Manuel Rodriguez (Socorro Independent School District, Texas)
From Ballotpedia
Manuel Rodriguez (also known as Manny) is a member of the Socorro Independent School District school board in Texas, representing District 5. He assumed office on May 15, 2025. His current term ends in 2029.
Rodriguez ran for election to the Socorro Independent School District school board to represent District 5 in Texas. He won in the general election on May 3, 2025.
Rodriguez completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Manuel Rodriguez was born in El Paso, Texas. He earned a high school diploma from Eastlake High School and a bachelor's degree from St. Mary's University in 2021. His career experience includes working in government affairs. Rodriguez has been affiliated with the El Paso Chamber.[1]
Elections
2025
See also: Socorro Independent School District, Texas, elections (2025)
General election
General election for Socorro Independent School District, District 5
Manuel Rodriguez defeated Cindy Hernandez and Gary Gandara in the general election for Socorro Independent School District, District 5 on May 3, 2025.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Manuel Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)  | 50.0 | 630 |
| Cindy Hernandez (Nonpartisan) | 31.1 | 392 | ||
 | Gary Gandara (Nonpartisan) | 19.0 | 239 | |
| Total votes: 1,261 | |||
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Endorsements
Rodriguez received the following endorsements.
Campaign themes
2025
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Manuel Rodriguez completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Rodriguez's responses.
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I’m a lifelong advocate for public education, a first-generation college graduate, and a dedicated community leader. I’ve worked at the local, state, and federal levels to advance policies that support students, educators, and working families. I come from a mixed-status, working-class household in Sparks, so I know firsthand how much public schools matter. I’m running to ensure every SISD student has the opportunity to succeed—just like I did.
- Fiscal Responsibility: I’m committed to doing my part to balance the district’s budget without sacrificing the quality of education or laying off essential staff.
- Competing with Charter and Private Schools: I’ll work to make SISD the top choice for families by strengthening academic programs, fine arts, and student support services.
- Prioritizing Our Workforce: I’ll advocate for better working conditions, fair compensation, and respect for the educators and staff who keep our schools running.
I’m passionate about public education, economic equity, and immigrant justice. I believe that strong public schools are the foundation of thriving communities, and I’m committed to policies that support students, educators, and working families. I’m also deeply invested in expanding opportunity for historically underserved communities, including those—like mine—that have been shaped by mixed-status and immigrant experiences.
Yes — I often point to "Pedagogy of the Oppressed" by Paulo Freire as a foundational text that reflects my political philosophy. It speaks to the importance of empowering marginalized communities through education, critical thinking, and collective action. I believe in leadership that listens, uplifts, and builds systems that work for everyone—especially those historically left out of the conversation.
I believe the most important qualities for an elected official are integrity, transparency, and accountability. Leaders must be honest with the public, open about their decision-making, and willing to listen—even when it’s uncomfortable. An elected official should lead with humility, put people over politics, and never lose sight of who they serve.
My strongest qualities include integrity, transparency, collaboration, and a deep commitment to community engagement. As a former student and lifelong resident of the district, I bring genuine empathy and firsthand understanding of student and family experiences. My professional background in government affairs has equipped me to navigate complex policy issues effectively, advocate strongly, and build consensus—qualities that will enable me to lead successfully and restore trust in our district.
The core responsibilities of a school board trustee are to ensure that every decision made puts students first, supports educators and staff, and reflects the values of the community. Trustees must provide fiscal oversight, set clear policy direction, and hold district leadership accountable. Above all, they must be accessible, transparent, and committed to advancing equity and excellence across every campus.
I want my legacy to be one of trust, transparency, and genuine community partnership. I'd like to be remembered for rebuilding public confidence in our district by empowering families, elevating student voices, and ensuring decisions are always made ethically, equitably, and with the community’s best interests at heart.
The election of President Barack Obama in 2008. A the time, I was 8 years old.
My first job was working as a teller for banks throughout college. I had the job for about three years.
My favorite book is The Spirit of Democracy: The Struggle to Build Free Societies Throughout the World by Larry Diamond. It resonates deeply with me because it highlights the power of democratic values like transparency, inclusion, and accountability—principles that shape my own approach to leadership. The book inspires me by illustrating the universal pursuit of freedom and justice, reminding me of the importance of public service rooted in integrity and community empowerment.
The Flash from the Marvel Comics
LoveDrug by LadyGaga
The primary job of a school board member is to represent the community’s voice in shaping the direction of the school district. That means setting clear policies, ensuring responsible budgeting, supporting student achievement, and holding district leadership accountable. Above all, it’s about making decisions that put students first while advocating for educators, families, and the long-term success of our public schools.
The residents of SISD's District 5
I would support the diverse needs of our district by actively listening, engaging, and advocating for inclusive policies that reflect the lived experiences of our students, faculty, staff, and families. That means ensuring culturally responsive curricula, equitable funding across campuses, language access for families, and safe, supportive environments for all—regardless of background, identity, or ability. Our diversity is our strength, and our policies should reflect that every step of the way.
I’ve already built strong relationships across our community through years of advocacy and public service, but I’m committed to expanding that network even further. I plan to engage directly with parents, educators, neighborhood associations, and student groups, while also targeting the private sector to explore public-private partnerships that benefit our schools. Collaboration with local businesses, nonprofits, and civic organizations will be key to creating more opportunities for SISD students and staff.
My ideal learning environment is one where every student feels safe, supported, and inspired to succeed. It’s a place where classrooms are inclusive, culturally responsive, and staffed by well-supported educators. Students should have access to strong academics, the arts, career and technical pathways, and mental health resources. Most importantly, they should feel seen, heard, and empowered—regardless of their background or learning style.
I’d like to see SISD expand its curriculum in ways that prepare students for both college and careers. That means growing access to advanced technical training, dual credit programs, and apprenticeships in high-demand fields. I’d also advocate for innovative programming in areas like renewable energy, healthcare, and the creative arts. Every student should graduate with real-world skills, confidence, and a clear path forward—whether that’s college, career, or service.
To ensure our schools are properly funded, I would focus on advocacy at the state level to push for a more equitable and adequate school finance system. Texas must increase its share of public education funding so that local districts aren’t forced to bear the burden alone. I’d also support campaigns to boost student attendance, which directly impacts funding, and explore partnerships and grant opportunities that bring additional resources into our schools without compromising our values.
My school safety policies prioritize prevention through proactive mental health support, anti-bullying efforts, and a positive school climate, supported by strong collaboration among students, families, educators, law enforcement, and community leaders. I believe in transparency and clear communication to keep families informed and confident in our approach. Continuous training and preparedness are essential to equip our students and staff for emergencies. Finally, I emphasize equity and fairness, ensuring policies foster inclusivity, restorative practices, and a safe, supportive environment for all students.
I would advocate for increased access to counselors and mental health professionals, provide training for faculty to identify mental health concerns early, promote wellness programs to reduce stigma, and foster inclusive environments that encourage open dialogue and support for all students, faculty, and staff.
I'd like to strengthen our district's transparency policies to ensure families have greater access to decision-making processes and clearer communication. Additionally, I would advocate for new policies emphasizing enhanced mental health resources, expanded vocational and career-focused training programs, and stronger community partnerships to support students' overall success and preparedness beyond graduation.
Congresswoman Veronica Escobar, The Socorro Education Association, and Run for Something
Our district handled the coronavirus pandemic well by quickly adapting to remote learning, prioritizing student and staff safety, and maintaining transparent communication with families. Moving forward, I'd build on that success by enhancing technology resources to ensure equitable access for all students, strengthening mental health support services to address long-term impacts, and formalizing crisis-response protocols to further streamline future responses.
To build strong relationships with parents, I plan to be consistently present, accessible, and responsive. That means holding regular community meetings, visiting campuses, and creating open lines of communication where parents feel heard and respected. I’ll work to ensure parents have a real voice in decisions that impact their children—because when families are engaged, our schools and students succeed.
My preferred strategies focus on attracting and retaining talent by creating a supportive, competitive, and mission-driven work environment. That includes offering fair compensation, opportunities for professional growth, and a strong culture of respect and collaboration. I also believe in expanding local talent pipelines—partnering with universities and alternative certification programs—and making SISD a place where faculty and staff feel valued and proud to work.
I believe financial transparency and government accountability are non-negotiable. Taxpayers and families deserve to know how every dollar is spent and why decisions are made. In a district facing serious financial challenges, restoring public trust starts with honest communication, accessible reporting, and clear checks and balances. Accountability isn’t just good governance—it’s a responsibility to the people we serve.
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.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
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Candidate Socorro Independent School District, District 5 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on March 31, 2025
