Austin—After an impressive 53-year tenure in Travis County, Margaret Gómez is stepping down from her role as a county commissioner, marking the end of an era. The longest-serving commissioner in the county’s history announced her retirement during a recent Commissioners Court meeting held on June 2.
Gómez, who is 81 years old, expressed her readiness to retire after serving as a Travis County employee since 1973. Initially, she intended to complete her term in December, but following a sudden health setback that affected her mobility, she decided it was time for a new leader to take the reins. “Losing the ability to walk was something I couldn’t really deal with because my passion has always been to campaign door to door,” she shared. “If I can’t walk anymore, I had to ask myself, what am I in this for?”
Looking ahead, Gómez expressed excitement about enjoying music, reading, and learning to relax without the constant interruptions of phone calls. “Not jumping every time the phone rings, that kind of thing,” she noted.
George Morales, the commissioner-elect who will succeed her, was visibly emotional during the retirement celebration at the Travis County commissioners’ courtroom. Gómez began her career in the county working for Richard Moya, the first Mexican-American elected to public office in Travis County. In 1980, she shattered barriers by becoming the county’s first elected female constable, defeating an incumbent who had held the position for 14 years. Over her tenure, she cleared a backlog of over 30,000 criminal warrants.
In 1995, Gómez made history again by being sworn in as the first female Mexican-American commissioner, a role she has held ever since. The retirement celebration drew dozens of county employees, former judges, commissioners, and other elected officials, all paying tribute to her legacy.
Former Travis County Commissioner Karen Sonleitner, who took office alongside Gómez in 1995, reflected on their collaborative efforts that led to the county’s first bond election victory in over a decade. “It was successful because we didn’t look at it in terms of, well, what’s in it for me? The precincts worked together to put together a countywide package,” she recounted, emphasizing the bond’s inclusion of new county park projects.
Throughout her time in office, Gómez played a significant role in establishing various departments, including health and human services, human resources, STAR Flight, and the Travis County Housing Authority. She acknowledged that her success on the Commissioners Court was achieved through navigating diverse personalities and overcoming disagreements. “We can’t have such thin skin that we can’t get over it, because there are more issues to handle in the future,” she advised. “We must always come back together to address our basic goals.”
Gómez credited her achievements to the unwavering support she received from her parents, mentors, and colleagues, emphasizing the importance of listening to those who offer guidance. “We don’t know everything we think we do,” she remarked, encouraging young people to heed the advice of experienced individuals.
Having announced her retirement plans last year, Gómez drew four local Democrats to compete for her seat. Morales emerged victorious in last month’s runoff election, securing nearly 55% of the vote. He is expected to run unopposed in the upcoming November election, with his term commencing early next year.
During the celebration, Morales shared how he was inspired by Gómez’s servant leadership, recalling a personal moment when she comforted his family during a time of loss. “Margaret was the first one there at the coffee table with pan dulce and coffee, consoling my family,” he said. “I got to follow in her footsteps. I got to be mentored by her, and as a mentee, I’m extremely grateful.”
Despite her upcoming retirement, Gómez plans to remain active within the community. “I’m still hanging in here,” she stated. “I’m a taxpayer, I’m a voter, and I will still go out and try to get people to understand why they need to register and why they need to vote.”
