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Juan Manuel Escobar

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Juan Manuel Escobar
Juan Manuel Escobar in a suit with a red tie in front of the flag of the United States.
Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from the 43rd district
In office
May 9, 2003 – January 13, 2009
Preceded byIrma Lerma Rangel
Succeeded byTara Rios Ybarra
Personal details
Born (1950-03-11) March 11, 1950 (age 75)
Political partyDemocratic
Residence(s)Kingsville, Texas, U.S.
EducationUniversity of Texas–Pan American (BS)
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/service
United States Marine Corps
RankStaff Sergeant
Unit1st Marine Division
Battles/warsVietnam War

Juan Manuel Escobar (born March 11, 1950)[1] is an American former politician and judge. He is a former member of the Texas House of Representatives from the 43rd district from 2003 to 2009, and was a Kleberg County judge from 2011 to 2014.

Early life and education

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Early in his life, Escobar was a migrant worker. Escobar attended Roma High School, where he was a Texas All-State Class AA first team selection in basketball, competed in the 440 at the Texas Class AA State final, and served as Student Council President during his senior year. Escobar earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from the University of Texas–Pan American in 1978.[2]

Military service

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Escobar served in the United States Marine Corps with the 1st Marine Division in Vietnam where he was wounded in action in 1970. He rose to the rank of Sergeant and was assigned to United States Marine Barracks 8th & I in Washington, D.C., where he was a pallbearer for presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Harry S. Truman.[2] He ended his duties as a active duty Marine and was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps Reserve where he served as a Platoon Sergeant with a Reco Unit.

He began his career with United States Border Patrol in 1978 and was the "Patrol Agent in Charge" at the Sarita checkpoint for several years. He was promoted to Senior Special Agent with the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force. He retired from the United States Department of Homeland Security in 2003.[2]

Political career

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Escobar was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in a special election to replace the late Irma Lerma Rangel in May 2003. He served in that capacity until January 2009. He served as Vice Chair of the Defense Affairs—State Federal Relations, Criminal Jurisprudence, House Administration, Border and Intergovernmental Affairs and Land and Resource Management.[3]

In 2008 he was defeated by fellow Democrat Tara Rios Ybarra 53.74% to his 46.25% in a higher than average turnout election.

In 2010 he was elected as Kleberg County Judge, and served until December 2014.[citation needed]

Personal life

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Escobar lives in Kingsville, Texas with his wife of 43 years, Maria del Rosario (Rosie). He is a lay minister and former administrator for St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Kingsville. He serves as a Major in the Civil Air Patrol.

His children are Yvonne Yvette and Eduardo Eden, daughter in law Marleena and two grandsons Branden Luke and Jacob Dylan.

References

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  1. ^ "Juan Manuel Escobar". Texas State Cemetery. Retrieved May 12, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Cantu, Gloria-Bigger, "County judge-elect says leadership key to success" Archived 18 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine Kingsville Record and Bishop News, 28 April 2010, Retrieved 8 June 2011.
  3. ^ "Juan Manuel Escobar". Texas Legislators: Past & Present. Legislative Reference Library of Texas.
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Preceded by Member of the Texas House of Representatives
from District 43 (Kingsville)
2003–2009 		Succeeded by
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