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{{short description|American politician}}

{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| image = Pete Saenz.jpg
| image = Pete Saenz.jpg
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| order = [[List of mayors of Laredo, Texas|Mayor]] of [[Laredo, Texas|Laredo]], [[Texas]]
| order = [[List of mayors of Laredo, Texas|Mayor]] of [[Laredo, Texas|Laredo]], [[Texas]]
| term_start = November 12, 2014
| term_start = November 12, 2014
| term_end =
| term_end = December 28, 2022
| predecessor =[[Raul G. Salinas|Raúl González Salinas]]
| predecessor = Raúl González Salinas
| successor =
| successor = Victor Trevino
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1951|10|29}}
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1951|10|29}}
| birth_place = [[Laredo, Texas|Laredo]], [[Texas]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[Laredo, Texas]], U.S.
| death_date =
| death_date =
| death_place =
| death_place =
| party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| resting_place =
| profession =Lawyer
| party = [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]]
| profession =[[Lawyer]]
| spouse =Minerva Cadena
| spouse =Minerva Cadena "Meva" Saenz
| children = 3
| alma_mater=[[St. Joseph's Academy (Laredo, Texas)|St. Joseph's Academy]]<br>[[Texas A&M University–Kingsville]]<br>[[St. Mary's University School of Law]]
| children =Pedro Saenz, III<br>
}}
Monica Saenz Vigil<br>
Roberto J. Saenz
| religion =[[Roman Catholicism|Roman Catholic]]
| alma_mater=[[St. Joseph's Academy (Laredo, Texas)]]<br>
[[Texas A&M University–Kingsville|Texas A&I University]]<br>
[[St. Mary's University School of Law]]
| footnotes =}}


'''Pedro Ignacio Saenz Jr.''', known as '''Pete Saenz''' (born October 29, 1951),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mylife.com/pedro-saenz/e738150018360?tvr=tvr001|title=Pedro Saenz|publisher=[[MyLife]]|accessdate=December 18, 2018}}</ref> is the [[mayor]] of [[Laredo, Texas|Laredo]], [[Texas]], a position which he assumed on November 12, 2014.
'''Pedro Ignacio “Pete” Saenz Jr.''' (born October 29, 1951) is an American attorney and politician serving as the [[mayor]] of [[Laredo, Texas|Laredo]], [[Texas]], a position which he assumed on November 12, 2014. He was term-limited and left the position on December 28, 2022.


==Family background==
==Family background==
Pete Saenz was born to Pedro Ignacio Saenz and Maria del Refugio ({{nee}} Martinez) Saenz.<ref name=saenzsr>{{cite news|url=http://www.lmtonline.com/articles/2014/11/06/obituaries/doc545b25d0d6ab1073571882.txt|title=Pedro I. Saenz, Sr.|newspaper=[[Laredo Morning Times]]|date=November 6, 2014|access-date=November 20, 2014}}</ref> Pete Saenz has two living siblings. Another sister is deceased.<ref name=saenzsr/>

Saenz is the son of Pedro Saenz, Sr. (c. 1922–2014), and the late Maria del Refugio Martinez Saenz, known as Cuquita. His father died at the age of ninety-two, just two days before Saenz was elected mayor. His grandparents were Rafael Saenz, Sr., and the former Maria del Refugio Dilley.<ref name=saenzsr>{{cite web|url=http://www.lmtonline.com/articles/2014/11/06/obituaries/doc545b25d0d6ab1073571882.txt|title=Pedro I. Saenz, Sr.|publisher=''[[Laredo Morning Times]]''|date=November 6, 2014|accessdate=November 20, 2014}}</ref>

Saenz's father was a self-educated [[dairy]]man and [[rancher]] who raised [[horse]]s, [[cattle]], [[goat]]s, and [[pig]]s. During the late 1940s, Pedro and Cuquita established El Clavel Dairy Farm, and in 1950 they purchased Las Blancas Ranch in Webb County. Saenz, Sr., was named in 1983 as the "Best Conservation Rancher" and in 1996 as "Rancher of the Year". The couple is interred in the family plot at Calvary Catholic Cemetery in Laredo. Mayor Saenz still works part-time on the family ranch.<ref name=saenzsr/>

Saenz's siblings are Graciela Martinez and Rolando Saenz. A second sister, Mary Pena, is deceased.<ref name=saenzsr/>


==Education==
==Education==
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=November 2022}}
Saenz was educated at the [[Roman Catholicism|Roman Catholic]] [[St. Joseph's Academy (Laredo, Texas)|St. Joseph's Academy]] in Laredo. He thereafter obtained [[Bachelor of Science]] and [[Master of Science]] degrees in Animal Science and Range Management, respectively, from [[Texas A&M University–Kingsville]], then known as Texas A&I University, located near [[Corpus Christi, Texas|Corpus Christi]] in [[Kingsville, Texas|Kingsville]].


==Community life==
Saenz was educated at the [[Roman Catholicism|Roman Catholic]] [[St. Joseph's Academy (Laredo, Texas)|St. Joseph's Academy]] in Laredo. He thereafter obtained [[Bachelor of Science]] and [[Master of Science]] degrees in Animal Science and Range Management, respectively, from [[Texas A&M University–Kingsville]], then known as Texas A&I University, located near [[Corpus Christi, Texas|Corpus Christi]] in [[Kingsville, Texas|Kingsville]]. After a brief career as a range conservationist with the [[United States Department of Agriculture]], Saenz entered law school and obtained his degree from [[St. Mary's University School of Law]] in [[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]], Texas. With his wife, the former Minerva "Meva" Cadena (born 1950), an educator, and their three children, Pedro Saenz, III, Monica Saenz Vigil, and Roberto J. Saenz,<ref name=saenzsr/> he returned to Laredo to establish his law practice. His office is located on Chihuahua Street in south Laredo.<ref name=aboutpete>{{cite web|url=http://petesaenzformayor.com/about-pete-3/|title=About Pete|publisher=petesaenzformayor.com|accessdate=November 20, 2014|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20141125191051/http://petesaenzformayor.com/about-pete-3/|archivedate=November 25, 2014|df=}}</ref>
{{BLP unreferenced section|date=November 2022}}
For twelve years, Saenz was a member of the [[Laredo Community College]] board of trustees. He also served a stint as the board president. During his tenure on the board, the [[Laredo Community College South Campus|South Campus]] was established, and most buildings on the main campus on West Washington Street were renovated. He is a former president of the South Texas Food Bank and the Laredo Affordable Housing Corporation.


==2018 mayoral election==
==Community and political life==
{{see also|2018 Laredo mayoral election}}

A third mayoral candidate was current city councilman Carlos Alberto "Charlie" San Miguel (born February 29, 1968).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/Ex-councilman-Roque-Vela-Jr-announces-run-for-13087834.php|title=Ex-councilman Roque Vela, Jr., announces run for Laredo mayor|newspaper=The Laredo Morning Times|date=July 19, 2018|access-date=July 24, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lmtonline.com/local/politics/article/Final-voting-results-from-the-November-2018-13371054.php|title=Final voting results from the November 2018 general and special elections in Webb County|newspaper=The Laredo Morning Times|date=November 7, 2018|access-date=November 8, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/La-Gordiloca-announces-she-will-run-for-mayor-12866248.php|title='La Gordiloca' announces she will run for mayor in upcoming election|author=JeriLynn Thorpe|newspaper=The Laredo Morning Times|date=April 26, 2018|access-date=May 5, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lmtonline.com/opinion/article/Writer-Councilman-Vela-deceived-the-citizens-of-10697499.php|title=Councilman Vela deceived the citizens of district V in a very big way|date=October 20, 2016|newspaper=The Laredo Morning Times|author=Jorge Salazar|access-date=July 28, 2018}}</ref> Saenz then handily won the runoff contest with 13,972 votes (64.5 percent) to Vela's 7,694 (35.5 percent).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/Early-voting-results-released-for-runoff-races-in-13464745.php|title=Final voting results released for runoff races in Laredo, Rio Bravo|newspaper=The Laredo Morning Times|date=December 13, 2018|access-date=December 18, 2018}}</ref>
For twelve years, Saenz was a member of the [[Laredo Community College]] board of trustees. He also served a stint as the board president. During his tenure on the board, the [[Laredo Community College South Campus|South Campus]] was established, and most buildings on the main campus on West Washington Street were renovated. He is also a former president of the South Texas Food Bank and the Laredo Affordable Housing Corporation.<ref name=aboutpete/>

In his campaign for mayor against a multi-candidate field, Saenz carried the endorsement of the ''[[Laredo Morning Times]]''. The newspaper described Saenz as possessing "the savvy and tools to lead municipal government to the next level, with hands-on hard work, ethical performance, dedication, integrity and vision for communitywide betterment, growth and improvement ..."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://petesaenzformayor.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/LMT-Endorsement.png|title=Laredo Morning Times endorses these candidates|publisher=''Laredo Morning Times''|accessdate=November 20, 2014}}</ref>

Saenz won the mayoral race with 53.3 percent of the votes cast in the nominally [[non-partisan]] city contest held in conjunction with the regular November 4 [[general election]]. Jerry Garza (born 1976) finished second in the contest with 20.5 percent of the vote. A businessman, he is a former [[KGNS-TV]] news personality and former two-term member of the Webb County Commissioners Court. Garza ran unsuccessfully in 2012 for the [[Texas House of Representatives]] against fellow [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Tracy King]] of [[Batesville, Texas|Batesville]], Texas, who still holds that position. City council member Cynthia "Cindy" Espinoza Liendo (born 1975), finished third in the mayoral election with 19.1 percent.<ref>"Saenz wins mayoral race, 8 runoffs set for December 20", ''Laredo Morning Times'', November 5, 2014, p. 1</ref> The incumbent two-term mayor, [[Raul G. Salinas|Raúl González Salinas]], was [[Term limits|term-limited]]; on May 27, 2014, Salinas lost a Democratic [[runoff election]] for the position of Webb County treasurer to the incumbent Delia Perales.<ref>''Laredo Morning Times'', May 28, 2014, p. 1</ref>

Within one week of Saenz's taking office, Carlos Roberto Villarreal (born 1946), the Laredo [[city manager]] since 2007, announced his immediate retirement during contract negotiations initiated by four of the eight city council members. His salary was set in 2013 at $230,000 annually. Deputy city manager Cynthia Collazo will take over Villarreal's duties pending the naming of an interim city manager. The city council must then choose a permanent successor. Villarreal said in announcing his departure, "You know you can't be here forever. I was the longest-tenured city manager here in the city of Laredo." Saenz said that he wants a city manager to be chosen through a nationwide search. He seeks an individual who will remain in the position for at least eight years.<ref>''Laredo Morning Times'', November 18, 2014, p. 1</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kgns.tv/home/headlines/City-council-meets-to-discuss-the-future-of-Laredo-city-manager-282991481.html|title=City Manager to step down|publisher=[[KGNS-TV]]|date=November 18, 2014|accessdate=November 21, 2014}}</ref> Villarreal received a large severance package upon departure, a total of $603,503, which includes eighteen months of pay and unused [[Annual leave|annual]] and [[sick leave]]. The council named the assistant city manager, Jesus "Chuy" Olivares, as the interim city manager.<ref>"Retirement deal: Carlos Villarreal will receive $603,503, ''Laredo Morning Times'', December 3, 2014, p. 1</ref>

On November 21, 2014, Saenz addressed a meeting in Laredo of the Logistics and Manufacturing Association in which he endorsed Villarreal's retirement: "I ran for change. I stand for change. ... All roads lead to the city management position."<ref name=saenzinoffice>Gabriela A. Trevino, "LMA Guest Speaker Mayor Saenz discusses change", ''Laredo Morning Times'', November 22, 2014, pp. 1, 16A</ref>

Laredo resident Mario Ortiz disputes Saenz's account of the Villarreal retirement. In a letter to the ''Laredo Morning Times'', Ortiz noted that the city could have delayed action until April 2015 when Villarreal's contract came up for review. This would have reduced taxpayer liability in the payout. Ortiz also said that Saenz could have vetoed the retirement buyout, particularly since four council member had voted in April 2014 to give Villarreal a $40,000 annual raise. "Mayor Saenz is not off to a good start," concluded Ortiz.<ref>Mario Ortiz, "Writer: Mayor Saenz is not off to a good start", ''Laredo Morning Times'', January 4, 2015, p. 12A</ref> After conducting number of interviews of interested applicants, the city council decided to elevate assistant city manager Jesus "Chuy" Olivares (born c. 1958) to the manager's position. Olivares is a former city manager in [[Eagle Pass, Texas|Eagle Pass]], Texas. At the time of the decision, there was no District 7 representation on the council.<ref>Kendra Ablaza, "City manager named: Council selects Olivares without District 7 input", ''Laredo Morning Times'', March 25, 2015, p. 1</ref>

Saenz contends that he is committed to fighting [[political corruption]] and to regaining public trust in city government. He submitted a hair sample to prove that he is drug-free. He vowed to work to reduce the large rate of [[poverty]] in Laredo and to maintain sound budgeting practices.<ref name=saenzinoffice/> Saenz has called for an independent city auditor with jurisdiction over all city departments and offices, including the mayor, city manager, and the council members.<ref>Gabriela A. Trevino, "Local corruption: Professor: Action could change ways dating to 1800s", ''Laredo Morning Times'', January 5, 2015, pp. 1, 12A</ref>

In March 2016, Saenz [[veto]]ed the appointment of former city manager Carlos Villarreal to the Laredo Ethics Commission. Three city council members, led by Roque Vela, the sponsor of the Villarreal appointment, failed in an attempt to [[Veto override|override]] Saenz's veto.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lmtonline.com/front-news/article_ae2fb346-efe2-11e5-85f4-637c6a7f3b4c.html|title=City Council vetoes former city manager's appointment to ethics board|publisher=''Laredo Morning Times''|author=Gabriela A. Treviño|date=March 21, 2016|accessdate=March 22, 2016}}</ref>

===Donald Trump visit===

On July 23, 2015, Saenz and other Laredo city officials welcomed [[2016 Republican Party presidential candidates|Republican presidential candidate]] [[Donald Trump]] to Laredo.<ref>Kendra Ablaza, "Trump visits Laredo: To meet with law enforcement, ''Laredo Morning Times'', July 213, 2015, pp. 1, 7A</ref> In his three-hour stopover, Trump, who wore a white sports cap to shield himself from the South Texas sun, had been scheduled to meet with representatives of the [[United States Border Patrol]], but the BP union nixed those plans at the last minute.<ref>Kendra Ablaza, "3 hours in Laredo: Donald Trump tours border", ''Laredo Morning Times'', July 24, 2015, p. 1</ref>
More than a week after the visit, which received national attention, many Laredo Democrats were still livid over the welcome afforded to the Republican candidate, though there were no endorsements of Trump's candidacy by any of those officials. [[U.S. Representative]] [[Joaquín Castro]] of [[Texas's 20th congressional district]], based in [[San Antonio, Texas|San Antonio]], scolded the Laredo officials for "rolling out the red carpet" for Trump, whom Castro claimed made "hateful comments to Mexican immigrants."<ref name=lmttrump>Gabriela A. Trevino, "True perspective: City defends warm welcome", ''Laredo Morning Times'', July 30, 2015, pp. 1, 12A</ref> The city officials issued a press release in their defense:
<blockquote>City of Laredo officials saw an opportunity to meet with Trump to give him a true perspective of not only the border, but the vital role that the City of Laredo plays in all issues related to border trade and security and why those issues are important to the rest of the country. ... Donald Trump has the national spotlight and the bully pulpit, and frankly everyone is listening to what he is saying. While I [Mayor Saenz], along with many here in Laredo, disagreed very much with his positions and comments, especially his characterization of Mexican immigrant and our relationship with Mexico, this wan an opportunity to engage him in meaningful dialogue that could hopefully have an impact on his rhetoric. I believe we accomplished that.<ref name=lmttrump/></blockquote>

Later, Saenz told a gathering in the capital city of [[Austin, Texas|Austin]] that he felt compelled to be a "gracious host" to explain to Trump how a [[Trump's border wall|border wall]] and mass deportations were counterproductive:

<blockquote>I told him [the wall] was not practical ... aside from it being offensive to Mexico, which is our second- or third-largest trading partner, the cost is impractical, and it's not practical inside Texas, where the [[Rio Grande]] sometimes throughout the year is a source of drinking water for [[livestock]]. ... We're a ranching community. What are you going to do — dam the tributaries? He did change his tone a little bit. He did say maybe the wall is not appropriate for the entire border and certain sections are not conducive for that.<ref name=austinstatesman>{{cite web|url=
http://www.mystatesman.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/donald-trump-persuaded-by-laredo-mayor-to-temper-b/nn5DC/|title=Donald Trump persuaded by Laredo mayor to temper border wall plan|author=Donald Tilove|publisher=''[[Austin American-Statesman]]''|date=October 17, 2015|accessdate=January 29, 2016}}</ref></blockquote>

Saenz said that Trump misinterpreted the large crowd that greeted him at the [[Laredo International Airport]]. "When he landed, he asked, 'Is it safe for me to get down (off the plane)?' In his mind, in his own consciousness, he perceived danger," said Saenz. Though there were some protesters, the candidate faced no danger. As the two rode in Trump's Suburban, Saenz said that Trump took note of all the people who came to see him and remarked: "Hey, the Hispanics love me." Saenz replied, "No, they don't. They've never seen a white Republican before," for Laredo is 96 percent Hispanic and solidly Democratic.<ref name=austinstatesman/> Actually white Republicans, including [[George W. Bush]] and [[Clayton W. Williams, Jr.]], have occasionally campaigned, mostly unsuccessfully, in Laredo.

==Mayoral election of 2018==
Saenz was first expected to face opposition in the November 6 municipal election from a self-styled "citizen journalist", Priscilla "La Gordiloca" Villarreal, who carries 90,000 [[Facebook]] followers. Villarreal's announcement of candidacy came after criminal charges against her were dismissed. Late in 2017, she was charged with two counts of misuse of official information, a third-degree [[felony]], after publishing information about a [[suicide]] and an automobile accident.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/La-Gordiloca-announces-she-will-run-for-mayor-12866248.php|title=''La Gordiloca' announces she will run for mayor in upcoming election|author=JeriLynn Thorpe|publisher=''The Laredo Morning Times''|date=April 26, 2018|accessdate=May 5, 2018}}</ref>

Despite her earlier consideration of candidacy, Villarreal did not file for mayor. Instead she endorsed one of Saenz's challengers, Roque Vela, Jr., a member of the Laredo City Council from 2012 until his defeat for a second term in 2016. Vela said that the council should stop diverting money from enterprise funds to augment the general fund. He also urged the city to look at property taxes, fees and having trash picked up twice a week, rather than once. In the 2016 council election, Vela disclosed that he had been arrested for possession of twenty-two pounds of [[marijuana]], syringes, and a firearm.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lmtonline.com/opinion/article/Writer-Councilman-Vela-deceived-the-citizens-of-10697499.php|title=Councilman Vela deceived the citizens of district V in a very big way|date=October 20, 2016|publisher=''The Laredo Morning Times''|author=Jorge Salazar (Letter to the Editor)|accessdate=July 28, 2018}}</ref>

A third mayoral candidate was the current city councilman Carlos Alberto "Charlie" San Miguel (born February 29, 1968).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/Ex-councilman-Roque-Vela-Jr-announces-run-for-13087834.php|title=Ex-councilman Roque Vela, Jr., announces run for Laredo mayor|publisher=''The Laredo Morning Times''|date=July 19, 2018|accessdate=July 24, 2018}}</ref>

Based on returns in the nonpartisan mayoral election held on November 6, 2018, Saenz was forced into a runoff election on December 13 with Vela. The mayor led the balloting with 21,696 votes (47.6 percent) to Vela's 12,766 (28 percent). City councilman Charlie San Miguel finished third with 9,292 votes (20.4 percent). Two other candidates, Avelino Juarez and Randall Walden, held the remaining 4 percent of the ballots cast.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lmtonline.com/local/politics/article/Final-voting-results-from-the-November-2018-13371054.php|title=Final voting results from the November 2018 general and special elections in Webb County|publisher=''The Laredo Morning Times''|date=November 7, 2018|accessdate=November 8, 2018}}</ref> Saenz then handily won the runoff contest with 13,972 votes (64.5 percent) to Vela's 7,694 (35.5 percent).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lmtonline.com/local/article/Early-voting-results-released-for-runoff-races-in-13464745.php|title=Final voting results released for runoff races in Laredo, Rio Bravo|publisher=''The Laredo Morning Times''|date=December 13, 2018|accessdate=December 18, 2018}}</ref>

{{Portalbar|Biography|Texas|Politics|Education|Law|Christianity}}


== References ==
== References ==
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==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Commonscat-inline}}
*{{C-SPAN}}
*{{C-SPAN}}


{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
{{succession box |
{{succession box |
before=[[Raul G. Salinas|Raúl González Salinas]]|
before=[[Raúl González Salinas]]|
title=[[List of mayors of Laredo, Texas|Mayor]] of [[Laredo, Texas|Laredo]], [[Texas]]
title=[[List of mayors of Laredo, Texas|Mayor]] of [[Laredo, Texas|Laredo]], [[Texas]] |
years=2014&ndash;2022 |
Pedro Ignacio "Pete" Saenz, Jr.|
after=Victor Trevino}}
years=2014 &ndash; |
after=Incumbent}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}


{{Portalbar|Biography|Texas|Politics|Education|Law|Christianity}}
{{Texas cities and mayors of 100,000 population}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Saenz, Pete}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Saenz, Pete}}
[[Category:1951 births]]
[[Category:1951 births]]
[[Category:21st-century American politicians]]
[[Category:Activists from Texas]]
[[Category:American conservationists]]
[[Category:American politicians of Mexican descent]]
[[Category:Catholics from Texas]]
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American mayors in Texas]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Mayors of Laredo, Texas]]
[[Category:Ranchers from Texas]]
[[Category:People from Laredo, Texas]]
[[Category:People from Laredo, Texas]]
[[Category:School board members in Texas]]
[[Category:St. Mary's University School of Law alumni]]
[[Category:Texas A&M University–Kingsville alumni]]
[[Category:Texas Democrats]]
[[Category:Texas lawyers]]
[[Category:Texas lawyers]]
[[Category:Mayors of Laredo, Texas]]
[[Category:Texas Democrats]]
[[Category:Hispanic and Latino American mayors]]
[[Category:Texas A&M University–Kingsville alumni]]
[[Category:St. Mary's University School of Law alumni]]
[[Category:School board members in Texas]]
[[Category:American conservationists]]
[[Category:Ranchers from Texas]]
[[Category:American Roman Catholics]]
[[Category:Activists from Texas]]
[[Category:21st-century American politicians]]
[[Category:Catholics from Texas]]

Latest revision as of 07:06, 3 July 2024

Pete Saenz
Saenz in 2017
Mayor of Laredo, Texas
In office
November 12, 2014 – December 28, 2022
Preceded byRaúl González Salinas
Succeeded byVictor Trevino
Personal details
Born (1951-10-29) October 29, 1951 (age 72)
Laredo, Texas, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseMinerva Cadena
Children3
Alma materSt. Joseph's Academy
Texas A&M University–Kingsville
St. Mary's University School of Law
ProfessionLawyer

Pedro Ignacio “Pete” Saenz Jr. (born October 29, 1951) is an American attorney and politician serving as the mayor of Laredo, Texas, a position which he assumed on November 12, 2014. He was term-limited and left the position on December 28, 2022.

Family background

[edit]

Pete Saenz was born to Pedro Ignacio Saenz and Maria del Refugio (née Martinez) Saenz.[1] Pete Saenz has two living siblings. Another sister is deceased.[1]

Education

[edit]

Saenz was educated at the Roman Catholic St. Joseph's Academy in Laredo. He thereafter obtained Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Animal Science and Range Management, respectively, from Texas A&M University–Kingsville, then known as Texas A&I University, located near Corpus Christi in Kingsville.

Community life

[edit]

For twelve years, Saenz was a member of the Laredo Community College board of trustees. He also served a stint as the board president. During his tenure on the board, the South Campus was established, and most buildings on the main campus on West Washington Street were renovated. He is a former president of the South Texas Food Bank and the Laredo Affordable Housing Corporation.

2018 mayoral election

[edit]

A third mayoral candidate was current city councilman Carlos Alberto "Charlie" San Miguel (born February 29, 1968).[2][3][4][5] Saenz then handily won the runoff contest with 13,972 votes (64.5 percent) to Vela's 7,694 (35.5 percent).[6]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Pedro I. Saenz, Sr". Laredo Morning Times. November 6, 2014. Retrieved November 20, 2014.
  2. ^ "Ex-councilman Roque Vela, Jr., announces run for Laredo mayor". The Laredo Morning Times. July 19, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
  3. ^ "Final voting results from the November 2018 general and special elections in Webb County". The Laredo Morning Times. November 7, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  4. ^ JeriLynn Thorpe (April 26, 2018). "'La Gordiloca' announces she will run for mayor in upcoming election". The Laredo Morning Times. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  5. ^ Jorge Salazar (October 20, 2016). "Councilman Vela deceived the citizens of district V in a very big way". The Laredo Morning Times. Retrieved July 28, 2018.
  6. ^ "Final voting results released for runoff races in Laredo, Rio Bravo". The Laredo Morning Times. December 13, 2018. Retrieved December 18, 2018.
[edit]
Preceded by Mayor of Laredo, Texas
2014–2022
Succeeded by
Victor Trevino