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Harlingen native joins District 37 race | KVEO-TV

Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa is originally from Harlingen, Texas. He earned his bachelor's degree in kinesiology from the University of Texas-Pan American and his master's degree in educational leadership from Lamar University. He and his wife have two children. Ozzie is a member of the Knights of Columbus Catholic order.

Oziel is the director of special education for a local education agency. He previously worked as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, and principal. 

Ochoa announces run for State Rep. - San Benito News

Ozzie currently serves as Director of Special Education for Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District. He previously worked as a principal, assistant principal, coach, and teacher in public education.

Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa, Jr.'s campaign for Texas State Representative, District 37, is his first time running for public office.

Ozzie's campaign for Texas State Representative, District 37, is his first run for public office.

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Advocates for economic growth and prioritizes the needs of South Texas families.

Advocates for increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour.

Supports increased cost transparency and fair housing practices for renters.

- Advocates for increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour.
- Supports increased cost transparency and fair housing practices for renters.

Economy

Supports prioritizing public safety as a key issue for the community.

Plans to support law enforcement with the funding, equipment, and training they need to serve and protect their communities. 

Supports expanding access to mental health services through local programs.

Promotes the use of prevention, rehabilitation, and community-based solutions to reduce crime.

Advocates for the improvement of coordination between state and federal agencies on veteran benefits, and increasing mental health services and job training for veterans and their families.

- Plans to support law enforcement with the funding, equipment, and training they need to serve and protect their communities. 
- Supports expanding access to mental health services through local programs.
- Promotes the use of prevention, rehabilitation, and community-based solutions to reduce crime.
- Advocates for the improvement of coordination between state and federal agencies on veteran benefits, and increasing mental health services and job training for veterans and their families.

Public Safety

Supports expanding veteran healthcare access.

Aims to establish a state veterans cemetery in District 37.

- Supports abortion access.
- Supports expanding veteran healthcare access.
- Aims to establish a state veterans cemetery in District 37.

Healthcare

Prioritizes education as a key issue for South Texas families.

Supports reducing excessive standardized testing to increase instructional time for teachers and students.

Advocates for strengthening the Teacher Retirement System so educators can retire with financial security.

Supports increasing public school funding to keep pace with inflation and modernize learning environments.

Opposes school voucher programs that allow parents to use public funds to enroll their children in schools beyond their local options, including private schools.

- Supports reducing excessive standardized testing to increase instructional time for teachers and students.
- Advocates for strengthening the Teacher Retirement System so educators can retire with financial security.
- Supports increasing public school funding to keep pace with inflation and modernize learning environments.
- Opposes school voucher programs that allow parents to use public funds to enroll their children in schools beyond their local options, including private schools.

Education

As of April 1, 2026, Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa, Jr.’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Voting & Elections

Ethics & Conduct

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Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa, Jr.

Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa is from Harlingen, Texas. He earned his bachelor's degree in kinesiology from the University of Texas-Pan American and his master's degree in educational leadership from Lamar University. He and his wife, Myra, have two children.

Ozzie is the Director for Special Education for the Harlingen Independent School District. He previously worked as a teacher, coach, and principal. 

Ozzie's campaign for Texas State Representative, District 37, is his first time running for public office.

Advocates for increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour so "hardworking Texans can keep up with the rising cost of living".

- Advocates for increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour so "hardworking Texans can keep up with the rising cost of living".
- Supports increased cost transparency and fair housing practices for renters.

- Plans to support law enforcement with the funding, equipment, and training they need to serve and protect their communities. 
- Supports expanding access to mental health services through local programs.
- Promotes the use of prevention, rehabilitation, and community-based solutions to reduce crime.

Supports abortion access and believes "women and families deserve the freedom to make their own healthcare decisions with the guidance of their physicians".

- Supports abortion access and believes "women and families deserve the freedom to make their own healthcare decisions with the guidance of their physicians".

Oziel Ochoa's campaign for Texas State Representative, District 37, is his first time running for public office.

Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa, Jr. is from Harlingen, Texas. He has a bachelor's degree in kinesiology from the University of Texas-Pan American, a master's degree in educational leadership from Lamar University, and a superintendent program certification from the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. He and his wife, Myra Reyna Ochoa, have two children. He is Catholic and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa Jr.'s campaign for Texas State Representative, District 37, is his first time running for public office.

Supports economic growth and prioritizes the needs of South Texas families.

Supports prioritizing public safety as part of a comprehensive approach to serve South Texas families.

Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa Jr. ran for Texas State Representative, District 37, in 2026.

Lopez leads in District 37 Republican primary; Ochoa ... - MyRGV.com

As The Dust Settles - by Michelle H. Davis - Lone Star Left

Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa, Jr. is from Harlingen, Texas. He has a bachelor 27s degree in kinesiology from the University of Texas-Pan American, a master 27s in educational leadership from Lamar University, and a superintendent program from the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. He and his wife, Myra Reyna Ochoa, have two children. He is Catholic and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

Supports prioritizing public safety alongside education, veterans' rights, women's rights, and economic growth for South Texas families.

Oziel "Ozzie" Ochoa, Jr. is from Harlingen, Texas. He has a bachelor 27s degree in kinesiology from the University of Texas-Pan American, a master 27s degree in educational leadership from Lamar University, and a superintendent program certification from the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley. He and his wife, Myra Reyna Ochoa, have two children. He is Catholic and a member of the Knights of Columbus.

- Your state representative represents the interests of your local district in the Texas House of Representatives. The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Texas State Legislature
- Your state representative can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws. 
- There are 150 members of the Texas House of Representatives, each representing a single district. Representatives must be at least 21 years old and reside in the state for at least two years before their election. 
- State representatives are elected to two-year terms during even-numbered years. There are no term limits. 
- State representatives make $7,200 annually in addition to a $221 payment per day during legislative sessions and mileage reimbursements.