Guerra vs. Guerra: Why one candidate lost his nickname in Dist. 41 race

MCALLEN, Texas ( ValleyCentral ) — The race for state representative for District 41 covers parts of Mission, McAllen and Pharr and Edinburg and it is a battle of surnames.

The race is between Republican Challenger John Robert Guerra and Bobby Guerra, the Democratic incumbent. Both candidates have similar names and although in past races John Robert was able to use his nickname “Doc” to avoid confusion, he was not allowed to this time.

John Robert used the nickname “Doc” on the ballot for district 41 during the 2020 and 2022 elections. This November, the Texas Secretary of State’s Office is not allowing him to use his nickname, and he was caught off guard.

“As a candidate, it hits me right in the knees,” John Robert Guerra said. “It knocks me down, because so many people know me as doc, and have seen me on the ballots before, with the doc being there, and so they just anticipate that they don’t have to go and look for republican democrat or anything.”

In a statement, Hidalgo County Elections Department Administrator Hilda Salinas said, “The Texas Election Code states a contraction or familiar form of a given name by which the candidate is known can be used. The law also states that a title or designation of office, status, or position may not be used with the candidate’s name on the ballot.”

John Robert Guerra said he has spoken with Salinas about the issue.

“She was very nice, and I’ll be willing to say that, but to be told at the very last minute was very inappropriate,” the candidate said. “That’s what I felt, and that’s why the transparency or the clarity is the wrong thing and and that’s what people are in all elections, wanting the clarity, the transparency, the truth of what is really going on out there. And so this only alludes to conspiracies.”

The Texas Election Code does allow candidates with similar surnames to choose a “brief distinguishing description or title” next to their names. However, the code also prohibits the use of “a title or designation of office, status, or position” on a candidate’s name.

John Robert Guerra says the secretary of state’s office told him that he does not have to remove any signs that might use his “Doc” nickname as the rule only impacts the ballot.

He also adds that he might seek legal action about the change after this election cycle.

However, his political opponent and incumbent District 41 State Representative Bobby Guerra says he does not worry too much about the issue and does not believe any voters will be confused at the polls.

“My first election I was concerned about that but after that election, then I realize that people know the difference,” Bobby Guerra said. “A lot of the voters know who I am and like I say, I have been here a long time and so with all the due respect to him, I believe the people know the difference between us.”

Bobby Guerra has been in office 2012 and re-elected seven times.

A representative from the Texas Secretary of State also reached out tonight and said that the 2024 candidate’s guide says some examples of prohibited titles for candidates are commander, doctor, pastor and coach.

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