Attorney Rick Salinas finished as the top vote-getter in the six-candidate race for mayor of Mission. With 100 percent of precincts reporting, Salinas received 7,477 votes, or 34.81 percent. Incumbent Mayor Norie Gonzalez Garza finished second with 5,233 votes, or 24.36 percent.

The remaining candidates were:

• Ruben Plata — 3,702 votes (17.24%)
• Armando Ocaña — 2,445 votes (11.38%)
• Natalie Garza — 2,341 votes (10.90%)
• Juan Gines — 280 votes (1.30%)

Because no candidate received a majority, —50 percent plus one vote required to win outright— the race will be decided in a runoff election on Saturday, December 12. Early voting for the runoff runs from November 30 through December 8.

Rick Salinas has received the endorsement of the Mission Professional Law Enforcement Association (MPLEA) in his campaign.

“More than 75% of voters chose someone other than the current mayor. Mission is ready for a new direction and we have an opportunity to move forward together,” he said.

He also addressed the candidates who did not advance, saying, “Thank you for your passion, your commitment, and your hope for Mission. To you and your supporters, I would be honored to earn your trust and your vote.”

Salinas outlined his core message heading into the runoff: “My promise is clear: transparent leadership, responsible use of your tax dollars, and decisions that put Mission’s residents first.”

Norie Garza, the city’s first female mayor, was elected in 2022. She previously served on the Mission City Council and as mayor pro tem. During the campaign, she highlighted infrastructure projects, public safety investments, and economic development as priorities of her administration.