On Saturday May 4, 2024, Erica Canales accomplished an incredible feat as the Hidalgo County Appraisal District elections came to a close.

The eagerly awaited elections are the result of a new law in Texas that created three elected board member positions to represent the citizens of Hidalgo County on matters regarding the functions, management, and operations of the Tax Appraisal District. Canales, with no personal political history, squared off against a long time local politico, a former Chairman of the Hidalgo County Democratic Party, who was also previously elected to serve as a Precinct Chair, and a State Party Delegate for Senate District 20. Canales received overwhelming county-wide support, winning by a staggering margin of over 86% of the total votes. The victory marks not only the first time members have been elected to the newly created positions, but more impressively, it is the first time that anyone running for a Hidalgo county wide position has ever won by such an astoundingly large margin. She is set to officially take office on July 1, 2024.

Canales was inspired to run for office due to her extensive experience and knowledge of the property tax system, which she has gained over twenty years as a business owner and real estate developer. As part of the first cohort of an elected Appraisal Board, Canales says she plans on being a very active and vocal member of the Board, who will fight tirelessly for fairness and transparency in the property tax system. She is an adamant believer in open and transparent government, and stands for the principle that government exists to serve the people and not the other way around.

On election night, Erica Canales surrounded by her husband and five children at a venue packed with enthusiastic supporters made the following statement:

“First, I have to thank God for the opportunity to run and emerge victorious in this hard fought victory. I also have to express my sincerest gratitude to my family and the hard working people of Hidalgo County for electing me to this important position. It is deeply humbling to have received such an incredible outpouring of support from the entire county, and I am honored to have been entrusted with such a great responsibility. As a businesswoman, I know first hand the struggles that come with fighting ballooning property taxes, and ever increasing property tax appraisals. Having personally filed hundreds of property tax protests over the years, I know all too well how difficult it can be to navigate what is undoubtedly a confusing and often unfair tax system. It is long overdue, but the time has come, that we begin the era that prioritizes transparency, education, and understanding of the property tax process and appraisal system for all Texans. With the election over, it is time to get to work. I fully intend on making the most of my time on the Appraisal Board, by pulling back the curtain on a process which either by design or fate has become shrouded in bureaucracy. Texans have demanded and deserve better!”

Born and raised in the county of Hidalgo, Mrs. Erica Canales, resides in Edinburg with her husband Mr. Terry Canales and their five children: Juliana, Terry, Caleb, Trigo and Catalina.