Gubernatorial Candidate Bobby Cole Held Meet-and-Greet in Del Rio

Bobby Cole’s campaign held a public meet-and-greet Wednesday at Roliz Bakery & Coffee in downtown Del Rio, a two-hour event co-hosted by the United Democrats of Val Verde County. The appearance, scheduled from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., included Bruno Lozano, the former Del Rio mayor and a candidate for Val Verde County Judge, as a special guest.

The event provided a direct forum for local residents to engage with a statewide campaign on issues the campaign highlighted as priorities: affordability, public safety, and support for schools. Organizers framed the visit as an opportunity for voters to speak with campaign staff and the candidate about how state-level policy choices might affect everyday costs, community safety, and local education funding.

For Del Rio and the wider Val Verde County community, the visit served multiple political and civic functions. It brought a gubernatorial campaign into a rural border county where in-person events are relatively scarce, signaling attention to voters outside major metropolitan areas. The presence of a locally known figure running for county judge added a visible link between state and county contests, potentially boosting turnout among Democratic voters and focusing attention on how county-level leadership and state policy intersect.

Institutionally, the event illustrated coordination between a statewide campaign and the local party apparatus. The United Democrats of Val Verde County’s role in co-hosting reflects ongoing grassroots organizing on the ground, which can shape outreach strategies, volunteer mobilization, and voter contact efforts in advance of primary and general election seasons. For candidates like Lozano, association with a gubernatorial visitor can raise profile and create opportunities to frame county priorities in a broader policy conversation.

Policy implications from the exchange will depend on follow-through from campaigns and local officials. Conversations about affordability and school support tie into funding decisions at the state level, while public safety discussions often intersect with county and municipal responsibilities. Residents who engaged at the event had the chance to place local concerns directly in front of a candidate seeking statewide office.

Wednesday’s meet-and-greet underscored the importance of retail-style campaigning in Val Verde County and highlighted how state and local campaigns are linking agendas. With the 2026 election year underway, such visits are likely to recur as candidates seek to build name recognition and persuade voters across Texas communities.