State of Texas
State Representative, District 37
Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa, Jr.
Democratic- On ballot as
- Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa, Jr.
- Current role
- Director of special education, Harlingen school district
- Background
- Attended Harlingen High School South
- Bachelor's degree, University of Texas Pan American (2008)
- Master's degree in education, Lamar University (2011)
- Superintendent certification, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (2024)
- Born and raised in Harlingen
- Experience
- Nearly two decades in public education (per campaign)
- Teacher, coach, principal and school administrator (per campaign)
- Democratic primary runoff (May 26, 2026): won, 61.6%
- Top priorities
- "Cut property taxes by expanding the homestead exemption and using state funding to further compress school property tax rates for homeowners."
- "Raise the Texas minimum wage to at least $15 an hour."
- "Expand Medicaid so more working Texans can afford healthcare and strengthen hospitals and clinics that serve our communities."
- "Keep public dollars in public schools and oppose voucher programs that divert resources from neighborhood classrooms."
- "Invest in flood prevention, drainage improvements, and disaster preparedness to better protect our communities."
- "Establish a state veterans cemetery in District 37"
- Tidbits
- Abortion: No public statement found
- Border and immigration: Campaign site: "Ozzie will prioritize border and public safety, reliable water, flood protection, strong infrastructure"
- Guns: No public statement found
- Public schools and vouchers: Campaign site: "Keep public dollars in public schools and oppose voucher programs that divert resources from neighborhood classrooms."
- Property taxes: Campaign site: "Cut property taxes by expanding the homestead exemption and using state funding to further compress school property tax rates for homeowners."
- Endorsements
- Texas AFL-CIO
- Texas AFT
- Campaign website
- ochoafortx37.com
Open in the full comparison: Cameron County, Willacy County