Rita Hernandez for SPI City Council, Place 1

Experienced. Dedicated. Community Focused.

Rita Hernandez has lived her entire life in South Texas and brings a career of educational leadership and public service to South Padre Island. In her own words:

Graduate of James Pace High School in Brownsville, TX
Bachelor of Education, Texas A&M University (College Station)
Master's degree in educational administration, UTRGV
Doctorate in education (Curriculum and Instruction), University of Houston
Training credential, Cambridge Group of Strategic Planning
Recently retired Assistant Superintendent of Schools, Brownsville ISD
Executive Director of the nonprofit training school Cameron County Education Initiative (CCEI)

"I have spent my lifetime serving the educational needs of families throughout South Texas, and now I want to serve the residents of South Padre Island."

PeopleAccountabilityTransparencyA Brighter Tomorrow

Rita first came to the island as a child, alongside her father, a house painter working the condos here. The advice she heard then: go to college, do well, and you too can live on this island. That child is now a lifelong resident asking to serve it.

"Allow this painter's child to represent the city."

Rita Hernandez at sunset on South Padre Island in her campaign shirt — Our Island. Our Future.

Her Priorities

Five commitments, drawn from her own words:

1. Your voice matters. Trust, transparency, and respect come first. "I believe in transparent leadership built on trust and that YOUR voice matters."

2. Responsible spending, planned growth. "My goal is responsible spending, my goal is planned growth. We are a barrier island and we have to be cognizant that a hurricane can change our financial landscape at any time."

3. Fix what we have before we build. Maintenance, parking, and boat ramps, then expansion the island can afford. Her point at the chamber forum: letting maintenance slide only costs the island more later, from the boat ramps to the convention center.

4. Our bay, our beach, our sand. Promote fishing, birding, and wind sports year round. "Taking care of our beach and our bay and our sand."

5. Experienced, local, listening. More than 30 years on the island and a career running public budgets. "I'm not running to represent any one group, one business or one interest. I'm running to be your voice."

Election Info

Early voting: final two days Monday, Sept 28 and Tuesday, Sept 29, 8am–7pm (no weekend voting).

Election Day: Saturday, October 3rd, 7am–7pm.

Both at the SPI Community Center, 4501 Padre Blvd.

Full voter resources →

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"I'm local. I'm here. More importantly, I'm listening."

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