Ricardo Rodriguez quits as judge, announces bid to replace longtime DA Guerra

Jacob Fischler, The Monitor

EDINBURG – After 6 1/2 years as a state district judge, Ricardo Rodriguez removed his judicial robes figuratively and literally Thursday afternoon as he announced his resignation from the bench to run for Hidalgo County district attorney.

“I am not stepping down,” Rodriguez said. “I am stepping up to the challenge.”

Flanked by his wife, Deyanira, on his left and his parents on his right, Rodriguez spoke to a few hundred enthusiastic supporters at the Edinburg City Auditorium for about 11 minutes.

Though he declined to get into specifics in his remarks or in a brief question-and-answer session with reporters following the announcement, he accused incumbent Hidalgo County District Attorney Rene Guerra of dispensing justice selectively based on political influence.

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