Enrique Holguin
Enrique Holguin (Democratic Party) is running for election for judge of the Texas 168th District Court. Holguin is on the ballot in the Democratic primary runoff on May 26, 2026. Holguin advanced from the Democratic primary on March 3, 2026.
Holguin was a judge for Number 4 of the El Paso Municipal Court in Texas. Holguin assumed office in 2021. Holguin left office on January 7, 2025.
Holguin was appointed to the court by the El Paso City Council on February 3, 2021, following the death of Lillian Blancas, who won the seat in a runoff election on December 5, 2020.[1]
Biography
Holguin received his bachelor's degree in history from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2004 and his J.D. from Texas Wesleyan University in 2012. His legal career began working as an Assistant District Attorney at the El Paso District Attorney's Office in 2013. From 2013 to 2014, he was an Attorney At Law with the Law Office of Joseph Sib Abraham. He also worked as an Attorney At Law with Jaime Alvarado & Assoc., PLLC.[2]
Elections
2026
See also: Municipal elections in El Paso County, Texas (2026)
General election
The primary will occur on May 26, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
General election for Texas 168th District Court
R. Wayne Pritchard (R) is running in the general election for Texas 168th District Court on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
| R. Wayne Pritchard (R) | ||
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Democratic primary runoff
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
Democratic primary runoff for Texas 168th District Court
Bernardo Cruz (D) and Enrique Holguin (D) are running in the Democratic primary runoff for Texas 168th District Court on May 26, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Bernardo Cruz | |
| Enrique Holguin | ||
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| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
Democratic primary for Texas 168th District Court
Enrique Holguin (D) and Bernardo Cruz (D) advanced to a runoff. They defeated Robert J. Perez (D) in the Democratic primary for Texas 168th District Court on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Enrique Holguin | 37.1 | 22,428 | |
| ✔ | | Bernardo Cruz | 34.4 | 20,778 |
| Robert J. Perez | 28.5 | 17,259 | ||
| Total votes: 60,465 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
Republican primary for Texas 168th District Court
R. Wayne Pritchard (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Texas 168th District Court on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | R. Wayne Pritchard | 100.0 | 17,869 | |
| Total votes: 17,869 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Endorsements
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2022
See also: City elections in El Paso, Texas (2022)
General election
Special general election for El Paso Municipal Court No. 4
Incumbent Enrique Holguin won election in the special general election for El Paso Municipal Court No. 4 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Enrique Holguin (Nonpartisan) | 100.0 | 94,795 | |
| Total votes: 94,795 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
2020
See also: City elections in El Paso, Texas (2020)
General runoff election
General runoff election for El Paso Municipal Court No. 4
Lillian Blancas defeated Enrique Holguin in the general runoff election for El Paso Municipal Court No. 4 on December 12, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Lillian Blancas (Nonpartisan) | 60.2 | 29,344 | |
| Enrique Holguin (Nonpartisan) | 39.8 | 19,413 | ||
| Total votes: 48,757 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
General election
General election for El Paso Municipal Court No. 4
Lillian Blancas and Enrique Holguin advanced to a runoff. They defeated incumbent Lauren Ferris in the general election for El Paso Municipal Court No. 4 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | Lillian Blancas (Nonpartisan) | 40.1 | 75,132 | |
| ✔ | Enrique Holguin (Nonpartisan) | 34.2 | 64,203 | |
| Lauren Ferris (Nonpartisan) | 25.7 | 48,235 | ||
| Total votes: 187,570 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
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Campaign website
Holguin's campaign website stated the following:
Having worked in policy, advocacy, and in government for years — I have the deep understanding of how policy works. Below are a mix of policy ideas, stances, and what the State should be doing. It takes hard work in the Texas Legislature to get some of these done — and quite honestly, many can’t be done with with just one state legislator alone. These are not all-encompassing. I promise that I will uphold my values on these issues and support, advocate and fight on these issues. My focus is uplifting our communities.
JOBS/ECONOMY
Building Strong Paychecks: We’re focused on creating better-paying jobs right here in the Valley so families can thrive, not just get by.
- Preparing for the Future: From AI to clean energy, we’ll get ahead of change and make sure people from our community have the skills to compete and succeed.
- Supporting Small Business: By working with community banks and local entrepreneurs, we’ll expand access to credit and give small businesses the tools to grow.
- Diversifying Our Economy: The RGV can’t rely on one or two sectors alone. We’ll invest in industries like health care, logistics, tech, and clean energy to secure long-term growth. We HAVE to think ahead and lead on jobs (especially when it comes to A.I.) - not be the last to make a move.
- Opportunity for Every Family: A stronger economy isn’t about Wall Street - it’s about Main Street. Every decision should put working families first. We need to ensure we have jobs opportunities here so our kids and grandkids don’t feel the need to leave the Valley to find opportunity.
LOWERING COST OF LIVING
Lowering Cost: Puts the state back to work for working Texans, easing everyday costs so families in the Valley can keep more of their paycheck and build a secure future - not give our tax dollars and tax breaks to major corporations that are bleeding our communities dry.
- Lower Property Taxes: Have the State fund a larger share of our public schools so families & senior citizens aren’t crushed by rising local property taxes.
- Cap Medication Costs: Put a lid on the price of essentials like insulin and inhalers so no Texan has to choose between medicine and groceries.
- Cut Utility Bills: Expand rebates for energy efficiency and community solar so families save on electricity and water.
- Homes People Can Afford: Get rid of red tape blocking affordable homes from being built and protect families from price gouging after disasters.
- Childcare Relief: Invest in childcare options so working parents can keep more of their paycheck.
- Stronger Renters Rights: Ensure renters have clear protections against unsafe living conditions and surprise fees that drive up monthly costs
HEALTHCARE
Extending Healthcare: Puts the state back to work for working Texans, easing everyday costs so families in the Valley can keep more of their paycheck and build a secure future - not give our tax dollars and tax breaks to major corporations that are bleeding our communities dry.
- Extend Medicaid to those in Need: Bring billions of federal dollars home and cover more hardworking Texans.
- Lower Maternal Mortality: Guarantee 12 months postpartum coverage and invest in doulas, midwives, and maternal health programs.
- Cut Red Tape: Make it easier for families to keep Medicaid, CHIP, and SNAP without constant paperwork.
- Expand Community Clinics: Invest in health centers, mobile units, and telehealth so care is close to home.
- Cap Drug Costs: Limit the price of life-saving medications like insulin and inhalers.
- Grow the Health Workforce: Support loan forgiveness and training pipelines for Valley doctors, nurses, and mental health providers.
- Repeal laws that prevent women from making their own healthcare decisions when it comes to reproductive health.
HOMEOWNERSHIP - PROPERTY TAXES - RENT
Pathways to homeownership & rent protections: Homeownership is part of the American dream and it is becoming more difficult to achieve. The Texas Legislature has the power to lower barriers to homeownership. Texans shouldn’t have to wait till they’re pushing 40 to finally qualify. We have to do something now.
- Colonia & Infill Boost (RGV-specific): Expand EDAP (Economically Distressed Areas) and tie water/sewer upgrades to infill starter-home construction, small-lot subdivisions, and ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Unit).
- Statewide Rent Reporting Program: Require large property management companies (e.g., 10+ units) to automatically report on-time rental payments to major credit bureaus.
- Property Taxes/State Responsibility for School Funding: Continue to shift a greater share of school finance from local property taxpayers to the state, relieving pressure on homeowners and renters alike.
- Eviction Diversion (Efficiency Focus): Fund streamlined mediation and payment-plan programs that help resolve cases before they hit the courts, saving time and money for both landlords and tenants.
- Expand’s existing programs so first-time buyers in Texas can get 3–5% down assistance.
PUBLIC EDUCATION
Rebuilding Public Education: We have A LOT to do when it comes to our public schools and public education. Texas Republican Legislators have spent decades dismantling the key to opportunity in our state - education. We have to rebuild public ed in Texas in a way that works for our students and teachers/staff.
- Increase the State Share of School Funding: Commit to raising the state’s contribution to at least 65% of public education costs (right now it’s closer to 38%). This reduces reliance on local property taxes and makes school funding more equitable across districts.
- Special Education & English Learners: Increase funding weights and hold the state accountable for federally required services.
- Universal Free School Meals: Fund breakfast and lunch for all students statewide — reducing stigma, improving focus, and supporting families.
- Mental Health & Counselors: Fund more counselors, social workers, and nurses so students have the support they need to succeed in and out of class.
- Career & Technical Education (CTE): Expand funding for partnerships with community colleges and employers so high school students can graduate with credentials, apprenticeships, or workforce certifications.
- Community Schools Model: Support schools that provide wraparound services (health clinics, after-school, family support) to tackle non-academic barriers to success.
- Assessment Reform: Replace the high-stakes STAAR with through-year adaptive assessments + broader indicators like graduation rates, college/career readiness, and student growth. Incorporate measures such as attendance, extracurricular access, dual credit/CTE participation, and student & parents involvement and well-being into campus ratings.
- Teacher Pay Raise Plan: Establish a multi-year plan to raise average teacher salaries to meet or exceed the national average. Include dedicated raises for support staff (paraprofessionals, bus drivers, aides).
- TRS Cost-of-Living Adjustments (COLAs): Guarantee regular COLAs for retired teachers so benefits keep pace with inflation, instead of one-time “13th checks.”
CHILDCARE & EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION
Investing in Early Childhood Education: Every child in Texas deserves a fair start in life, and that means investing in early childhood education so parents can work, teachers can thrive, and kids can succeed from day one.
- Create a dedicated state fund to supplement federal Child Care Development Block Grant (CCDBG) dollars - so that Texas can serve more families on waitlists.
- Raise the reimbursement rate for pre-K so school districts aren’t forced to subsidize early childhood with K-12 dollars.
- Tie state funds to minimum wage floors for early childhood workers, so they aren’t leaving the field for higher-paying retail or fast-food jobs.
- Expand access to bilingual/dual-language pre-K programs, especially in majority-Latino areas like the RGV.
SMALL BUSINESSES
Small Business That Thrive: Small businesses are the backbone of the Valley’s economy. They’re our taquerías, barbershops, trucking companies, and startups - and they deserve the same support the state hands out to billion-dollar corporations. If we invest in our small businesses, we invest in our families, our workers, and our future.
- Raise the exemption threshold on the state franchise tax and property tax valuation for small enterprises, reducing their overhead.
- Simplify the process for small and local businesses to win state contracts, cutting paperwork and reducing costs to compete.
- Give state and local agencies incentives to prioritize Valley-based small businesses in procurement, keeping dollars in the community.
- Create a state grant or voucher program to help small businesses cover the cost of financial software (QuickBooks, FreshBooks, Square, Shopify, etc.), so owners can modernize their bookkeeping and payroll systems.
- Fund partnerships with nonprofits and chambers to provide one-on-one assistance in using digital tools to manage loans, apply for grants, and prepare for tax season.
AGRICULTURE
The Future of Agriculture: Just like oil once defined Texas, agriculture has always defined the Valley. But we can’t win tomorrow’s markets with yesterday’s tools - investing in AI for agriculture means stronger harvests, smarter water use, and good-paying jobs right here at home.
- Fund programs through South Texas colleges and workforce boards to train the next generation in ag-tech, irrigation, and food processing.
- Support grants for farms that adopt AI-driven equipment (drones, sensors, autonomous tractors) paired with local training programs so Valley workers get new skills rather than being replaced.
- Fund apprenticeships at UTRGV and South Texas College that train young workers in AI and precision ag, so the next generation of Valley farmers and farm managers lead in new technology.
- Expand state-funded mobile health clinics or partnerships with community health centers to serve uninsured agricultural workers.
- Pass legislation requiring shade, rest breaks, and water access during extreme heat — modeled on OSHA standards — to protect agricultural workers.
VETERANS
In the 2019 Texas Legislature, I was honored to be working alongside Burn Pits 360 Veterans Organization to fight for HB306, The Texas Open Burn Pits Registry Act, which was authored by Rep. Abel Herrero & Sen. Juan “Chuy” Hinojosa and signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott. In 2022, I worked with the same great people to help get the Honoring Our PACT Act signed into law by President Biden. Supporting our veterans has always been a priority.
- Expand automatic transfer of military training into state-recognized certifications (CDL, EMT, cybersecurity, logistics, HVAC, etc.), cutting red tape that blocks vets from good-paying jobs.
- Create a state-level hiring credit for Texas businesses that employ veterans — especially small businesses in rural or high-vet areas like the Valley.
- Launch a program training veterans for solar, wind, and infrastructure jobs, leveraging their technical and leadership backgrounds.
- Increase funding for the Texas Veterans + Family Alliance Grant Program, so more local nonprofits and clinics can provide counseling, peer support, and family-based therapy.
- Establish a state-run pilot program focused on treating opioid addiction among veterans, with wraparound services (housing, employment counseling, mental health).
- Create a pilot program within the Texas Veterans Commission to provide subsidized access to psychedelic-assisted therapy in controlled, clinical settings for veterans with PTSD.
ENVIRONMENT
Leading on the Environment: The Valley can be the engine of Texas’s clean energy future — lowering bills, creating jobs, and keeping our kids healthy.
- Restructure TCEQ’s leadership so appointees aren’t solely handpicked by the Governor, adding legislative oversight and mandatory public hearings on major permits.
- Mandate real-time public alerts on air, water, and chemical pollution incidents via text/email — no more waiting for after-the-fact reports.
- Designate the RGV as a state “Clean Energy Zone” with tax incentives for solar, wind, and battery storage companies that hire locally.
- Launch a job training pipeline for veterans, trade school students, and displaced oil & gas workers into renewable energy installation, maintenance, and grid modernization.
- Support state grants for schools, colonias, and low-income neighborhoods to build shared solar projects that lower electric bills while creating local installer jobs.
INFRASTRUCTURE
Building Up Our Infrastructure: The Valley is growing and we need to be sure that as we build out, we are smart and efficient about it. This includes facing and dealing with the realities of our geographical area.
- Expand broadband infrastructure grants to colonias so families can access education, telehealth, and work opportunities.
- Fund pilot programs for sensors, AI flood prediction, and automated pump systems to give real-time flood control during hurricanes or extreme storms.
- Create a permanent state fund (like the Texas Water Development Fund, but drainage-focused) that counties and cities can tap for stormwater, levee, and pump projects.
- Provide support funding for residents in flood zones to elevate homes, install backflow preventers, and build rainwater retention systems.
IMMIGRATION
Strong but Humane Borders: Instead of wasting billions on walls and political stunts, Texas should invest in workers, families, and ports of entry that actually strengthen our communities.
- Repealing SB 4 “Show Me Your Papers” would protect community trust, stop racial profiling, and keep local law enforcement focused on real safety instead of federal immigration politics.
- Defend and allow Texas’s landmark law allowing undocumented Texas students (DREAMers) to pay in-state tuition at public universities.
- End the costly and cruel “Operation Lonestar”.
- Create a state certification program recognizing immigrants in critical industries (agriculture, health care, construction, caregiving) that connects them with workforce training and licensing support.
- Fund joint task forces between DPS, local law enforcement, and federal agencies that use data analytics, license plate readers, and surveillance drones to track organized smuggling operations - rather than targeting families and workers.
- Deploy advanced detection for fentanyl and synthetic opioids at ports of entry, where the vast majority of drugs are trafficked, instead of wasting money on rural border wall segments.
- Invest state dollars (matched with federal funds) in non-intrusive inspection technology (X-rays, AI cargo scanners, biometric verification) at ports like Pharr, Donna, and Progreso to speed up crossings while detecting contraband.
VOTING RIGHTS & DEMOCRACY
Voting is a right that was enshrined by our founding fathers. Any attempts to limit or prevent voting from any community should be stopped. We should be making it easier for Texans to be able to vote — not put up barriers.
- Modernize voter registration so eligible Texans are automatically registered at DPS or other state agencies, with the option to update on Election Day.
- Require counties to offer nights and weekends for early voting, especially in high-growth, working-class areas like Hidalgo County.
- Establish an independent redistricting commission so politicians can’t rig districts to protect themselves at the expense of communities like the Valley.
- Support programs in schools, libraries, and nonprofits that teach the mechanics of voting, civic duty, and local government involvement.
— Enrique Holguin's campaign website (March 7, 2026)
2022
Enrique Holguin did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
2020
Enrique Holguin did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
See also
2026 Elections
External links
Footnotes
Federal courts:
Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: Eastern District of Texas, Western District of Texas, Northern District of Texas, Southern District of Texas
State courts:
Texas Supreme Court • Texas Court of Appeals • Texas Court of Criminal Appeals • Texas District Courts • Texas County Courts • Texas County Courts at Law • Texas Statutory Probate Courts • Texas Justice of the Peace Courts
State resources:
Courts in Texas • Texas judicial elections • Judicial selection in Texas
