Juan M. Escobar
Kleberg County Judge
In office
1/1/2011–12/31/14

Juan M. Escobar is a former county judge and State Representative in Texas.

Early life and education

Early in his life, Escobar was a migrant worker. Escobar attended Roma High School, where he was a Texas All-State Class AA first team selection in basketball, competed in the 440 at the Texas Class AA State final, and served as Student Council President during his senior year.[1]

Military service

Escobar served with the 1st Marine Division in Vietnam where he was wounded in action in 1970. He rose to the rank of Sergeant and was assigned to United States Marine Barracks 8th & I in Washington, D.C. where he was a pall bearer for Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Harry S. Truman.[2] He ended his duties as a Marine and was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps Reserve where he served as a Platoon Sergeant with a Reco Unit.

He began his career with United States Border Patrol in 1978 and was the "Patrol Agent in Charge" at the Sarita checkpoint for several years. His exceptional service with the Border Patrol led to his promotion to Senior Special Agent with the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. He retired from the Department of Homeland Security in 2003.[3]

Political career

Escobar was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in a special election to replace the late Irma Rangel in May 2003. He served in that capacity until January 2009. He served as Vice Chair of the Defense Affairs—State Federal Relations, Criminal Jurisprudence, House Administration, Border and Intergovernmental Affairs and Land and Resource Management.[4]

In 2008 he was defeated by fellow Democrat Tara Rios Ybarra 53.74% to his 46.25% in a higher than average turnout election.[5]

In 2010 he was elected as Kleberg County Judge, and served until December 2014.

Personal life

Escobar lives in Kingsville, Texas with his wife of 43 years, Maria del Rosario (Rosie). He is a lay minister and former administrator for St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Kingsville. He serves as a Major in the Civil Air Patrol.

His children are Yvonne Yvette and Eduardo Eden, daughter in law Marleena and two grandsons Branden Luke and Jacob Dylan.

References

  1. ↑ Cantu, Gloria-Bigger, "County judge-elect says leadership key to success" Archived 18 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine Kingsville Record and Bishop News, 28 April 2010, Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  2. ↑ Ibid. Archived 18 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ↑ Ibid. Archived 18 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ Legislative Reference Library of Texas Retrieved 8 June 2011
  5. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on January 9, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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