Jesus "Jesse" Rizo, an uncle to a victim of the Uvalde school shooting, won a seat on the local school board this past Saturday. According to results from Uvalde County's website, Rizo was elected in the first school board election since the massacre nearly two years ago, alongside counselor Jaclyn Gonzales and incumbent Cal Lambert.

Earning 785 votes, Rizo, the uncle of Jaclyn Cazares, who was slain in the tragedy, has become a prominent figure pushing for transparency and responsibility since the event that shook the town. In a victory speech, celebrating the win late Saturday night, Rizo went live on Facebook, thanking supporters and affirming, "There's going to be a lot of work ahead of us," as Express News reported.

The board, consisting of seven trustees, saw the removal of incumbent Luis Fernandez, who had served since 2016, and the defeat of several other candidates. Newcomer Gonzales received the most votes at 899, intending to rebuild a secure learning environment for the community. According to FOX San Antonio, Berlinda Arreola, the step-grandmother of one of the victims, described the election's outcome as "a small but a giant leap." Lambert secured his position with 701 votes as well.

Rizo's election outcome is seen as a reflection of the community's demand for change. "I'm honored and I'm humbled that they trust me and have faith in me," Rizo told FOX San Antonio. "I'm not afraid to speak, I'm not afraid to debate, I'm not afraid to tell the truth, and I'm not afraid to push back." Relatives of the victims see the election as a significant step towards ensuring their voices are heard, and that justice and accountability are progressing forward, as Brett Cross, the guardian of another Uvalde victim, expressed hope for a movement on the two-year mark of the shooting.