Hidalgo County officially has an interim county judge.

Rene Ramirez was officially sworn in on Tuesday morning to serve out the remainder of outgoing Judge J.D. Salinas’ term.

Salinas stepped down after accepting an appointment from President Barack Obama to the General Service Administration.

In a 3-to-2 vote last week, the commissioners court selected Rene Ramirez to replace Salinas.

Ramirez was working as chief of staff to Texas State Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa.

Ramirez is expected to serve out the remainder of Salinas’ term until a newly elected administrator takes the job in year 2011.

Ramirez told the Hidalgo County Commissioner’s Court this morning that he will continue to work with them to improve Hidalgo County.

"This is a managerial role for me, not a political, and I look forward to meeting with every single one of you, the members of the court, the department heads,” Ramirez said. “We've got a lot of work to do and we want to continue the good work that you all have been doing and the good work that you all have brought this county to, the position that it's in today.”