By Michelle Seeber
Daniel Guzman wants to bring new businesses to Muleshoe and continue to see the community progress while Richard Orozco wants more of a sense of community in Muleshoe and to better the road system.
They are the final candidates in a runoff election for city councilman, District 1, which tentatively has been set for March 6.
City Manager David Brunson said the seat recently opened when Juan Chavez resigned to run for Precinct 4 of the Bailey County Commission.
Because Chavez is in the final year of his term, the runoff election winner must run again for a full term in May.
Guzman and Orozco were chosen as final runoff election candidates Saturday in a special election held at City Hall in Muleshoe.
Brunson said 63 votes were cast with Guzman getting 27 and Orozco 21. The runoff election and early voting times will be made official at the city council meeting on Feb. 17.
Orozco said he was disappointed yet surprised in the special election results.
“I was disappointed in the lack of voters,” he said. “Some people are scared about who to vote for. I think that was the problem.”
He said he ran for city councilman at the urging of his constituency in Precinct 1, District 1.
“I won’t know until I get into office what I can accomplish,” he said. “I know I want better roads in District 1 and throughout the city.”
Orozco said his membership with organizations gives him the experience needed for the office.
He is vice president of Friends of the Library and president of the Muleshoe Fine Arts Booster, he said
He has served as a baseball representative for the Muleshoe Little League in the past.
Guzman has owned Daniel Guzman Trucking since 1993.
He said he has the background required for the city council seat, having served as a state bank examiner from 1978 to 1987.
He also operated a farming business for a few years, he said.
“I feel like I can serve the people in District 1,” he said. “I feel everybody should donate their time in the area in which they live, and I feel like I can contribute to Muleshoe and continue the growth of our community.”
Guzman lives in Precinct 1, District 2.
Both Guzman and Orozco said they want to see a bigger voter turnout in the runoff election.
“I encourage everybody to vote,” Orozco said. “Because that’s the voice.”
