A Mover & Shaker who took on the Good Ole’ Boys of Dallas County
Meet Belle of Steel # 27
9-5-2026
She went from migrant farmworker to Captain in the U.S. National Guard and federal agent for U.S. Customs. Then, she took on the good ole’ boys network of politics in Dallas County and became the first female and Hispanic Sheriff of Dallas County in ? “I’m very proud to be Sheriff of the good people of Dallas County, I’ve dedicated my life to defending Texans and I’m not done yet.”
That was in the year 2004, when Lupe Valdez took the political establishment in Dallas County to become not only the first Hispanic and female, but one of the first Democrats to be elected countywide to that role in many years (Ratcliff, Hooks, & Sanchez, 2019). Lupe took on the role with a vengeance. She refurbished the county jail, which was in disrepute. She improved their meals. She overhauled policies. When it came to caring for those in need, she didn’t say no. Ultimately, Lupe was elected four consecutive terms as Sheriff of Dallas County. Head began to roll and people started to listen. Not only was she the first Latina to take on the role, but the only Latina Sheriff in the United States. Even more, she was on of very few who represented LGBTQ+ Americans serving in public office (Valdez, 2017). Protecting the lives and property of American citizens was not new to Ms. Valdez. She had done so both in-country and abroad as a Captain in the U.S. National Guard. She also served for years as a federal agent.
Early years
Lupe grew up in simple circumstances. She was the daughter of migrant farm workers and the youngest child in a family of ten. “There just weren’t any Hispanic ‘mentors’ to look up to. It was all up to me. I wanted a different life.” Lupe developed and learned the value of a strong work ethic as a young girl. She credits her mother for her ability to keep going even when she wanted to quit. Lupe’s mother really wanted her daughter to quit her education. But Lupe refused. She understood that opportunity only comes with education.“Educar para elevar,” educate to elevate began her slogan and words she lived by for her whole life. “I think my fear of being poor and not getting anywhere was big motivating factor.” She worked odd jobs and in the fields to put herself through college earning a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Southern Bethany Nazarene College. Tuition and books being expensive, sometimes it took two jobs just to get by.
Believing in reform with respect
While Sheriff, Lupe worked diligently to address the deep structural problems which had developed within the Dallas County jail system during the previous twenty years. The jail was chronically understaffed, way overpopulated, and grossly unsanitary. She led her team to make changes, took on the leadership of the County Commissioners making her case to improve the quality of care for inmate, especially those with mental health issues, which were simply not addressed. She worked to change the culture, pushing to ensure any individual touched by the criminal justice system was treated with respect and dignity. Her work commanded the attention of the County Commissioners of the time.
The Dallas County Commissioners Court consists of a County Judge and four commissioners representing individual precincts within the county. An elected Dallas County Judge serves as the presiding officer in charge of the Dallas County Commissioners Court. Lupe’s favorite judge over her four terms was Clay Jenkins, as he was the first democrat to take the office from incumbent republicans in 2010. She and Clay Jenkins saw eye to eye on many social issues affecting the citizens of Dallas County.
Over those five terms, Lupe Valdez’s reputation as leader began to grow. From law enforcement to labor groups, her coalition became diverse and broad. What brought them together was Lupe’s vast experience, compassion, and view of a new Texas; one based on unity, not division, where everyone had a fair shot got be successful (Ratcliff, Hooks, & Sanchez, 2019).
Obstacles that threatened
“It seemed I always chose careers where it was a “men only” thing. That was tough.” That single factor threatened to obstruct her path to success, more than anything else. But Lupe knew those were the jobs that paid more equally. She did face opposition because some men “didn’t want some woman, especially a Hispanic to take their jobs.” She experienced many incidences where men in similar jobs would purposely do thing to try and stop her progression. “During one incident, a gentleman, if you could call him that, said something like ‘it’s my task to get your arse fired today.’ Another notable occurrence happened while she worked as Federal Agent. Lupe related, “some seven to ten years after Herbert Hoover, the founder of the FBI, died; a white gentleman, only about 5’7” tall in a white shirt was the ideal example of a ‘good’ FBI agent.” Lupe herself was never officially in the FBI, but sometimes attached to them as she worked as a federal agent and could speak Spanish, which many times they could not. The men I worked with federally with were literally angry as more and more women advanced. She heard one member of upper management in the organization say “I’ll be f#$cked if I’m going to take orders from some b$tch who has to sit down to pee.” Being in those types of careers, Lupe knew the use of profanity was rampant.
But Lupe was no stranger to male ego. When she took over the sheriff’s department, Lupe thankfully had already gotten lesson on understanding that factor, or she states it would have been miserable. Time after time, she would come home exhausted, close the door, and let the tears flow, but never in public. Just never! To cope, she would say a spiritual mantra “The warrior is a child” in her head.
To overcome, sometimes Lupe says she would just do the opposite of what they thought she might. She kept going back to her ‘warrior child” song. She just would not quit. When troubled, she also thought about a movie where Tom Hanks portrayed a gay man who got aids, and his company tried to tear him apart. The character kept saying “every problem has a solution.” So she took up using that theory herself, knowing no matter what, she had to find it.
Lupe Valdez made a run for Governor in 2018. She launched her campaign in December 2017 and winning the Democratic nomination. Valdez became the first Latina and openly LGBTQ+ candidate to secure a major party gubernatorial nomination in Texas. The vote was very close. No one could believe it. But Texans believed in what she had to say on the changes and reforms need in relation to healthcare, veteran’s benefits, gun violence, crime, education, immigration policy, and LGBQT+ issues. All of those things started to resonate among unsatisfied Texans, tired of the long-standing conservatism from the incumbent, Governor Gregg Abbott.
According to Lupe Valdez: “No one should have to choose between a job or caring for a sick loved one. Our public schools are the path to opportunity, but for too many Texans, that opportunity is slipping away under the current Governor’s failed policies. This isn’t just about maintaining the status quo – it is about actively building a future we can be proud of and a world that’s safe for future generations. These all are major contributing factors to systemic oppression, racism, and classism, and combatting their harmful effects on our society is a major step forward in the fight for a fairer Texas. These shouldn’t be polarizing issues — this should be about treating people with dignity and respect, improving health outcomes, and strengthening the health for all Texans.”
Lupe Valdez carried out these position statements and delivered them to the burgeoning crowds growing with support and enthusiasm. In the final count of the gubernatorial vote of 2018, Democrat Lupe Valdez got 3,546,615 votes (42.8%) to incumbent Republican Greg Abbott’s 4,656,196 votes. Devastated, she lost by only a hundred or so before losing the general election to incumbent Republican Greg Abbott by a margin 13.3% (Ballotpedia, 2026).
Rewarding experiences
When Lupe saw minority inmates now on the outside, recognize her and say “you changed my life, man, for real” it brought her immense joy and satisfaction that she had indeed done a good job. As candidate in the gubernatorial election for Texas, Lupe remembers a Hispanic woman in tears coming up to her and saying “I would have never thought the state would have a Governor’s candidate that looked like me.” There were many experiences like that. I have been lucky enough to meet plenty of amazing leaders. I have pictures on my wall with presidents, from the Bushes to Biden. I am so honored to have experienced so many areas of life where people have expressed their pride and faith in me. I feel so blessed to represent women, Hispanics, the LBGQT community, and law enforcement.”
Community involvement, awards, & personal strengths
“I have over one hundred awards, medals, and certificates of appreciation and achievement. It is humbling to be sure. At a young age, I learned to be resilient. I had to. For a long time, I have no idea what that really meant. Migrant workers are people who just can’t quit. Rain, heat, snow, they only way to get paid is to bring in the crop. One learns early on, that is you quit, you won’t eat. I believe another strength is my faith.” Lupe reveals that many a time, she cried out to God saying “I can’t do this. You’ve got to help me. I just can’t do it.” A tear, a memory of hardships, unrest, and stubbornness, and yet she kept going.
Five years from now, Lupe Valdez hopes to continue being a public servant changing people’s lives and making a difference. She wants to start a non-profit for women who need to start over; women returning home from prison or from the military suffering from PTSD. She wants to help them find purpose and re-establish self-confidence. Talk about Belles of Steel traits! Congratulations to Lupe Valdez, who embodies that characteristics to be the 27th Belle of Steel.
References:
Ballotpedia (2026) Greg Abbott. https://ballotpedia.org/Greg_Abbott
Guerra, L. (2019) Lupe Valdez riding in horse parade [photographic image]
Ratcliffe, R. G., Hooks, C., Sanchez, C. (2019). 2019: the best and worst legislators. Texas Monthly. https://www.texasmonthly.com/news-politics/2019-the-best-and-worst-texas-legislators/#neave
Texas Diversity Council (2016) Lupe Valdez https://txdc.org/v2/events/diversity-luncheons/2016-best-practices-and-diversityfirst-awards-luncheon/greater-dallas/lupe-valdez/
Valdez. L. (2017) Lupe Valdez Democratic Candidate for Dallas County Sheriff. https://www.lupevaldez.com/