The Ice Cream Social hosted by the DeWitt/Lavaca Democratic Women Friday, Oct 2, opened with a warm welcome to a room filled with civic leaders, elected officials, and engaged residents. Before introducing the candidates, Dr. Cynthia E. Orozco — Cuero native, award‑winning author, and National LULAC Historian — acknowledged the dignitaries present. Among them were DeWitt County Democratic Chairman Joe Sheppard, Democratic Women President Melissa Gaspar, Lavaca County Democratic Chairperson Marilyn Thibodeaux, and Cuero City Councilman Terry Glover. Also in attendance were members of the Cuero ISD School Board, the Cuero Hospital Board, and numerous civic‑minded residents whose presence underscored the community’s commitment to public service and local governance.

Held Friday evening at the Cuero Park Clubhouse, the Ice Cream Social drew a lively crowd eager to meet local and regional candidates in a relaxed, family‑friendly setting. The event blended neighborly conversation with grassroots political engagement, offering free ice cream alongside opportunities for residents to discuss issues directly with those seeking public office. Tables decorated in red, white, and blue set the tone for a welcoming civic gathering as attendees filtered in, signed in at the registration table, visited candidate booths, and picked up informational materials. Volunteers kept the atmosphere warm and organized, ensuring everyone felt included.

After recognizing local leadership, Dr. Orozco introduced the evening’s candidates, each bringing a distinct perspective on issues affecting DeWitt and Lavaca Counties. The first candidate called was:

Crystal Sedillo, the Democratic nominee for Texas House District 30, is a lifelong Texan from Wharton and Matagorda Counties with a communication degree from Texas A&M University–Victoria. Her background in education shaped her commitment to fully funded public schools, rural healthcare access, and economic fairness for working families. Sedillo has also worked on community projects to protect local environmental resources, preserve African American history, and expand free programs for children. She is challenging incumbent A.J. Louderback in a district spanning Matagorda, Jackson, Victoria, Lavaca, Goliad, and DeWitt Counties, making grassroots engagement central to her campaign.

Pat Trevino, the Write‑In Candidate for DeWitt County Judge, was invited to speak — a notable inclusion, as write‑in candidates are often left out of public forums. She spoke about her long‑standing ties to the region, noting she was born in Victoria and that both of her parents were born in DeWitt County. Her family has lived in the area since the early 1900s, a history she said guides her commitment to public service.

Trevino summarized her experience in government operations, including financial compliance, auditing, and coordination among multiple agencies. She emphasized that the County Judge role is largely administrative — with only about ten percent judicial duties — and said her background aligns with those responsibilities.

She also highlighted her emergency management work during the COVID‑19 pandemic, when she helped operate high‑volume testing sites that processed between 1,000 and 3,000 people a day. Trevino said the responsibility demanded decisive leadership, rapid problem‑solving, and coordination across multiple agencies as sites were established from Dallas to South Texas. She noted that she was responsible for directing her team, managing logistics, and overseeing the budget — work carried out under intense, fast‑moving conditions.

To illustrate her values, Trevino shared a personal story involving a 14‑year‑old boy, a friend of her grandson, who was visiting her home. When officers arrived wanting to question him about a nearby robbery, she told them she understood their job but would not allow them to question a minor without his parents present. She said she was simply protecting his constitutional rights.

Trevino added that standing up for what is right has been a constant in her life. While living in Tennessee, she became a whistleblower at a university after discovering wrongdoing. She said she refused both a higher‑paying job and later a financial offer because, as she told attendees, “It wasn’t about the money. I simply wanted them to fix the problem and do what was right.”

Erica Gillium, candidate for the Texas Legislature, presented a platform centered on strengthening rural schools, protecting local control, and expanding access to healthcare. A longtime advocate for public education and community services, Gillium emphasizes the need for fully funded rural school districts, improved mental‑health resources, and policies that allow counties and cities to govern without state interference. Through her campaign outreach — including community forums, school visits, and updates shared on her public Facebook page — Gillium highlights issues such as rural teacher retention, infrastructure needs, and safeguarding local authority. She is challenging incumbent Lois Kolkhorst, whose recent votes on vouchers and state preemption have become key contrasts in the race.

Clayton Tucker’s opponent in the race for the Texas Senate is Republican Nate Sheets. Tucker centers his campaign on strengthening rural economies, protecting Texas agriculture, and expanding access to healthcare. A longtime advocate for rural communities, Tucker emphasizes the need to support family ranchers, invest in local infrastructure, and ensure rural hospitals remain open and fully staffed. His outreach — reflected in updates on his campaign website and public Facebook page — highlights issues such as rising costs for working families, the strain on rural healthcare systems, and the importance of keeping Texas agricultural standards strong amid global competition. Tucker contrasts his priorities with those of his opponent, who has supported incentives for large data‑center developments and policies that increase reliance on imported beef. His campaign stresses that rural Texans deserve representation focused on local jobs, food safety, and long‑term economic stability.

Bobby Pulido, candidate for U.S. Congress, returned to Cuero for the second time this year, noting that his great‑grandmother was from the Yorktown area and that South Texas has long been part of his family’s roots. Pulido’s campaign centers on expanding economic opportunity, improving access to healthcare, and advancing humane, practical immigration reform for South Texas families. His public outreach highlights support for small businesses, investment in rural infrastructure, and policies that strengthen working families.

Pulido contrasts his priorities with those of incumbent Monica De La Cruz, focusing particularly on her record on immigration enforcement. According to campaign literature distributed at his table during the event, Pulido’s campaign criticizes De La Cruz for supporting sharply increased ICE funding, arguing that expanded enforcement has harmed families and disrupted communities across South Texas. The flyer states that De La Cruz voted to make ICE the highest‑funded federal law‑enforcement agency in the country, and that the resulting expansion has led to the detention of hardworking Texans rather than the targeting of criminals. Pulido’s campaign argues that these policies have separated families, destabilized local labor forces, and contributed to economic strain in industries that rely on essential workers.

Pulido points specifically to De La Cruz’s vote on HR 1, Vote 190 (July 3, 2025) — a measure that his campaign says increased ICE appropriations by as much as $100 billion — as evidence of policies he believes are damaging to South Texas communities.

As the program concluded, conversations continued throughout the clubhouse, with residents, candidates, and local leaders exchanging perspectives on the issues raised throughout the evening. The Ice Cream Social ultimately offered more than refreshments — it created a space for open dialogue, thoughtful discussion, and genuine community connection. Events like this help residents stay informed and engaged as Election Day approaches. Readers should confirm election information with trusted official sources.