Reporter for The Rider. She is majoring Integrated Health Sciences concentrating in Professional Studies, with aspirations in the medical field.
