By Calhoun County Commissioner Roger Galvan, Newly Elected Second Vice President, South Texas County Judges and Commissioners Association
Back in the mid-1960s, my dad, Clyde G. Galvan, ran for County Commissioner in Precinct 2 and lost by 12 votes. Eight years later, he ran again for County Commissioner and lost by 22 votes. I did what I could to help him win, even though at the time I was not old enough to vote. Well, my dad gave up and said, “No more for me!” Several years later, he passed away.
The same year that we lost him I decided to run for city council on a citywide ballot, and I was elected as a councilman. Two years later, I ran again but lost. I then ran for justice of the peace and lost by 20 votes. Three years later, I ran for justice of the peace and lost again; this time I said, “No more for me!”
Well, that didn’t last long.
We had been redistricting and now had new precincts. So, I decided to run for County Commissioner. I lost that race, then ran again and lost. Finally, in the year 2000, I was elected.
Upon my election someone asked the question, “Why did you run for County Commissioner?” Honestly, my mind went blank at that question. I finally responded in jest: “I’ve run for that office so many times that I forgot the reason I ran in the first place!”
I am currently serving my fourth term, and I have had a wonderful experience working on behalf of my county and my precinct. I have received many awards from my community, and I am deeply grateful for the recognition from my constituents and my peers.
I was privileged to serve as president of the South Texas Association in 2009-2010. I have also served on many other committees, and I can actually say (with a little sarcasm), “Not bad for being a loser!”
I look forward to serving our Association once again. Feel free to call on me if I can assist you in any way.