Joe G. Hinojosa Long-time Kingsville native Joe G. Hinojosa has announced his candidacy for Kleberg County Commissioner for Precinct 2 in the March 2010 Democratic Party Primary.

Hinojosa was elected full-time Precinct 2 Kleberg County Commissioner in 2002. In his four year term, he helped secure a $2.1 million grant for much needed improvements at the county airport, and the county’s share was only 10 percent. Hinojosa helped Kingsville and Kleberg County receive an economical boost by bringing in Lowe’s, Paulson Falls subdivision south of Kingsville, the largest Circle K store in the county was built in Riviera, and with many other businesses helping Kingsville and the county prosper. During his 2002-2006 term, no taxes were raised and county employees received pay raises.

“I know the needs and concerns of Kleberg County very well,” Hinojosa stated. “I plan to work hard to help get the county in much better shape than before.”

“I’ve already gone door- to-door visiting with people,” Hinojosa said. “So far I have received good feedback and have been well received by the citizens.”

“I will stress to the public what I stressed during my 2002- 2006 term that I will be a full-time commissioner and will be available to the people and my constituents,” Hinojosa stated. “In my previous term, I kept the promise of being a full-time commissioner and plan to keep that promise again.”

Hinojosa graduated from H.M. King High School in 1968. He attended and graduated from Texas A&I University in 1971 with a Bachelor of Science degree in secondary education specializing in the teaching fields of Spanish and history.

In May of 1979, he received a master’s degree from Texas A&I University. He also received his elementary education certificate, counseling certificate, and mid-management certificate.

Hinojosa retired from KISD with 29 years of teaching experience including two years as a high school counselor.

After serving in the Air Force for four years, Hinojosa taught college level night classes at Georgia Military and Park College at Naval Air Station Kingsville. Subjects taught included psychology, world history, and American history.

He went through and completed the law enforcement program offered at Bee County College, now Coastal Bend College.

Hinojosa has been a member of the following professional organizations: Texas State Teachers Association, Texas Classroom Teachers Association, National Education Agency, and Texas Federation of Teachers. He is currently a member of the Texas State Teachers Association for Retired Teachers and Kingsville Tri-City Retired Teachers Association.

He has been a member of St. Martin’s Knights of Columbus 2623 for 31 years. Ha has held the offices of deputy grand knight, chancellor, advocate, lecturer, and trustee. He is a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus.

Hinojosa has served on the board of the Columbus Building Association. He has been a member of St. Martin’s Mutualistas for nearly 20 years, serving as a delegate to the organization’s preconvention and convention meetings.

Hinojosa is married and has three children, all graduates of H.M. King High School and Texas A&M University Kingsville. His wife Cynthia retired from KISD in may having taught English-Language Arts for 25 years. She is currently employed with Curves of Kingsville. His son Joe, Jr., 28, is a sales representative with IBC Bank in Flour Bluff. Daughter Joanna, 27, is a speech-language pathologist working at two skilled nursing facilities in Corpus Christi, and daughter Jessica, 25, is Interim Assistant Director for Student Support Services at Texas A&M University. She is currently working on her masters degree in English at the university.

Hinojosa’s parents, long-time Kingsville Natives Fortino and Modesta (Tita) Hinojosa, are now deceased.

He and his family are active members of St. Martin’s Church. He and his three children attended and graduated from St. Martin School.

Hinojosa is a graduate of Kingsville Leadership where he learned about the history of Kingsville, its demographics, and various aspects of city and county government.

He has served as Faculty Appointed Lecturer at Texas A&M University Kingsville’s Department of Curriculum.

“I ask for the support and vote to be elected Precinct 2 Kleberg County Commissioner.” He said if he is elected he will help steer the county in the right direction. That’s a promise he will keep.