Corpus Christi election 2026: Where candidates stand on water, streets and city priorities

See where Corpus Christi mayoral and City Council candidates stand on desalination, water supplies, street repairs and their priorities for office.

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — A record number of candidates have filed to run in the 2026 Corpus Christi municipal election, according to the city secretary.

3NEWS sent every candidate for mayor and City Council four questions about water supplies, street repairs and their priorities for office to help voters compare their positions before heading to the ballot box.

This story continues below.

Below are the responses we have received. Candidates who have not responded or whose submitted answers are missing can contact 3NEWS.

Candidates’ answers are published verbatim and have not been edited.

Mayor

Kaylynn Paxson

David Ainsworth

1. Do you support the City of Corpus Christi moving forward with the proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant? Please answer “yes” or “no.” Briefly explain your answer.

Yes – Corpus Christi needs a reliable, drought-resistant water supply, and seawater desalination should remain one part of a diversified long-term strategy. However, I would require strong financial safeguards, environmental protections, transparent contracting, and clear evidence that the project is affordable for ratepayers before committing additional taxpayer or ratepayer dollars. The City completed additional bay-system modeling in August 2026, and those findings should be part of any decision.

2. Regardless of your answer above, which option or combination of options should Corpus Christi prioritize for its long-term water supply and why?

Corpus Christi should pursue a diversified water portfolio rather than depend on one project or one source. I would prioritize groundwater, reclaimed water, conservation and efficiency, improvements to our existing system, and desalination where it proves financially and environmentally responsible

3. With the street maintenance fee no longer available, how should Corpus Christi pay for continued street repairs and maintenance?

Street maintenance is a core city responsibility and should be treated as a recurring budget priority, not something we address only when roads reach crisis conditions.

I would establish a predictable annual commitment from existing General Fund revenues for preventive maintenance and street rehabilitation, pursue state and federal transportation funding wherever available, and use voter-approved bonds primarily for major reconstruction and long-life capital projects. I would also require transparent reporting showing residents exactly how much is being spent, which streets are scheduled, and whether projects are being completed on time and on budget.

4. What is one specific, measurable result you would seek to accomplish during your first six months in office? District candidates should identify a district priority; mayoral and at-large candidates should identify a citywide priority.

On day one, I would call for an independent forensic audit of the City of Corpus Christi’s finances and major expenditures. Taxpayers deserve to know where their money is going and whether it is being managed responsibly.

My measurable goal for the first six months would be to have the audit authorized and underway, with its scope, independent auditor, timeline, and process made public.

This is about transparency and accountability. Before we ask residents to pay more in taxes, fees, or utility rates, we need a clear understanding of how existing dollars are being spent.

Paulette M. Guajardo

Gil Hernandez

Chelise Hyatt

Davian N. Gomez

John Calkusic

1. Do you support the City of Corpus Christi moving forward with the proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant? Please answer “yes” or “no.” Briefly explain your answer.

Do I support the city moving forward with the inner harbor desalinization project? As the mayor, Hell will freeze over before I would permit desalinization to move forward without a new separate amendment to the city charter, which I have created and ready to implement that would protect the city and citizens from unscrupulous and unethical, unelected or elected officials that promote mind over matter politics, which means that they don’t mind that the citizens don’t matter with condescending contempt. This is what helped to cause our water crisis in the first place. Our water crisis was not caused by an act of God.

When analyzing the events that occurred in 2017 and 2018 with Exxon and Steel Dynamics getting our water, it has the appearance of a criminal conspiracy to defraud the city and citizens of their water rights with a bait and switch tactic. Jobs and economics growth were promised, but there was never any disclosure or transparency for the citizens to have knowledge or objections to these massive water giveaways. Had the citizens been given the opportunity to vote on these issues, neither Exxon or Steel Dynamics would have received one drop of our water. The city council knew this.

The city council then hid behind Texas law 551.087, like a pack of rats, to willfully misuse this law for economic development, and to circumvent the open meetings act, preventing citizen knowledge and opposition. It’s my contention that this was not only about economic development, but also deliberate resource depletion to fuel a water crisis. That was illegal and a criminal aspect of the ruling Mafia Democracy. With actions, laying the groundwork to promote and cram up everyone’s backsides desalinization as the savior to the rescue. Straight out of the globalist playbook. Hegelian Dialectic, problem, reaction and solution. they create the problem only to profit on the solution. If elected mayor will push for 16 provable criminal felonies against those involved. It is not completely outside of the statute of limitations, considering the crime is ongoing with water still going to Exxon and Steel Dynamics from lake Corpus Christi and the Mary Rhodes pipeline.

2. Regardless of your answer above, which option or combination of options should Corpus Christi prioritize for its long-term water supply and why?

I have six strategies to help avert a water crisis. They are not completely drought proof. However they are far more cheaper than desalinization.

A.) A new pumping station at the San Antonio river in Tivoli could be tied into the Mary Rhodes pipeline with up to 30 million gallons of fresh water daily. This would put the pipeline at capacity at a cost between 200 to 300 million dollars. The same results as the inner harbor desal plant at a 700 to 800 million dollar savings for our city, versus a billion dollars for desalinization.

B.) A new pumping station for water from the Aransas river. 5 million gallons of potential daily water.

C.) A new pumping station for water from the Mission river. 5 million gallons of potential daily water.

D.) Purchase low lying property around lake Texana and flood it to increase lake size with more holding power as an additional buffer against drought.

E.) Completely upgrade the existing pumping stations for sending more water to lake Texana when needed if the lake reached levels of concern.

All of these ideas will take coordination and cooperation with our northern neighboring counties, with feasibility and environmental studies. I see promising potential.

F.) I would hire for a relatively inexpensive yearly program, approximately 1 million dollars, The South Texas Weather Modification Association for cloud seeding services over lake Corpus Christi and Choke Canyon reservoir. When proper weather conditions exist, an additional 5 to 15 % more rainfall yearly could help refill the lakes.

3. With the street maintenance fee no longer available, how should Corpus Christi pay for continued street repairs and maintenance?

Too many area roads look like war zones. I might consider restarting dedicated street funding with the 5 dollar user fee to help offset the recent cuts in road funding. I would also dedicate any extra money found through city wide audits of the budget and different city funds. Every pothole you hit is unjust punishment on you car, your time, your safety, your patience and your wallet with high repair costs. Roads crumble while funds have been cut in half. This isn’t bad luck. It’s a choice !!! I will restore real funding, rank every street by conditions and traffic, rebuild the worst first, instead of worthless patches and demand results from contractors. Safe roads are not a luxury. Let’s all work together and stop the decay now.

Name a city wide project I would seek to accomplish during my first six months in office.

This will have a positive impact for both the city council and our citizens. This would entail restoring (REAL) transparency, oversight, accountability, honesty, integrity, trust, common sense and competence. They all have been in short supply far too long. Our city council has turned into a laughing stock and circus. You know it’s unruly when governor Abbot has to threaten to step in and take charge. I have created an amendment for adding to our city charter. It would require the utmost of transparency of all local elected officials. the days of wild west clandestine city politics will come to a screeching halt. This will be hailed by the citizens as a way to finally have long awaited accountability from all of city council actions. No more secret sweetheart deals or using our water as a personal piggy bank, personal slush fund to attract business, or passing it out like Halloween candy to any large water guzzling companies. We (WILL) have honesty, integrity , and trust or consequences. Everyone will be held to the same ethical standards with no exceptions.

Anna Marie Hernandez

Dave Heasley

1. Do you support the City of Corpus Christi moving forward with the proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant? Please answer “yes” or “no.” Briefly explain your answer.

I do not support inner harbor desalination because my 15 years of Desal experience tell me it is a fraud project developed by criminal politicians to help themselves and their supporters cash in on a bad deal for the citizens. There’s over a thousand reasons why the rest of the world doesn’t put desalination units in petro chemical inner harbor ship channels.

2. Regardless of your answer above, which option or combination of options should Corpus Christi prioritize for its long-term water supply and why?

Long term water supply requires methodical planning and management of currently available natural fresh water reserves. Natural Surface water and storm water run off have long been ignored, but are more than enough to supply our city. Industrial users must finance, build, and maintain their own environmentally friendly desalination program to supply their massively growing demand. The citizens can no longer afford to supply them.

3. With the street maintenance fee no longer available, how should Corpus Christi pay for continued street repairs and maintenance?

We have four refineries here that make asphalt. All of south Texas is covered with limestone needed for road base materials. There’s no cheaper place in the world to build streets. And absolutely no excuse for the condition of our streets. What we have is massive corruption and mismanagement by multiple city officials.

My first mission as mayor will be to weed out these corrupt individuals. Prosecute them For the financial crimes they have been committing against the tax payers. Put them in jail for it. Set an example that this will not be tolerated. And then there will be plenty of money to get things back to normal around here. Bad management, Waste, fraud, and abuse of tax payer funds is 100% what is killing this city. And I will stop it.

At-Large

Anthem Powers

Merida Nardone Mendoza

Scott F. Corliss

1. Do you support the City of Corpus Christi moving forward with the proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant? Please answer “yes” or “no.” Briefly explain your answer.

Yes, I support the Inner Harbor Desalination Project because;

a. It is the only project that has been FULLY permitted and partial design completed

b. Fully Vetted by TCEQ, EPA and has had multiple independent studies that prove it will have a very minimal impact on aquatic life.

c. From a standpoint of economics, it will have the least impact on the rate payer. If we are to move forward with a purchase plan from Harbor Island, the rates per thousand are almost 40% higher than the cost of the IHP. Furthermore, we have to reserve, per recent council decision, 50 million gallons per day at a higher proposed rate, whether we use it or not, having a direct impact on the rate payer.

d. The IHDP will be City owned and operated by a well vetted Desalination Corporation.

e. It is the only true diversified water source plan that is ready to be started. If Evangeline is to move forward it will have to go through the courts and, if approved as on paper, it may come under the upcoming water conservation district which has the probability of lowering the allowed amount of draw from 27 million Gallons to just under 10. Finally, it does not provide the diversity needed as we have seen with the recent Mary Rhodes Pipeline failure.

2. Regardless of your answer above, which option or combination of options should Corpus Christi prioritize for its long-term water supply and why?

The answer to the water situation should be generational with the least impact on the rate payers. I advocate for the least economical impact and the least ecological impact. This means that there is not 1 solution that is a “fix all”. While desalination is very important for the long-term growth of Corpus Christi, there should always be supplemental areas with a safety provision. Wells are an important part of any overall solution for drought resiliency and for the continuity of supply should any of the sources fail. There should be a well-rounded solution that does not put us dependent on one or two sources. Lakes and MRP were good for the times up to now, but they were never meant to be a forever solution. The combination of these that include Desalination and well activities, that have minimal effect on our neighbors and with consideration of Subsidence. Finally continued work on water releases that are fair to the people of Corpus Christi and the marine life.

3. With the street maintenance fee no longer available, how should Corpus Christi pay for continued street repairs and maintenance?

While there is consideration of reenacting the street user fee, I believe that economics are the key to the overall solution. That still comes back to water… as I have traveled all over the US over the past 15 Years, I see that Corpus Christi is not unique in these issues. However, once we have a water solution it is highly likely there will be a significant uptick in investment in this area, that in turn leads to a increase in our tax base, not to mention the sales tax increase through tourism that will come through the same type of perceptional investment in this area. Once this is accomplished investing bond dollars would be prudent to really attack all of the street issues that surround this community. We also need to fix the credit rating issues that plague Corpus Christi at this time, which was caused by this Council’s majority. A well-diversified water solution combined with rebuilding our relationships with our County, state and federal government partners is an essential part of bonding, grants and federal investment to this region and this City. This will have a direct impact on our infrastructural needs.

While the main priority is the water solutions, I believe that there has to be several things accomplished within the first 6 months. 1. Water. 2. Rebuild the relationships with our neighbors, County, State and Federal Government. Finally, 3. Rebuild the Credit rating. I have set the bar high for the first six months of office and I believe that all of this will tie into a further success for the City of Corpus Christi.

Sammy Gonzales

Zoraida Basaldu

Michael Miller

1. Do you support the City of Corpus Christi moving forward with the proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant? Please answer “yes” or “no.” Briefly explain your answer.

No. There are numerous reasons to oppose the Inner Harbor Project including lack of reasonable expandability, source water quality as it relates to public health, impact on neighborhoods, cost and existing debt, concerns about the city’s ability to operate and maintain the asset, and general lack of community buy-in. It is a lightning rod project that has severely divided the city, and there are several much more favorable projects that aren’t nearly as controversial. We must first identify our short, mid, and long term demand and proceed accordingly with a different project that has more wide support.

2.Regardless of your answer above, which option or combination of options should Corpus Christi prioritize for its long-term water supply and why?

As I mentioned before, we must first forecast demand. Over the past two years, several events have occurred that have moved the goal post. Several cities that CCW supplies water to have procured their own water supplies and have greatly reduced their demand on CCW. In addition, Flint Hills, Valero, and now GCGV have signed agreements to purchase wastewater effluent from Corpus Christi and Portland. By my calculation, within the next year and a half, these projects will reduce the overall daily demand by approximately 37 million gallons per day. That does not mean we should not pursue any further water projects to account for growth, but a strategy of “let’s do ALL water projects” is probably not the best approach. We can never have too much water, but we can have too much water debt!

3. With the street maintenance fee no longer available, how should Corpus Christi pay for continued street repairs and maintenance?

Our major reconstruction projects are typically funded by voter approved bonds. This year, we do not have enough general obligation debt capacity to even ask voters for approval. Streets, especially asphalt streets, are difficult to construct and maintain here due to our native clay soils and periods of prolonged drought followed by torrential rain events. Concrete streets are slightly more expensive, but have much better longevity and are much less maintenance intensive. I would propose that we first revisit the infrastructure design manual and amend it to reflect concrete pavement sections. Funding this will be difficult, and the progress will be slower, but at least we will have an asset that will be good to go with very little maintenance for the next 50+ years. Waldron road was constructed out of concrete and went basically untouched for 80 years! We should take the next few years and pay off some of our general obligation debt, and be more deliberate with our approach to future bond proposals.

4.What is one specific, measurable result you would seek to accomplish during your first six months in office? District candidates should identify a district priority; mayoral and at-large candidates should identify a citywide priority.

I would like to revisit the city’s procurement practices as they relate to professional services and construction. Over the past few years, we have had several major projects come in over budget. Many design contracts are paid as a function of the percentage of the cost of work. That means that if a project comes in over budget, the design professionals and contractors actually make more money. This does not incentivize budget management, and can lead to fewer projects being completed.

Joshua Fraedrick

1. Do you support the City of Corpus Christi moving forward with the proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant? Please answer “yes” or “no.” Briefly explain your answer.

No. I oppose the Inner Harbor location because of concerns about its cost, ecological impact on our bay, and effects on the historic Hillcrest neighborhood, including the 98-year-old church just a few blocks away. Residents deserve a clear accounting of construction and operating costs and how those costs would affect their water bills. Any new water supply must protect our coastal ecosystem and existing communities, with meaningful environmental safeguards and full public transparency.

2. Regardless of your answer above, which option or combination of options should Corpus Christi prioritize for its long-term water supply and why?

We need a combination of conservation, reclaimed water, and responsibly developed new supply. We should reduce waste and make better use of the water we already have while planning for long-term needs. Barney Davis deserves further study because of its potential for Gulf discharge, scalability, and nearby infrastructure. Harbor Island also deserves consideration, with permitting already completed and offshore intake and discharge planned. These options must be compared based on ecological impact, total cost to residents, and realistic timelines for delivering water.

3. With the street maintenance fee no longer available, how should Corpus Christi pay for continued street repairs and maintenance?

Maintaining our streets needs to be a core budget priority. We should review existing spending, prioritize maintaining infrastructure over expansion, and pursue available grants. Doing more street work in-house can lower costs and give the city greater control over quality, scheduling, and accountability. I would support narrowly defined road bonds with clear project lists and public accounting, prioritizing the oldest neglected streets. We also need to coordinate street work with utility repairs and fix problems correctly the first time, instead of repeatedly paying to patch the same streets.

Within my first six months, I would work to establish a public street-repair dashboard similar to the city’s water projects dashboard. It would show every funded street project’s location, budget, expected completion date, contractor or city crew responsible, and current status. My measurable goal would be to have it publicly available with monthly updates explaining delays and cost changes. Residents deserve an easy way to track their tax dollars and know when repairs will actually be completed.

Willie Morales Jr.

Mark Scott

1. Do you support the City of Corpus Christi moving forward with the proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant? Please answer “yes” or “no.” Briefly explain your answer.

Yes. It is fully permitted, is supported by the Texas Water Development Board ($750MM in low interest loans), Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, The Governor’s office, our US Congressman and potentially the Administration. Terminating the project will require the City to defease the bonds already sold and damage our credit ratings.

2. Regardless of your answer above, which option or combination of options should Corpus Christi prioritize for its long-term water supply and why?

I support a balanced strategy of surface water plus, groundwater, pipeline upgrades, effluent reuse, and desalination. We have the first four in place and progressing, now just need to add the truly drought proof supply…desalination.

3. With the street maintenance fee no longer available, how should Corpus Christi pay for continued street repairs and maintenance?

I made the motion at City Council to restore street maintenance funding. The motion failed.

Vote to proceed with the Inner Harbor 60% design contract (including the pilot plant which will provide environmental testing). The result of the design would be to affirm environmental assessments and provide a “guaranteed maximum price”.

Nancy Vera

Julian Jacob Hernandez

1. Do you support the City of Corpus Christi moving forward with the proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant? Please answer “yes” or “no.” Briefly explain your answer.

No, I would support desalinization as part of Corpus Christi’s long term water solution, but I do not support the proposed “Inner Harbor Project”. We need additional water but that does not mean we should accept any project at any cost or location. We have a responsibility to find the right source at the right location and consider who is in need of the water.

2. Regardless of your answer above, which option or combination of options should Corpus Christi prioritize for its long-term water supply and why?

Corpus Christi should not depend on one source. I support a diversified approach that includes seawater desalination at an appropriate location, reclaimed, and non-potable water, conservation and other sustainable regional sources.

I especially support expanding reclaimed water for industrial uses that do not require drinking quality water. We should question why highly treated potable water is being used in cooling towers and other industrial processes when an appropriate non-potable source can be used instead.

However, we also need to have an honest discussion about who pays for that infrastructure. The city recently approved more than one million in major infrastructure for its reclaimed water system, including infrastructure that will help supply industry customers such as Valero. I support getting industry off potable water, but I also believe the cost should reasonably follow the demand being placed on their system. Residential customers should not be expected to disproportionately subsidize infrastructure primarily needed to serve large industrial demand.

Industry is important to Corpus Christi and provides jobs, but economic development should benefit the entire community. If a large industrial user creates a significant portion of the demand for new water supply or infrastructure that user should bear an appropriate share of those costs.

3. With the street maintenance fee no longer available, how should Corpus Christi pay for continued street repairs and maintenance?

Street maintenance is a basic city service and should be prioritized within the existing budget before asking residents for other fees. But we also need to look at, not how much money we spend. We need to look at where we spend it, how we build our streets and how long those repairs actually last.

I have seen streets selected for major repairs while portions of the same street or streets right across from them appear to need the work more and are left untouched. I want to understand how those decisions are being made and make sure objective assessments are being used so limited street dollars go where they are the most.

We also need better coordination between street and utility projects. It makes little sense to reconstruct or repave a street and then tear it up shortly afterward to install or repair an underground utility.

I would also review the city’s construction specification and inspection processes , including subgrade preparation, base material, compaction, drainage and testing along with the documentation contractors provide showing those specifications were actually met.

My goal isn’t simply to spend more money on the streets. It’s to make sure we’re fixing the right streets, fixing them correctly, and making the taxpayers money last.

4.What is one specific, measurable result you would seek to accomplish during your first six months in office? District candidates should identify a district priority; mayoral and at-large candidates should identify a citywide priority.

As an At-large council member, one of the first citywide priorities would be greater transparency and follow-through on major City contracts and capital projects. Within the first six months, I would seek to establish public reporting for major active capital projects and contracts above an estimated dollar amount, showing what was originally approved, how much has actually been spent, change orders, current completion status, whether the project is on schedule, and whether the city received what taxpayers paid for.

I come from an industry where you don’t just award the project and walk away. You verify the work was completed correctly, safely, on schedule, and according to the specifications.

Taxpayers deserve the same level of follow through with their money!

Carolyn Vaughn

Richard Shelton

Dan McQueen

Alex Johnston

1. Do you support the City of Corpus Christi moving forward with the proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant? Please answer “yes” or “no.” Briefly explain your answer.

No. I do not support Inner Harbor. I feel that this project is too expensive and runs a substantial risk of delay, cost over run, and negative environmental impacts.

2. Regardless of your answer above, which option or combination of options should Corpus Christi prioritize for its long-term water supply and why?

I support a combination of smaller projects to mitigate risk including expanding waste water reuse for industrial applications, storm water recovery, evaporation loss mitigation and responsible expanded ground water projects.

3. With the street maintenance fee no longer available, how should Corpus Christi pay for continued street repairs and maintenance?

Street maintenance is a basic city service, and I believe we should treat it that way in the budget rather than continually searching for a new dedicated fee. Bonds make sense for major reconstruction projects, but borrowing money to perform routine maintenance simply pushes today’s costs onto tomorrow’s taxpayers. Just as importantly, we need to get more value from every dollar we already spend. I want street decisions driven by pavement-condition data, traffic volume, maintenance history and cost per lane-mile so we repair the right streets at the right time. Preventative maintenance performed early is dramatically cheaper than waiting until a street requires complete reconstruction. Before asking residents for another fee or tax increase, I want us to demonstrate that we are prioritizing existing revenues effectively, competitively procuring outside work, and measuring the results.

Within my first six months, I would seek to launch the first version of CC360—a public performance dashboard showing residents clear, regularly updated measures of how the city is performing on priorities like streets, water, public safety, finances, and major projects. The measurable result is simple: by the end of six months, residents should be able to go online and see a defined set of city performance indicators, their targets, current results, and trends over time. You cannot improve what you do not measure, and transparency should mean more than publishing reports after the fact. I want residents and Council working from the same data.

District 1

John Garcia

1. Do you support the City of Corpus Christi moving forward with the proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant? Please answer “yes” or “no.” Briefly explain your answer.

I support moving forward with the Inner Harbor desalination plant because water is not just about growth or development—it is about our families, our neighborhoods, and our future.

For too long, the people of Corpus Christi have worried about drought, water restrictions, and rising utility bills. We need a dependable water supply, but we also have a responsibility to make sure families can afford the water coming into their homes.

I will support a project that is environmentally responsible, financially accountable, and transparent to the public. I will continue asking tough questions about the cost and the impact on our residents.

Our people deserve three things: reliable water, affordable water, and a responsible plan for our future.

2. Regardless of your answer above, which option or combination of options should Corpus Christi prioritize for its long-term water supply and why?

I believe Corpus Christi should prioritize a balanced combination of water sources—groundwater, water reuse, conservation, our existing surface-water supplies, and desalination.

We should never again put our families, neighborhoods, and local businesses in a position where our future depends too heavily on one water source. A diversified approach gives us greater security when drought conditions affect one part of our system.

We should continue developing responsible groundwater projects, expand the reuse of treated water for industrial and other appropriate uses, conserve and protect the water we already have, and pursue desalination as a drought-resistant source for our long-term future.

Most importantly, every project must be evaluated for cost, reliability, environmental impact, and what it will mean for the monthly water bills of our residents.

Water is a basic necessity. Our families deserve reliable water, affordable water, and a long-term plan that puts the people of Corpus Christi first.

3. With the street maintenance fee no longer available, how should Corpus Christi pay for continued street repairs and maintenance?

Our streets are one of the most basic services residents expect from their city, and maintaining them must remain a core budget priority.

With the street maintenance fee no longer available, I believe Corpus Christi should first maximize existing resources by dedicating a consistent portion of General Fund revenue to street maintenance, eliminating unnecessary spending, pursuing state and federal transportation funding, and coordinating street projects with utility and drainage work so we are not repeatedly tearing up the same roads.

I also support using bond programs appropriately for major reconstruction projects while maintaining a dependable annual funding source for preventative maintenance. Fixing streets early is less expensive than allowing them to deteriorate until complete reconstruction is necessary.

Most importantly, I do not believe the first answer should always be another fee on our families. Residents already pay taxes and deserve to see those dollars used efficiently.

Every neighborhood—from Calallen and Annaville to the Westside, Northside and Downtown—deserves safe, dependable streets and a clear plan for maintaining them.

During my first six months in office, I would seek to have at least five priority street and infrastructure projects in District 1 identified, funded, or placed on a specific City work schedule with publicly available timelines for completion.

For me, “Neighborhoods First. Families First. Future First.” means delivering results people can actually see in their neighborhoods.

I would work directly with residents, City staff, and neighborhood organizations to identify the most urgent streets, drainage, sidewalks, and infrastructure needs. Within six months, residents should be able to point to specific projects, specific timelines, and visible progress.

When residents bring an issue to City Hall, they deserve to be heard, receive an answer, and see action. That is how we begin Building a Stronger District 1, Together.

Tracy McCall

1. Do you support the City of Corpus Christi moving forward with the proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant? Please answer “yes” or “no.” Briefly explain your answer.

Yes. I have supported the desalination project since 2022 because I believe Corpus Christi needs a diversified, sustainable, long-term water supply. As a chemical engineer with more than 20 years of industry experience and extensive knowledge of water treatment, I understand the importance of evaluating technical design, environmental impacts, project costs and water reliability.

I support evaluating multiple desalination projects and positioning Corpus Christi as a regional water supplier while protecting residents, our environment and taxpayers. Water planning must be based on engineering, sound financial decisions and long-term community needs.

2. Regardless of your answer above, which option or combination of options should Corpus Christi prioritize for its long-term water supply and why?

Corpus Christi must prioritize a diversified, long-term water supply. I support ALL viable desalination projects, including both fully permitted facilities. We cannot afford to pit projects against one another when our region needs water. We must work together to advance multiple solutions while evaluating costs, environmental impacts and infrastructure needs. My goal is to make Corpus Christi a regional water hub, securing reliable water for residents, businesses and future generations.

With the street maintenance fee no longer available, how should Corpus Christi pay for continued street repairs and maintenance?

I support reinstating the street maintenance fee to establish a dedicated, sustainable funding source for street repairs. Maintaining our roads should be a core city responsibility, not dependent on temporary funding or repeated bond elections. I would review the fee structure to ensure fairness, transparency and accountability. Every dollar collected should be dedicated to street maintenance, with measurable performance standards, published project schedules and regular reporting so residents can see exactly where their money is going.

What is one specific, measurable result you would seek to accomplish during your first six months in office? District candidates should identify a district priority; mayoral and at-large candidates should identify a citywide priority.

With District 1 experiencing significant residential and commercial growth, public safety resources must keep pace. Within my first six months, I would work to ensure negotiations for the 2027 CCPD contract are underway, with a documented assessment of staffing and resources needed to support Northwest Corpus Christi. As our community grows, we must ensure officers have the personnel, equipment and support necessary to serve our residents and businesses.

Billy Lerma

John M. Cudd

1. Do you support the City of Corpus Christi moving forward with the proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant? Please answer “yes” or “no.” Briefly explain your answer.

No, I originally supported the Inner Harbor desalination plant because it was the only permitted project at the time. However, with Harbor Island now permitted, it has become my preferred choice. I believe Harbor Island offers greater opportunities for future expansion, providing Corpus Christi with a sustainable, long-term water supply while potentially allowing the city to sell water to other municipalities and generate additional revenue.

2. Regardless of your answer above, which option or combination of options should Corpus Christi prioritize for its long-term water supply and why?

I believe the Harbor Island desalination project, whether owned entirely by the City of Corpus Christi or developed through a public-private partnership, represents our best opportunity for long-term water security. Although the project is currently permitted for 100 million gallons per day (MGD), I believe we should pursue expanding its permitted capacity to 500 MGD over the next decade. This expansion could provide a sustainable water supply for the entire Coastal Bend region, as well as communities in San Antonio, Austin, and West Texas.

By supplying water to other municipalities, Corpus Christi could generate additional revenue that could help lower water bills for our residents and surrounding communities purchasing water from the city. My goal is to establish a reliable, expandable water supply that supports future growth while keeping water affordable for our citizens.

3. With the street maintenance fee no longer available, how should Corpus Christi pay for continued street repairs and maintenance?

I believe the City of Corpus Christi must take a closer look at how taxpayer dollars are currently being spent. There are opportunities to improve financial efficiency by identifying and eliminating wasteful spending on unnecessary projects that provide little or no measurable benefit to taxpayers. I would prioritize redirecting those funds toward essential infrastructure needs, particularly street repairs and maintenance, before considering additional financial burdens on residents.

During my first six months in office, my priority would be improving public safety and neighborhood conditions throughout District 1. I would work closely with law enforcement and city departments to reduce criminal activity, particularly in areas surrounding abandoned and deteriorating properties. I would also push for the enforcement of existing ordinances requiring property owners to address or demolish dangerous structures being used for illegal activities, at the owners’ expense where legally permissible. Additionally, I would prioritize cleaning up trash-filled vacant lots and neglected properties. My goal is to achieve measurable progress in reducing crime, eliminating hazardous structures, and restoring pride in District 1 neighborhoods.

Vidal “Cowboy” Conde

1. Do you support the City of Corpus Christi moving forward with the proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant? Please answer “yes” or “no.” Briefly explain your answer.

NO, I do not support the Inner Harbor desalination. The Inner Harbor has contaminants, PFAS (forever chemicals), estrogens, hormones and medicines that cannot be removed through reverse osmosis. This project will leave a legacy of death, contamination, and destruction to the citizens of Corpus Christi and its bays.

2. Regardless of your answer above, which option or combination of options should Corpus Christi prioritize for its long-term water supply and why?

I believe Corpus Christi should have a diversified water portfolio. It is important that we build a desalination facility as part of that portfolio, however this desalination facility should be constructed at either Barney M. Davis Power Plant in Flour Bluff or at Harbor Island, where we can desalinate cleaner fresher water and expel the brine out into the Gulf. We must distance ourselves from utilizing our aquifers for municipal consumption. The aquifers were meant for rural residents, farmers, agriculture, livestock, and wildlife! NOT FOR HIGH MUNICIPALITY USAGE!

3. With the street maintenance fee no longer available, how should Corpus Christi pay for continued street repairs and maintenance?

We need to adjust our budget, redirect, and allocate funds for continued street repairs and maintenance. We also need to find ways to create income by revamping our tourism.

My 3 main goals for District 1 are to assure Corpus Christi becomes a Tourism Mecca by implementing:

A large passenger Cruise Ship Industry at the Port of Corpus Christi (approximately five hundred immediate jobs).Create a Boardwalk and smaller vessel Passenger Cruise Ship line at North Beach.Bring a Bass Pro Shop to District 1

These projects will signify the beginning of a potential $1B dollar a year industry that will eventually offset our current debt of over $3B. These projects will be in District 1 but will resonate throughout the entire city of Corpus Christi, Texas.

District 2

Selena Guerra

Jen Allende

1. Do you support the City of Corpus Christi moving forward with the proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant? Please answer “yes” or “no.” Briefly explain your answer.

No not as the Inner Harbor project currently stands. I am not opposed to desalination, and I will not make decisions based on a predetermined position. Coming from general construction, I want to understand a project from start to finish: construction cost, water production, operating and maintenance costs, environmental impacts, timeline, funding and the impact on ratepayers. If the facts, engineering and financial analysis demonstrate that concerns can be resolved and the project can provide reliable water at a responsible cost, then yes, I would be willing to reconsider and move forward. Leadership means asking hard questions, listening to the evidence and being willing to change course when the facts support a better decision. My responsibility is to make the decision that best serves Corpus Christi—not defend a position simply because I took it during a campaign.

2. Regardless of your answer above, which option or combination of options should Corpus Christi prioritize for its long-term water supply and why?

Corpus Christi needs a diversified water portfolio, not dependence on one project. I would prioritize expanding reuse, repairing water loss in existing infrastructure, conservation, groundwater and other regional sources while continuing to evaluate desalination. Coming from general construction, I look at a project from start to finish: What will it produce? What does it cost to build? What will operations and maintenance cost? When will it be completed, and who pays? I am not opposed to desalination; I believe every option must prove its long-term value and affordability. We also need meaningful collaboration with industry, neighboring communities and regional partners so residents are not expected to carry an unfair share of the cost

3. With the street maintenance fee no longer available, how should Corpus Christi pay for continued street repairs and maintenance?

With the street maintenance fee no longer available, how should Corpus Christi pay for continued street repairs and maintenance? Corpus Christi has historically used multiple funding sources for streets rather than only the street maintenance fee. City budget documents show General Fund transfers, industrial-district revenue and dedicated property-tax funding have been used for street maintenance/reconstruction. Street maintenance has to become a protected budget priority, not something we address only when another funding source appears. I would begin by identifying a dependable annual General Fund commitment for preventative maintenance, continue using eligible industrial-district revenues and dedicated residential-street funding, and reserve voter-approved bonds primarily for major reconstruction rather than routine maintenance. Preventative maintenance matters because allowing a street to deteriorate until it requires complete reconstruction costs taxpayers more. I also want every street dollar publicly trackable—street, funding source, contractor, original contract amount, change orders, schedule and completion. Before asking residents for another fee, City Hall should clearly show what we currently collect, where it goes and what results it produces.

Within my first six months, I would work to establish a District 2 infrastructure accountability dashboard built from the City’s existing systems. Residents should be able to see reported street, sidewalk, drainage and other infrastructure concerns; when they were reported; their status; and, for funded projects, the funding source, budget, contractor, change orders, schedule and completion status. I would also publish a District 2 project inventory so residents can see what has been promised, funded, started and completed. The City already gives residents work-order numbers through 311; my goal is to make that information easier to follow from request to result. If we can track a pizza from order to delivery, residents should be able to track a city repair and their tax dollars too.

Isabel Araiza

Laura Flores Commons

1. Do you support the City of Corpus Christi moving forward with the proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant? Please answer “yes” or “no.” Briefly explain your answer.

Yes. I support moving forward with the Inner Harbor desalination plant, as well as the other viable desalination projects. Inner Harbor has undergone extensive study and modeling, and TCEQ’s review concluded the proposed discharge would meet water-quality requirements.

Protecting our environment is extremely important to me, and I would not support a project if I did not believe it could be done safely. Ultimately, citizens are not focused on one particular project. They want water security and confidence that their water will be safe, affordable, and will not hurt our bay.

2. Regardless of your answer above, which option or combination of options should Corpus Christi prioritize for its long-term water supply and why?

We need a diversified water portfolio. We cannot continue to rely primarily on surface water, and groundwater should be a backup used only when absolutely necessary. We must add desalination because it gives us a drought-resistant water source.

Drought is not going away, and competition for state and federal funding will only increase. We need to move forward now and aggressively pursue every available grant dollar to reduce the financial burden on our ratepayers.

3. With the street maintenance fee no longer available, how should Corpus Christi pay for continued street repairs and maintenance?

With the street maintenance fee no longer available, we have to make streets a priority within our existing budget. That means taking a hard look at spending, identifying savings, and dedicating more General Fund dollars to street maintenance and repairs. I understand the current council is already looking at funding options, and I am following those discussions closely. We also need to aggressively pursue state and federal funding wherever available. Our streets cannot be put on hold simply because one funding source is gone.

Water will be one of my top priorities because it affects every aspect of our community and our future. In my first six months, I want to see us move a desalination project forward. Securing a reliable, drought-resistant water source has to remain a priority.

Specifically for District 2, my goal is to get back to basics, and that includes stronger code enforcement. We need to do a better job enforcing the rules already in place, and I want to work with city staff to identify where the gaps are and what we need to do differently.

One example is our stray animal problem. We already have a city ordinance requiring dogs and cats over six months of age to be spayed or neutered, but it is not an ordinance many people know about. We need to make the community aware of the rules and then enforce them consistently.

In my first six months, I want to see progress on our water future and noticeable improvement in how we enforce the rules and take care of our District 2 neighborhoods.

District 3

Jessica Villarreal

Robert Rocha

Eric Cantu

1. Do you support the City of Corpus Christi moving forward with the proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant?

No. I have been clear from day one: I am not against desalination. I am against this project, at this location, at this cost. I will not support putting a billion-dollar project on the backs of working families, seniors on fixed incomes and small businesses without knowing we have exhausted every better and more affordable option. I represent the people who are going to have to pay these bills, and that is who I am going to keep fighting for.

2. Regardless of your answer above, which option or combination of options should Corpus Christi prioritize for its long-term water supply and why?

I don’t believe we should put all our eggs in one basket. We should be looking at groundwater, water reuse, brackish desalination, maximizing the water infrastructure we already have, and seawater desalination at the right location and the right price.

I support desalination when it makes sense. What I don’t support is rushing into a massive project just because somebody says it is our only option. We need water, but we also need to be able to afford it.

3. With the street maintenance fee no longer available, how should Corpus Christi pay for continued street repairs and maintenance?

Streets are one of the basic responsibilities of city government, and we have to treat them that way when we build our budget. We need to protect the money already dedicated to streets, continue programs that are actually getting streets repaired, go after every state and federal dollar available, and look at where we can cut unnecessary spending before asking taxpayers for another fee.

People already pay taxes. They expect us to take care of the basics with the money they give us.

4. What is one specific, measurable result you would seek to accomplish during your first six months in office?

District 3 already has streets identified that need to be fixed. The problem is many of them are sitting on a list waiting for funding or are scheduled years down the road. In my first six months, I want to move as many of those streets forward as possible by finding the funding and getting actual work started. I don’t want to make another list. I want to get the streets already on the list DONE.

Another major priority for me is Animal Care Services and moving Corpus Christi toward becoming a no-kill city. I’ve already brought this issue to the Council, and I’m not giving up on it. Animals should not lose their lives simply because we run out of space. I want to see measurable progress toward reducing unnecessary euthanasia, increasing adoptions and rescues, and putting Corpus Christi on a real path toward no-kill.

For me, it’s simple: finish the work we’ve already started and deliver results people can actually see.

District 4

Joshua Anderson

1. Do you support the City of Corpus Christi moving forward with the proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant? Please answer “yes” or “no.” Briefly explain your answer.

Absolutely. The Inner Harbor Desalination Plant needs permitted, approved, and to move forward — it is one of the primary reasons I am running for this council. This city came dangerously close to a water crisis, and that vulnerability has not been resolved. Every day of further delay increases our risk, wastes public investment already made, and jeopardizes our bond standing. If elected, advancing this plant is my first priority. There is no acceptable excuse for continued inaction.

2. Regardless of your answer above, which option or combination of options should Corpus Christi prioritize for its long-term water supply and why?

No single source is sufficient — long-term water security requires a layered strategy built around several complementary options.

Desalination must be the cornerstone. The Inner Harbor plant is the immediate priority, followed by the La Quinta Channel second plant and evaluation of the Barney Davis site. Together, these facilities provide the large-scale, reliable supply this growing city requires. Water reuse is the next critical layer. Treated wastewater is a resource we are currently discarding. Investing in reuse infrastructure and partnering with industry to shift high-volume users to reclaimed water frees up potable supply for residents and reduces overall system demand.

Groundwater projects — the Evangeline Groundwater Project and wells along the Nueces River — serve as a valuable bridge supply while permanent infrastructure is developed, but must not be mistaken for long-term solutions. Aquifer resources are finite and vulnerable to drought.

Finally, a regional water authority that brings municipalities, industry, and agriculture to the table around shared planning and investment can accomplish more than any single entity working alone.

The combination of desalination, reuse, responsible groundwater use, and regional collaboration is the only strategy capable of meeting the challenge ahead.

3. With the street maintenance fee no longer available, how should Corpus Christi pay for continued street repairs and maintenance?

The loss of the street maintenance fee does not mean streets stop deteriorating — it means we must find the funding elsewhere, and that starts with looking hard at how we are already spending money.

My approach begins with a forensic audit of city expenditures. Before asking residents to pay more, we owe them a clear accounting of where current dollars are going. My strong suspicion is that the audit will reveal significant room for reallocation.

Specifically, I would examine funding directed to private nonprofits that should be self-sustaining, and restructure compensation for city officials whose salaries are not proportional to the size and needs of this community. Those dollars belong to residents — and crumbling streets are a more pressing need than administrative overhead.

Street maintenance is a core government function. It should be funded like one—from the general budget, prioritized over discretionary expenditures, and managed with full transparency.

I will not support new fees or taxes until we can demonstrate to residents that every existing dollar has been accounted for and spent wisely. That accountability comes first.

Within my first six months, I will secure a council vote to resume active development of the Inner Harbor Desalination Plant — with a defined timeline, assigned accountability, and a public progress report delivered to District 4 residents.

That means no more studies, no more deferrals, and no more excuses. The permits exist. The approvals exist. What has been missing is the political will to act. I will provide that will from day one and measure success by a single clear standard: is this plant moving forward, yes or no?

Six months is enough time to get that answer on the record — and I intend to make it yes.

Kristina Nelson

1. Do you support the City of Corpus Christi moving forward with the proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant? Please answer “yes” or “no.” Briefly explain your answer.

A Gulf discharge is extremely important for any and all marine desalination. If Inner Harbor does not include a Gulf discharge, then No. I am open to the location that provides the most reliable water at the most responsible long-term cost. Locations should be evaluated alongside all viable desalination options based on permitting, construction timeline, capacity, environmental requirements, financing, operating cost, and ultimately the impact on ratepayers.

2. Regardless of your answer above, which option or combination of options should Corpus Christi prioritize for its long-term water supply and why?

Corpus Christi is facing a serious long-term water security challenge. Our existing water supplies have been strained by drought, population and economic growth, and increasing demand. We need reliable new water sources, but simply adding supply is not enough. Affordability must be part of every decision. Even the Texas Water Development Board requires every water supply project to be Affordable, Feasible and Viable. My goal is dependable, long-term water security that protects both the taxpayer and the ratepayer and supports families, small businesses, and responsible economic growth.

We relied too heavily for too long on a limited number of surface-water sources while demand continued to grow. At the same time, the City studied multiple alternatives without bringing enough diversified supply online. Drought exposed those vulnerabilities. Going forward, we need better long-range planning and a diversified water portfolio so Corpus Christi is never again dependent on one project or one source to solve our water needs.

3. With the street maintenance fee no longer available, how should Corpus Christi pay for continued street repairs and maintenance?

The Street User Maintenance Fee provided preventative-maintenance funding for a decade before its sunset in late 2023. In 2025, City Council revisited re-establishing a similar fee, but the proposal failed. Our streets continue to be a primary concern for many residents. Unfortunately, not enough improvements have been made, even while the fee was in place. Instead of placing additional fees on residents, it seems that street repairs and maintenance could be paid for by existing tax revenue. If we move to a zero-based budgeting system, we could potentially save the city millions of dollars, which could be used to address our deteriorating streets.

Specifically related to District 4, I seek to ensure that the Island Mobility Plan implementation moves forward and to address the visibly blighted and dilapidated structures in District 4 that are safety hazards for the community and our first responders. District 4 has numerous properties that have received citations for years without further action taken by the city. Such structures are often used as drug houses and human trafficking sites. There must be forced action on such chronic problem properties to ensure the safety of residents and first responders.

Stacie Garrecht

Dan Herrington

1. Do you support the City of Corpus Christi moving forward with the proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant? Please answer “yes” or “no.” Briefly explain your answer.

YES – A diversified water portfolio is needed for our region to grow, and I believe desalination should play a critical part of our long-term water security. Lack of action has negatively impacted our city’s credibility, and our standing as a whole with our regional, state and federal partners. I fully support the Inner Harbor Desalination project. The multitude of studies and testing completed over a number of years has indicated that the project can be done, and that it can be done in a safe and responsible manner. Furthermore, I believe it is important to work with our State and Federal partners to secure all Grant funding possible to keep our local rates as low as possible.

2. Regardless of your answer above, which option or combination of options should Corpus Christi prioritize for its long-term water supply and why?

I believe that when it comes to water, a diversified approach is needed to meet the needs of our community for years to come. In the mid-term, I am in favor of efforts the city has taken to conserve, bring on additional wells, and the reuse of wastewater to our industrial users. I also favor the City’s recent efforts to change reservoir water release requirements. Additionally, efforts should focus on securing State and Federal grant money where available for desalination and ultimately the construction of the inner-harbor desalination plant.

3. With the street maintenance fee no longer available, how should Corpus Christi pay for continued street repairs and maintenance?

Recent estimates indicate that removing the street maintenance fee caused the timeline to go from 12 years to 62 years to fix our residential streets. I believe removing the fee was a mistake and would support reimplementation and a re-evaluation of how streets are selected for repair to prioritize fixing those in the most need first.

In the first 6 months in office, I will vote to advance the Inner Harbor project to and restore confidence in the city’s ability to provide this critical, basic resource. The economic viability of Corpus Christi is directly tied to solving our regional water challenges, and securing our water future must be the top priority of the next City Council.

District 5

Joseph Borkouski

Kusumakar Sooda

David Pena

John Hanzalik

1. Do you support the City of Corpus Christi moving forward with the proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant? Please answer “yes” or “no.” Briefly explain your answer.

I do support moving forward with the Inner Harbor Seawater Desalination Project. It is fully permitted and the majority of the funding is available and it is the only project eligible for Federal grants.

2. Regardless of your answer above, which option or combination of options should Corpus Christi prioritize for its long-term water supply and why?

I envision the Coastal bend as a water hub for the state of Texas. Start with Inner Harbor, then start looking for other viable Desal projects.

3. With the street maintenance fee no longer available, how should Corpus Christi pay for continued street repairs and maintenance?

Corpus Christi needs to get more efficient with street repairs. I would like to see investments made into concrete roads which hold up considerably better than asphalt. I believe you fund infrastructure projects by encouraging investment and growth injecting more revenue to the budget.

Secure a long term drought proof solution. Move forward with Inner Harbor!

Merida Gonzalez Forrest

1. Do you support the City of Corpus Christi moving forward with the proposed Inner Harbor desalination plant? Please answer “yes” or “no.” Briefly explain your answer.

No, I do not support the City of Corpus Christi moving forward with the proposed Inner Harbor seawater desalination plant. It would place unfair long-term debt on residential ratepayers, provide limited capacity under the 30 MGD permit, and pose negative environmental impacts from high-salinity discharge into our bay. I support responsible desalination, offshore intake and discharge into the Gulf. We must protect our bays and marine ecosystems, and ensure projects are fiscally responsible and industry pays its fair share of water costs.

2. Regardless of your answer above, which option or combination of options should Corpus Christi prioritize for its long-term water supply and why?

We need a diversified, fiscally responsible water strategy that prioritizes conservation, responsible desalination, sustainable groundwater, industrial effluent reuse, and Aquifer Storage and Recovery. Desalination with offshore intake and discharge, such as Barney Davis and Harbor Island, rather than Inner Harbor, to protect our bays and marine ecosystems that is cost-effective and does not unfairly burden residents. Groundwater should be for emergencies, not treated as a long-term solution as we need to protect private wells and rural communities from excessive pumping. The City should also invest in Aquifer Storage and Recovery to store treated water underground during wet periods and recover it during droughts, improving drought resilience while reducing evaporation losses.

3. With the street maintenance fee no longer available, how should Corpus Christi pay for continued street repairs and maintenance?

Corpus Christi needs to prioritize the streets in the worst condition, use bond funding responsibly for major reconstruction – without placing an unfair burden on residents, pursue state and federal grants, and hold contractors accountable for quality work. I support a long-term plan that fixes streets before they become more expensive to repair. Residents deserve safe streets, responsible spending, and transparency about where their tax dollars go.

Within my first six months, I would push for a clear, public report explaining how proposed water projects will affect our water bills per 1,000 gallons, the city’s long-term debt, and how much industry will contribute. Residents deserve this information in an easy-to-understand format, not just at City Council meetings. I would work with elected officials to pursue state and federal grants to help fund regional water projects. I would also push for a review of major industrial agreements and tax incentives to identify ways industry can pay its fair share of infrastructure and service costs. I would review the city budget for potential savings, strengthen spending oversight, and protect essential services. My goal is simple – put residents first, protect ratepayers, and make our city work better for everyone.

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