For Sale: City Hall?

Editorial: The Hidden Dangers

of Electing a Broker as Mayor

EAGLE PASS, TX — Over the past several years, Eagle Pass has witnessed a sharp rise in real estate prices. With the arrival of major state and federal operations, border-related investments, and a growing interest in local development, property values have soared—transforming once-affordable neighborhoods into lucrative markets for investors and brokers alike.

While economic growth can be a blessing, it also opens the door to manipulation—and few are better positioned to capitalize on such trends than real estate professionals with political power. That’s why the candidacy of Monica J. Cruz, a real estate broker and former city councilwoman, raises serious concerns about the future of our city.

The Eagle Pass Real Estate Boom

Data and anecdotal evidence point to a dramatic increase in property values and rental prices across Eagle Pass. With infrastructure upgrades, business expansion, and more attention from state agencies, demand has surged. What was once an affordable community for working families is now facing a growing affordability crisis.

To put this into perspective, a modest three-bedroom, two-bath home in Eagle Pass—with no fancy upgrades—now routinely sells for upwards of $300,000. That’s a staggering figure for a city where wages have not kept pace with rising living costs.

Even more striking is the comparison to larger cities: in San Antonio—just two hours away—buyers can often find a significantly larger, upgraded home for the same price or less. In other words, families are paying premium-city prices in Eagle Pass without the benefits that come with a metro lifestyle.

This disparity highlights a troubling reality: Eagle Pass is becoming unaffordable for its own residents, even as the quality of life remains stagnant compared to urban centers. Yet those who benefit from the inflation—like real estate brokers—are thriving.

In the middle of this boom stands Monica Cruz—a broker by trade, a politician by ambition. As a former councilwoman and now a candidate for mayor, Cruz presents a unique ethical challenge: Can someone deeply embedded in the local real estate industry fairly govern a city that is struggling with the consequences of that very industry’s explosion?

Ethics Violations Speak Loudly

Cruz’s history in public office already reveals troubling patterns. During her time as a sitting councilwoman, she violated the City of Eagle Pass Ethics Policy by simultaneously working as the Maverick County Planner—a role that created clear conflicts of interest between city and county operations.

This unethical dual employment was a red flag that Cruz is willing to disregard rules and ethical boundaries when it suits her financial interests. The message is clear: Monica Cruz will do anything for profit—even if it means compromising public trust.

If this behavior occurred while she held just one seat on city council, what could happen if she held the highest office in City Hall?

Knowledge Is Power—and Profit

A mayor has direct access to zoning changes, upcoming developments, infrastructure plans, and budget priorities. This type of privileged information can easily be used to influence property values or direct investment toward specific areas—potentially benefiting a real estate broker’s bottom line.

Imagine knowing in advance which street will get repaved, which neighborhood will be rezoned for commercial use, or where the next city park or highway extension will go. Now imagine that information being used not to serve the public—but to secure listings, flip properties, or steer clients toward profitable deals.

These aren’t hypotheticals. This is the real concern when a real estate broker like Monica Cruz seeks to become the next mayor of Eagle Pass.

An Unfair Market Advantage

The threat isn’t just to public trust—it’s also to fair competition in the local real estate market. As a sitting mayor and active broker, Cruz could create an environment where her office gains unfair access to city resources, leads, or decisions that independent realtors do not. In effect, she could corner the market from within City Hall.

Other real estate professionals—those who work hard, play fair, and follow the rules—could find themselves competing against a mayor who controls the flow of information and policy. This undermines the integrity of the entire industry and discourages new agents or small brokerages from trying to succeed in Eagle Pass.

The appearance of favoritism alone can damage the credibility of the market, turning Eagle Pass into a place where deals are won not through merit, but through proximity to power.

Public Trust vs. Private Interest

Cruz’s dual identity as a politician and real estate broker creates a serious conflict of interest—especially in a city where development decisions are increasingly high-stakes. Who will she be representing when casting votes or influencing policy: the citizens of Eagle Pass or her clients and business interests?

It’s especially telling that despite being a sitting councilwoman, her current council colleagues—those who have worked alongside her—have not endorsed her. Instead, they have thrown their support behind mayoral candidate Aaron Valdez, a longtime public servant with no private business entanglements tied to city development.

Even outgoing Mayor Rolando Salinas, who has dealt directly with the city’s recent growth, has endorsed Valdez over Cruz. The message is clear: Eagle Pass needs a leader who puts people first—not profits.

The Risk to Eagle Pass

Under the leadership of a real estate broker-turned-mayor, there is a real risk that public office could become a platform for private enrichment. Whether it’s subtle influence over land use or behind-the-scenes connections to developers, the potential for abuse is high—and the cost would be paid by everyday families struggling to keep up with rising housing prices.

Eagle Pass deserves leadership that serves the community—not a real estate empire.

Conclusion

Eagle Pass is at a crossroads. With rapid growth comes the need for transparency, ethics, and leadership free of conflicting financial interests. Electing a real estate broker like Monica Cruz to the city’s highest office threatens to blur the lines between public service and personal gain—and may ultimately damage not just the public’s trust, but the entire real estate market itself.

The mayor’s office is not a business venture. It’s a public trust. And that trust must never be for sale.