A Letter from Danny Rios

Greetings Hidalgo County Voters:

Governor Rick Perry recently honored my family and me when he appointed me to preside over the 449^th Judicial District Court in Hidalgo County and now I would like to introduce myself to you.  My name is Daniel G. Rios (call me “Danny”).

I was blessed to attend grade school at St. Joseph’s School in Edinburg.  I graduated from Edinburg High School in 1983.  During high school, my fellow students honored me by electing me as their student body president and the local media honored me by voting me to the All-District and All-Valley Baseball Teams my junior and senior years. After high school, I attended Princeton University in New Jersey where I graduated in 1987.  After that, I went to law school at the University of Texas in Austin, where I received my degree and passed the bar exam in 1992.

Throughout my working life, my jobs taught me tough, yet positive lessons.  In high school, I worked in a fast-food chain and worked on my mom’s ranchito.  Those experiences helped me deal with perhaps the hardest, and most humbling work I ever performed, when I worked at Jolly Roger’s produce packing shed as a laborer.  During college, I worked odd jobs to make ends meet.  My parents’ lessons of self-reliance will always be with me.    

After college, the city manager of Pharr hired me to work on projects like the approval process for the Pharr/Reynosa International Bridge, the annexation of north Pharr and the water/sewer improvements for Las Milpas, just to name a few such projects.  After law school, I worked in many interesting legal jobs, such as working as an assistant district attorney prosecuting criminal cases here in Hidalgo County. 

After being recruited from the DA’s office, I worked with several law firms where I was involved in complex and challenging litigation.  I opened my own law firm in 1999, representing clients in a wide-range of legal disciplines, such as providing advice in real estate and business transactions, and prosecuting and defending commercial and personal injury cases.  I have also represented folks from all walks of life in criminal defense, family law and probate matters. 

By far and away, my most rewarding legal experience involved representing the City of Edinburg, where I was honored to be selected Edinburg’s general counsel in 2003.  Working as the attorney for my hometown was as challenging as it was rewarding.  And, in December, 2007, it was with a heavy heart that I resigned my position as Edinburg’s attorney in order to continue my public service, when I accepted the Governor’s appointment as the Judge of the 449^th State Judicial District Court here in Hidalgo County.           

Throughout my life and career, my family has blessed me with their faith and support.  My dearly departed father, Dr. Luis M. Rios, and my mother, Mary Ann Rios, guided my brothers (Luis and Edward), sister (Jennifer), and me towards happy lives and successful careers. I recognize my wife, Monica Martinez of McAllen, a teacher at McAllen ISD for many years, as an unsung hero, like so many of her fellow-teachers.  And, my four-year-old twins, Sophia and Edward, keep me humbled and focused.

It is with humility and a sense of purpose that I now respectfully ask for your support so I can continue to serve you for another term as your District Judge of the 449^th State Judicial District Court.  I invite you to join me in my campaign for this election.  I am running during the general election of 2008, which takes place in November, 2008.  Upon my election, I assure you that I will continue to bring a high level of dedication and integrity to the 449^th District Court, so I can maintain my record of honorable, efficient and respectful service to the people of Hidalgo County. 

If you would like to join me in this effort, please contact me by phone, fax or through my website.  Below you will find my contact information.  I thank you for your consideration and support.

 Respectfully,

        Danny G. Rios

 

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