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EDINBURG, TEXAS - For the latest in our Meet the Candidate podcast series, Rio Grande Guardian editor Steve Taylor met up with John Villarreal Rigney.

Villarreal Rigney, a Democrat, is running for the open Texas Congressional District 15 seat. The seat is open because incumbent U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez has moved to a neighboring district.

In the podcast, Villarreal Rigney, an attorney and small businessman, listed some of his priorities. On education he said he would work to increase teacher pay and benefits and provide better resources for public education. On veterans\\u2019 issues, Villarreal Rigney said he would work to upgrade the GI Bill and the VA Home Loan program. On healthcare, he said he would fight to provide more affordable prescription drugs, provide accessible healthcare for special needs children, and expand benefits for disabled Americans.

On economic opportunity, Villarreal Rigney said he would strongly support small businesses and support a living wage in South Texas.

\\u201cThe business community in the Valley is huge. Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. They need representation in Washington,\\u201d Villarreal Rigney said.

\\u201cBusiness leaders came up to me and said, John, you would be perfect for this.\\u201d

Villarreal Rigney pointed out he has been endorsed by others who were thinking of running for CD 15, such as Roberto Haddad, of DHR Health, and Hidalgo County\\u2019s Health Authority, Dr. Ivan Melendez, MD.\\xa0

He added: \\u201cMy top issues? Everything is going to be related to family. Border security, healthcare, education, it all relates back to our family. Protecting our law enforcement officers, our front line responders, all of that is part of my family agenda.\\u201d

To read the new stories and watch the news videos of the Rio Grande Guardian International News Service go to www.riograndeguardian.com.