Two incumbents seek re-election to Val Verde County Hospital District board

Two incumbent directors have filed to seek re-election to precinct seats on the Val Verde County Hospital District Board of Directors, according to a Feb. 4, 2026 notice from Val Verde Regional Medical Center and reporting by The 830 Times. Hospital district voters will decide four board seats in the May 2 general election - two at-large seats plus Board of Director Precinct 1 and Precinct 2 - with filing having opened Jan. 14 and closing at 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13.

"Arreola told The 830 Times that, as of Monday, two individuals had filed applications for the May 2 ballot." "They are Dr. Daniel Chartrand, who is seeking re‑election to the Board of Director Precinct 1 seat he currently holds, and Dr. Julio Otazo, who is seeking re‑election to the Board of Director Precinct 2 seat he currently holds," the reporting states. The 830 Times also noted that "The two at‑large seats are currently held by Cris Diaz and Dr. Lee Keenen. As of noon Monday, neither Diaz nor Keenen had filed applications for re‑election, and no other candidates had filed for the at‑large positions."

The filings to date preserve continuity for Precincts 1 and 2, but the lack of declared challengers for the two at-large seats, at least as reported during the week of the hospital notice, leaves open the possibility that significant portions of the board could run unchallenged. That outcome would shape governance at Val Verde Regional Medical Center and influence oversight of local hospital policy, budgeting, and strategic decisions affecting access to care in Del Rio and surrounding communities.

Prospective candidates may file applications with Maricela Arreola, executive assistant at Val Verde Regional Medical Center. For questions or to file, Arreola can be reached at 830-703-1740 or by email at maricela.arreola@vvrmc.org. The candidate packet and filing procedures are available from the hospital; the filing deadline remains 5 p.m. Feb. 13.

Separately, reporting from California underscores the governance risks when board seats go unfilled. In Blythe, the Palo Verde Healthcare District asked Riverside County to appoint members after resignations left the board without a quorum and threatened compliance with loan agreements. Carmela Garnica, PVHD board chair, said of new funding that, "This is welcome and very encouraging news for our patients, our employees, and the entire Palo Verde Valley." The PVHD example highlights how timely candidate recruitment and appointment processes can be central to maintaining hospital operations and financing.

For Val Verde County voters, the immediate impact is straightforward: the list of candidates could change before the Feb. 13 deadline, and those names will determine whether contested elections drive public debate about hospital priorities. Verify the final candidate roster after filing closes and contact Maricela Arreola for official information; continued public attention will matter for accountability and the future direction of local health services.