Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris Bell picked up endorsements from two dozen South Texas officials, a group that includes some state legislators, city and county officials.

The mayors include Silvestre Garcia of Combes, Joe Hernandez of San Benito, Billy Leo of La Joya, Ruben Ochoa of Santa Rosa, John David Osborn of Primera, Lalo Sosa of La Feria, Eddie Trevino of Brownsville, and David Winstead of Los Fresnos. And he picked up some Cameron County officials: District Clerk Aurora De La Garza, Commissioner Pete Benavidez, and Constables Saul Ochoa and Merced Burnias. 

That's generally Democratic turf, but some local officials have gone with other candidates. Republican Rick Perry announced endorsements from a group of mayors a couple of weeks ago, and state Sen. Eddie Lucio, D-Brownsville, is backing Carole Keeton Strayhorn.