Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey: Texas municipal roundup


Texas is holding elections, including for municipal offices, on May 6, 2023. A number of candidates running in these elections completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.

Below is a selection of responses from the candidates who filled out the survey as of April 9. To read each candidate’s full responses, click their name at the bottom of the article.

Incumbent Shelby Williams (nonpartisan) is running for Plano City Council Place 5 and the general election is on May 6. Here’s how Williams responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

“…So in no particular order, some of the areas I’m most passionate about are:

Public Safety, Property Taxes, Short-Term Rentals, Housing Mobility, Public Transit (DART) reform, Volunteer Management, Emergency Preparedness, Energy Reliability.”

Click here to read the rest of Williams’ answers. 

Pamela Boggess (nonpartisan) is running for Fort Worth City Council District 9 and the general election is on May 6. Here’s how Boggess responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

“Crime. The city’s number one responsibility is for families to feel safe in their neighborhoods. This takes a holistic approach to investing in public safety, better community policing and developing programs that build better relationships between public safety and our neighborhoods.”

Click here to read the rest of Boggess’ answers. 

Amy Cearnal (nonpartisan) is running for mayor of Arlington and the general election is on May 6. Here’s how Cearnal responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

“As a Realtor, I advocate for private property rights. As Mayor, I have to balance that advocacy with the rights of the citizens to work toward the best long term outcome for the city of Arlington. Land use is a major issue for our city and the experience that I have in talking with regional development partners and representatives from jurisdictions across the US gives me a unique perspective to look for appropriate solutions. With best case land use, we can plan for more sustainable city services.”

Click here to read the rest of Cearnal’s answers.

Italia De La Cruz (nonpartisan) is running for Fort Worth City Council District 6 and the general election is on May 6. Here’s how De La Cruz responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

“It’s imperative that law enforcement has the support they need to do their jobs properly. The residents of Fort Worth should have no doubt that our police are here to serve and protect. Building relationships between communities and law enforcement is part of that. I look forward to being a part of the solution in regards to safety in our streets.”

Click here to read the rest of De La Cruz’s answers.

Madison Gutierrez (nonpartisan) is running for San Antonio City Council District 10 and the general election is on May 6. Here’s how Gutierrez responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

“Fighting for our small businesses. San Antonio has about 34,000 small businesses and about 145,000 sole proprietorships. These are what bring tourists and business to our city. Helping these businesses is very important to me. My family owns a restaurant, so I know how much hard work and dedication goes into owning a business.”

Click here to read the rest of Gutierrez’s answers.

Irina Rudolph (nonpartisan) is running for San Antonio City Council District 6 and the general election is on May 6. Here’s how Rudolph responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

“When running in 2021, I discovered there were many homeless camps in District 6. Since that time the number of homeless camps have only increased. Now many are within close proximity to elementary schools, where needles and drugs can be found on a daily basis.”

Click here to read the rest of Rudolph’s answers.

If you’re a Texas candidate or incumbent, click here to take the survey. The survey contains over 30 questions, and you can choose the ones you feel will best represent your views to voters. If you complete the survey, a box with your answers will display on your Ballotpedia profile. Your responses will also populate the information that appears in our mobile app, My Vote Ballotpedia.

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