About

From the fields of the Panhandle to the frontlines of Iraq, from the refinery floor to the union hall, and now running for Texas Land Commissioner, Jose’s main focus has always been to serve others and fight for a better future. 

Jose was born in a small town in Chihuahua, Mexico and when he was in the fifth grade, he and his family immigrated to Cactus, Texas. Looking to build a better life for them, his dad worked at the meatpacking plant, and Jose and his brothers worked on farms around the Panhandle.

While he was in high school, he worked at the meat packing plant to help his family make ends meet. He found a sense of belonging by playing football and joining the wrestling team. He was lucky to have teachers and coaches who encouraged him to work hard and keep pursuing his dreams.

After 9/11, Jose felt compelled to give back to the country that had given him and his family an opportunity to succeed. He enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and deployed twice to Iraq. He turned twenty-years-old on the first day of the invasion of Iraq. Jose became a citizen while overseas, and learned about sacrifice, discipline, and brotherhood—fighting for his fellow Marines and for all Americans back home.

After returning to the Panhandle, he started a family with his wife Diana and got a job at the local Valero refinery. After working his way up through the refinery, he eventually became the Process Safety Management representative, and enforced strict safety procedures to ensure that his fellow workers weren’t injured on the job.

He trained through the United Steelworkers leadership school and, for the past 7 years, has served as a staff representative, fighting for workers at the bargaining table and in his community. He knows from personal experience that Texans aren’t looking for handouts, they’re looking for a fair shot. As a union representative, he fights to make sure every worker gets one.

Jose remains active in his community by coaching a youth wrestling team and supporting youth sports programs across the state of Texas. Jose and his wife Diana, a public school district employee, live in Dumas and have three children. They enjoy spending time with their families and grilling carne asada on Sundays.