Fifteen Democrats—yes, you read that right—were indicted in Frio County, Texas, on vote harvesting charges, making you wonder just how deep the rot goes when it comes to protecting the sanctity of our elections.
At a Glance
- Fifteen Democrat officials and operatives indicted for vote harvesting in Frio County, Texas.
- Charges include illegal ballot collection, evidence tampering, and conspiracy to sway elections.
- Indicted individuals include a sitting judge, two former mayors, and a former Texas House candidate.
- Alleged scheme targeted elderly voters, undermining trust in local government and fueling calls for stronger election laws.
Democrat Vote Harvesting Scheme Exposed in South Texas
Welcome to Frio County, Texas, where democracy apparently means “we win, no matter what.” State and local investigators, after a multi-year dragnet, have pulled back the curtain on a vote harvesting operation so brazen, it featured not just party hacks but sitting officeholders. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill ballot shenanigans. We’re talking about a rural Texas county where the local judge, two ex-mayors, and a parade of Democrat operatives now face criminal charges for allegedly treating ballots like their personal poker chips.
Here’s the play-by-play. The saga kicked off after the 2022 Democratic primary runoff, when losing candidate Mary Moore cried foul over suspicious ballot activity. Her complaint triggered an investigation that led to one of the largest election fraud busts in recent Texas history. Authorities allege the scheme involved targeting elderly voters—those most vulnerable to manipulation—paying political operatives to “collect” ballots, and using every trick in the progressive playbook to avoid getting caught. The goal? Secure and maintain Democrat control, regardless of what voters actually wanted.
Who’s Who in the Frio County Indictment Parade
Leading the roll call of shame is Rochelle Lozano Camacho, the current Frio County Judge, indicted on three counts of vote harvesting. She’s joined by Carlos Segura, the former Elections Administrator, charged with evidence tampering. Not to be outdone, ex-Dilley Mayor Mary Ann Obregon and ex-Pearsall Mayor Petra Davina Trevino each face vote harvesting charges, as does Cecilia Castellano, a former Texas House candidate. Juan Manuel Medina, once head of the Bexar County Democratic Party and Texas State Tejano Democrats, also faces two counts of vote harvesting. The remaining cast includes city council members, school trustees, and so-called “harvesters”—all allegedly working together to rig the results. Their motivation? Pure political power.
The indictments arrived in waves: first six, then nine more, for a total of fifteen. Every one of them either arrested or turned themselves in. The charges range from classic vote harvesting to tampering with physical evidence. The plot’s depth only confirms what many already suspect: when it comes to holding onto power, some Democrats view the law as a mere suggestion.
Election Integrity in the Crosshairs—Again
Texas has a long record of prosecuting election fraud, but the Frio County case stands out for sheer audacity. This wasn’t a lone wolf operation. It was a coordinated network encompassing elected officials, campaign operatives, and party leaders. The state’s Election Integrity Unit, led by Attorney General Ken Paxton, promises the prosecutions are just getting started. District Attorney Audrey Louis, overseeing the local side, has made it clear the investigation is far from over. More indictments may be on the way.
For Frio County, the fallout is immediate. Local government is in chaos, with multiple officials now facing criminal charges. Residents—especially those whose ballots were allegedly targeted—are left wondering whether their votes ever mattered. Meanwhile, Democrats statewide must grapple with the political embarrassment of a scheme that managed to rope in so many party insiders. The national implications are clear: trust in the system erodes every time party elites treat elections as mere games to be won by any means necessary.
The Real Cost: Public Trust, Policy, and Partisan Fireworks
In the short term, Frio County faces the kind of government disruption usually reserved for third-world regimes. Long term, cases like this become ammunition in the ongoing war over election integrity. Conservatives see validation for their calls to tighten mail-in voting and third-party ballot collection. Progressives, meanwhile, are left to explain how “helping voters” morphed into outright criminal conspiracy. The economic cost—court costs, special elections, and administrative shakeups—falls on taxpayers. The social cost—erosion of faith in local institutions and ever-growing polarization—may be even greater.
Nationally, the scandal stokes the already raging debate over how to balance ballot access with ballot security. Election law experts argue for evidence-based policy, but cases like this make it hard for anyone to keep a straight face when told our elections are perfectly safe. It’s a wake-up call—if you still needed one—that some politicians will do anything to cling to power, and that election security is not up for negotiation. If you’re tired of being told that concerns about ballot harvesting are nothing but “paranoia,” the Frio County indictments should be your Exhibit A.
Sources:
KSAT: 15 indicted in Frio County vote harvesting scheme involving local officials
Newsweek: Texas Democrats Indicted in Voter Fraud Scheme
