Sheriff Joe Frank Martinez has been elected for four terms as the leading law enforcement officer in Val Verde County, Texas, a vast rural area that shares a 110-mile border with Mexico. This position had been a dream of his father, who passed away at the age of 51. Martinez shares that his father, a dedicated Democrat, instilled in him and his nine siblings the value of serving their community.
Martinez describes himself as a “Catholic and pro-life and pro-gun” individual, while remaining loyal to his father’s party. He has earned support from both Democrats and Republicans in Val Verde County, which has facilitated his repeated election into office. However, this year his re-election is less assured as some Val Verde County residents feel he is not stringent enough on immigration, despite the fact that border security does not fall within the local sheriff’s duties.
A short documentary sheds light on Joe Frank and his brothers, David and Leo Martinez, as they navigate the immigration-related tensions in Del Rio, located nearly three hours south of San Antonio. The documentary explores Martinez’s campaign efforts and illustrates how emerging immigration patterns along the U.S.-Mexico border have influenced voter attitudes. Communities that were traditionally Democratic strongholds have started to lean Republican, a shift encouraged by Republican outreach to Latino voters.
The political landscape in Val Verde County is transforming as a result of these efforts. A political action committee known as Project Red TX has endorsed a candidate named Rogelio “Roger” Hernandez to run against Martinez. Since 2018, this PAC has been actively recruiting and financially supporting Republican candidates in local elections throughout majority Latino border counties. This year, it is backing 50 local candidates, including three in Val Verde County. Hernandez’s campaign signs, promoting his message of “bringing order to the border,” have become widespread throughout the area.
As border towns increasingly become focal points in the national immigration debate, the implications for Del Rio remain to be seen. This relevant short film, presented by ProPublica in collaboration with The Texas Tribune, invites viewers to delve deeper into the topic by reading the accompanying story.
Contributors to the production include Lisa Riordan Seville, Mauricio Rodriguez Pons, Liz Moughon, and Katie Campbell.
