Texas Border Business
The McAllen Citizens League (MCL) will host a candidates forum for the McAllen City Commission District 5 Special Election on Tuesday, April 21, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the DoubleTree Hotel, 1800 S. 2nd Street in McAllen. All District 5 candidates are expected to participate. MCL has served the community since 1952 by hosting luncheon meetings that bring important public issues to the forefront.
The special election was called after former District 5 Commissioner Seby Haddad chose to run for the seat being vacated by State Rep. R.D. “Bobby” Guerra. District 5 includes central McAllen and faces issues such as downtown revitalization, public safety, infrastructure, historic preservation, and housing. The Special Election is scheduled for Saturday, May 2, 2026, with early voting to be held April 20–28, 2026.
The candidates are:
Felida Villarreal – A McAllen native, CPA, and the President/CEO of Valley Initiative for Development and Advancement (VIDA), a regional nonprofit advancing workforce development across the Rio Grande Valley. She serves on the Hidalgo County Prosperity Task Force and as an ambassador for RioPlex. She is also currently in law school.
Michael Fallek – A McAllen native and lifelong District 5 resident, Fallek is an attorney and business leader. He has served in leadership roles with the McAllen Planning and Zoning Commission, Leadership McAllen, McAllen Chamber of Commerce, Temple Emanuel, and the McAllen Convention Center Advisory Board, among other civic and economic development organizations.
Mark Murray – A South Texas College political science professor and department chair, Murray has served in community leadership roles with the McAllen Traffic Safety Commission, McAllen Housing Finance Corporation, Neighborhood Watch, and is President of Futuro RGV. He is a long-term resident of District 5 and previously ran for the District 5 seat in 2019.
Following the forum, MISD Superintendent Dr. Rene Gutierrez will present an overview of the district’s upcoming $335 million bond election focused on safety, repairs, and updated learning spaces. That election will also be held on May 2, 2026, with early voting from April 20–28, 2026.
Reservations are required. Attendees may register and pay through the posted QR code/link or call (956) 681-2861 no later than April 16, 2026. Lunch is optional. The fee is $30 for MCL members and $35 for non-members. MCL’s policy is: “A reservation made is a reservation paid.” For membership questions, call Elva M. Cerda at (956) 681-2861.
