On Wednesday, May 7, 2025, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced the indictment of Frio County Judge Rochelle Lozano Camacho and five others on voter fraud charges related to the 2022 Democratic primary elections. Camacho, an elected Democratic judge, faces three counts of vote harvesting following a multi-year investigation into alleged illegal activities in Frio County.
The investigation began after a complaint from Mary Moore, Camacho’s opponent in the Democratic primary runoff. Moore claimed that Camacho employed a Democratic operative to gather mail-in ballots, assist with applications, and transport voters to polling sites, with payments reportedly between $1,500 and $2,500. Authorities allege that Camacho and her associates focused on elderly voters in a Pearsall subdivision, with one individual reportedly hiding ballots under clothing and using multiple vehicles to avoid detection.
Camacho, who ran on a platform promoting unity and progress for Frio County, narrowly secured victory in the primary, defeating Moore by 157 votes in the initial election and by 72 votes in the runoff, out of 322 total ballots cast. The indictment also involves Camacho’s sister, a county trustee, the county election administrator, two Pearsall city council members, and another individual.
In Texas, vote harvesting, the act of collecting and delivering completed absentee or mail-in ballots by a third party, is illegal and classified as a third-degree felony, carrying penalties of up to 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine. The practice is seen as undermining the independent ballot submission process.
Paxton’s office, which previously charged four individuals with vote harvesting in 2020, including a county commissioner, emphasized its commitment to addressing electoral misconduct.
“The people of Texas deserve fair and honest elections, not backroom deals and political insiders rigging the system. Elected officials who think they can cheat to stay in power will be held accountable. No one is above the law,” said Attorney General Paxton. “My office will continue to work with Frio County District Attorney Audrey Louis to protect the integrity of our elections.”
All suspects except Camacho were arrested on May 2, 2025, with the judge scheduled for processing at a later date.
