Liza Pena
Liza Pena (Republican Party) is running for election for Webb County Treasurer in Texas. Pena is on the ballot in the general election on November 3, 2026. Pena advanced from the Republican primary on March 3, 2026.
Pena completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. Click here to read the survey answers.
Elections
2026
See also: Municipal elections in Webb County, Texas (2026)
General election
The general election will occur on November 3, 2026.
The candidate list in this election may not be complete.
General election for Webb County Treasurer
Esteban Rangel (D) and Liza Pena (R) are running in the general election for Webb County Treasurer on November 3, 2026.
Candidate | ||
 | Esteban Rangel (D) | |
 | Liza Pena (R)  | |
| ||||
| = 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 Webb County Treasurer
Esteban Rangel (D) defeated Nancy Garcia (D) in the Democratic primary for Webb County Treasurer on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Esteban Rangel | 50.4 | 12,139 |
| Nancy Garcia | 49.6 | 11,940 | ||
| Total votes: 24,079 | |||
| = 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 Webb County Treasurer
Liza Pena (R) advanced from the Republican primary for Webb County Treasurer on March 3, 2026.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Liza Pena | 100.0 | 3,719 |
| Total votes: 3,719 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Endorsements
Ballotpedia is gathering information about candidate endorsements. To send us an endorsement, click here.
Campaign themes
2026
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Liza Pena completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2026. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Pena's responses.
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- I am a first-time candidate running for Webb County Treasurer to restore transparency, strengthen accountability, and ensure disciplined financial oversight. I bring a fresh and independent perspective focused on results, not politics. My commitment is to protect taxpayer dollars through accurate reporting, strong internal controls, and responsible financial management that earns public trust.
- Webb County has been politically uniform in countywide elections for decades. My candidacy represents an opportunity to broaden civic participation and expand voter choice in local leadership. I believe public office should be open to qualified community members who are committed to transparency, ethical governance, and responsible stewardship of public funds. Competitive elections strengthen accountability and reinforce trust in local government.
- I bring advanced financial and public administration training to the Treasurer’s Office. I hold a Doctor of Business Administration with a specialization in advanced accounting and a Master of Public Administration. I am currently pursuing a Master of Accountancy on the Certified Public Accountant (CPA) track and maintain a professional payroll certification. I also serve in the Texas State Guard. My background reflects disciplined financial expertise, ethical leadership, and a serious commitment to protecting taxpayer dollars.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
Campaign website
Pena's campaign website stated the following:
MISSION STATEMENT
I’m running for Webb County Treasurer with a mission rooted in service, accountability, and real results. Webb County deserves leadership that puts people before politics and ensures every taxpayer dollar under my custody is tracked, protected, and managed with transparency, integrity, and diligence. My office will be accessible, responsive, and committed to restoring financial accountability for our community.
CORE MESSAGE / VISION
I’m not here for power — I’m here to work for Webb County.
I am not a career politician.
I am a servant of the people — not part of the club.
I show up because I care — not for a paycheck and not for a title.
I’m not for sale.
No strings attached.
You can vote for real change.
Choose leadership that moves Webb County forward — demanding accountability and delivering results.
I’m not here to play politics.
I’m here to deliver real accountability and real resultsfor Webb County.
I will lead with integrity, transparency, and a people-first mindset — because Webb County deserves nothing less.
Core Values
Accountability
I will push for audits in coordination with county auditors and provide clear, regular updates — because taxpayers deserve the truth.
Transparency
Financial information under my custody will be shared clearly and responsibly.
No kickbacks. No special favors.
I answer only to you — the voters.
Ethics
I will never accept gifts, favors, or insider deals.
Public service should mean serving the public — nothing more, nothing less.
Community-Driven Leadership
This campaign isn’t about politics.
It’s about service, honesty, and putting Webb County first — always.
— Dr. Liza Peña
What I’m Fighting For
End Waste and Fraud
I will safeguard taxpayer dollars under my custody by enforcing accountability and preventing misuse through strong financial controls.
Strengthen Financial Oversight
I will work in coordination with county auditors to monitor county accounts, oversee payroll processing, and strengthen financial reporting practices within the Treasurer’s authority.
Improve Financial Transparency
I will make county financial information easier to understand by organizing already-public data into clear summaries and reports for residents.
Restore Accountability
I will promote responsible, evidence-based financial management and ensure the Treasurer’s office applies policies consistently, professionally, and ethically.
DR. LIZA PEÑA’S PLATFORM FOR WEBB COUNTY TREASURER
Your money should never be a mystery. As County Treasurer, I will ensure:
Webb County deserves disciplined financial stewardship, transparent reporting, and lawful oversight grounded in fiduciary responsibility. As County Treasurer, I will operate strictly within statutory authority while modernizing financial practices to meet the professional standards already adopted by leading Texas local governments.
1. Full Transparency
Implementation Plan
- Organize and present already-public county financial data into clear, easy-to-understand summaries.
- Use existing county financial reports and exports to create visual summaries and trend analyses.
- Display aggregate information on vendor payments, departmental spending, payroll totals (non-confidential), and budget line items within the Treasurer’s custody.
- Use commonly accepted reporting tools to improve clarity and accessibility.
Purpose
Increase public understanding of county finances and discourage waste or favoritism through lawful transparency.
Texas & Local Government Precedent
Counties and cities across Texas already provide modern financial transparency tools, including searchable check registers and public dashboards. Examples include:
- Travis County
- Collin County
- Harris County
- Tarrant County
- City of Austin
- City of Fort Worth
Webb County can implement similar transparency practices within the Treasurer’s statutory authority.
Timeline
Begin within 30 days of taking office.
Initial public summaries available within 60–90 days.
Legal Authority
Texas Local Government Code §114
Texas Public Information Act (Government Code Chapter 552)
2. 100-Day Financial Review & Accountability
Implementation Plan
- Coordinate with the County Auditor to review financial activity within the Treasurer’s custody.
- Examine check registers and vendor payment activity processed through the Treasurer’s office.
- Identify high-risk payment patterns or unusual financial trends.
- Publish plain-language summary reports to improve public understanding.
Purpose
Establish a clear baseline for fiscal accountability within the Treasurer’s statutory role and identify risks before they escalate.
Texas City Precedent
Cities such as Austin, Fort Worth, and Midlothian maintain structured financial reporting portals and public transparency systems. Structured financial review and accessible reporting are standard components of modern Texas local governance.
Timeline
Day 1 through Day 100.
Legal Authority
Texas Local Government Code §§114.003–114.004
3. Protecting Taxpayer Money
Implementation Plan
- Enforce strong internal controls, including dual authorization and regular reconciliations.
- Ensure proper segregation of duties within Treasurer-controlled financial processes.
- Track funds using established county financial systems and reporting tools.
- Conduct routine internal process reviews to reduce financial risk.
Purpose
Prevent fraud, errors, and waste within Treasurer operations before problems occur.
Texas Governance Standards
Major Texas cities such as Austin, Fort Worth, and Houston maintain formal internal control frameworks and financial oversight systems designed to safeguard public funds. Strong internal controls are standard best practice in responsible local government.
Timeline
Begin immediately.
Fully implemented within six months.
Legal Authority
Texas Local Government Code §§113–115
4. Serve the People — Not Politics
Implementation Plan
- Make independent, data-driven financial decisions grounded in law and within the Treasurer’s legal authority.
- Maintain open communication and clear reporting practices.
- Uphold fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers above political pressure.
Purpose
Ensure the Treasurer’s office serves residents — not political agendas.
Professional Governance Precedent
Cities such as Austin, Fort Worth, and San Antonio operate under governance and ethics frameworks that separate financial stewardship from political influence. Webb County deserves the same professional standard.
Timeline
Ongoing throughout the term.
Legal Authority
Texas Constitution, Article V
Texas Local Government Code §114
5. Countywide Financial Oversight
Implementation Plan
- Monitor all county bank and investment accounts under the Treasurer’s custody.
- Track transactions for accuracy in coordination with the County Auditor and established county controls.
- Oversee vendor payment processing conducted through the Treasurer’s office.
- Maintain accurate cash management records and reconciliations.
Purpose
Maintain transparency, reduce financial risk, and ensure accuracy within statutory authority.
Oversight Standards in Texas Cities
Major Texas cities including Austin, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio maintain structured treasury oversight and financial monitoring systems to safeguard public funds. Webb County should meet the same professional standard.
Timeline
Begin immediately.
Full account inventory within 120 days.
Legal Authority
Texas Local Government Code §113.022
6. Payroll Accuracy & Compliance
Implementation Plan
- Oversee county payroll processing as assigned by county structure and policy.
- Verify deductions for taxes, retirement, insurance, child support, and court-ordered payments.
- Ensure accuracy and compliance using established county payroll systems.
- Conduct periodic payroll process reviews to reduce errors.
Purpose
Protect county employees, prevent payroll errors, and maintain full legal compliance.
Payroll Standards in Texas Cities
Cities such as Austin, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio maintain structured payroll oversight systems with compliance safeguards. Accurate and timely payroll is a foundational component of responsible financial management.
Timeline
Immediate oversight.
Full payroll system review within 60 days.
Legal Authority
Texas Local Government Code §§113–115
Applicable federal and state payroll laws
7. Investments & Risk Management
Implementation Plan
- Monitor county cash and investments under Treasurer oversight.
- Invest only in legally approved instruments under the Public Funds Investment Act (PFIA).
- Maintain compliance with formal investment policy requirements.
- Provide regular compliance and performance summaries.
Purpose
Protect principal while responsibly managing public funds, prioritizing safety, liquidity, and lawful return.
Investment Oversight in Texas Cities
Major Texas cities including Austin, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio operate under formal investment policies aligned with the Public Funds Investment Act. Conservative investment strategies and statutory compliance are standard practices in responsible local government.
Timeline
Immediate oversight with ongoing quarterly reviews.
Legal Authority
Texas Government Code Chapter 2256
(Public Funds Investment Act)
8. My Promise
Implementation Plan
Apply these standards consistently throughout my term with professionalism, fiduciary responsibility, and strict adherence to statutory authority.
Purpose
Ensure Webb County funds are transparent, protected, and professionally managed.
Governance Standards in Texas Cities
Leading Texas cities operate under formal financial governance structures that safeguard public funds and reinforce public trust. These standards commonly include:
- PFIA-compliant adopted investment policies
- Independent Internal Audit functions
- Audit or Finance Committees overseeing financial reporting
- Publicly issued Annual Comprehensive Financial Reports (ACFRs)
- Formal ethics and conflict-of-interest policies
- Documented internal control frameworks aligned with Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) best practices
- Fraud prevention and whistleblower protections
Cities such as Austin, Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio publicly publish these policies and financial reports, demonstrating disciplined fiduciary oversight and statutory compliance.
Webb County deserves the same structured governance, professional safeguards, and commitment to financial accountability — within the Treasurer’s legal authority.
Timeline
From Day One and throughout the term.
Legal Authority
Texas Constitution
Texas Local Government Code §114
My Commitment to Webb County
As your County Treasurer, I will track every dollar under my custody, strengthen internal controls, protect taxpayer funds, ensure payroll accuracy, manage investments responsibly, and make county finances as transparent as the law allows — because this office works for the people, not politics.
— Liza Pena's campaign website (March 14, 2026)
See also
2026 Elections
External links
|
Candidate Webb County Treasurer |
Footnotes
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State of Texas Austin (capital) |
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