Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
Meet the candidates
Candidates for Place 2 include incumbent Saul Gonzales and opponents Barbara Montana-Escobar, Brandon Oles, Joshua Paselk and Christopher L. Polanco.
Click here to read about the San Marcos City Council Place 1 candidates.
Saul Gonzales
Experience:
9 years on city council, 6 years on planning & zoning commission
Occupation:
Director of Facilities for Christus Santa Rosa Hospital San Marcos-Retired
Candidate Website:
https://saulvgonzales.wordpress.com
Contact Information:
(512) 749-2252
Why are you running for this office, and what’s the central issue you’re hoping to address?
I am running to ensure programs and changes that were started while I was a council member are completed. The major issue I hope to address is to support and encourage educational resources to provide a productive workforce for the San Marcos area.
What infrastructure projects would you like to see prioritized in the next term?
I want to see the capital improvement plan carried out that has been identified. This includes roads, drainage, sewage lines and pipelines.
If elected, how do you plan to address future growth?
I would encourage and reach out to environmentally friendly businesses to establish themselves in our area. This will provide jobs and income while protecting our river and air and water quality.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
I would promote quarterly town hall meetings involving citizens, government leaders, businesses and public safety officers. I would encourage neighborhood representatives to participate in town hall meetings. All groups would be able to express their opinions and concerns.
How do you approach collaboration with the city council and other stakeholders?
I like to listen to other peoples’ views and process their opinions before expressing my own. I then have information to make an educated decision before voting on the issue.
Barbara Montana-Escobar
Experience:
12 yrs started nonprofit Head to Toe, Parent liaison, advocate for families, Housing authority
Occupation:
Resident Service Coordinator
Candidate Website:
https://www.facebook.com/share/1CBZsHdBqK/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Contact Information:
(512) 665-3744
Why are you running for this office, and what’s the central issue you’re hoping to address?
I am running for office because I care deeply about San Marcos and its future. With rapid growth, we must balance opportunity with protecting our history, neighborhoods, and natural resources. My priority is responsible growth supporting families, small businesses, and ensuring residents have a strong voice in shaping our community.
What infrastructure projects would you like to see prioritized in the next term?
As San Marcos grows, we must invest in safe, reliable, and sustainable infrastructure. Housing is essential, along with improving roads, traffic flow, and sidewalks near schools and neighborhoods. We must also strengthen water and wastewater systems to meet demand while protecting the San Marcos River and our community’s future.
If elected, how do you plan to address future growth?
I plan to address future growth by ensuring it is thoughtful, responsible, and community centered. That means listening to residents, protecting our history and environment. Growth should balance opportunity with preserving San Marcos’ unique character, so families, students, and businesses can thrive while keeping our small-town feel.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
I plan to involve residents by creating more opportunities for open communication, transparency, and collaboration. This includes public forums, accessible city information, and stronger outreach to neighborhoods. I believe residents’ voices must guide planning , ensuring growth and decisions reflect community needs, not just outside interests or developers.
How do you approach collaboration with the city council and other stakeholders?
Candidate did not provide an answer to this question as of time of press.
Brandon Oles
Experience:
Sgt in the United States Marine Corps, President of the Veterans Alliance at Texas State, Senator in the TxSt Student Government.
Occupation:
Assistant Project Manager for General Contracting Firm
Candidate Website:
https://www.instagram.com/brandonoles4citycouncil https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61579054504292
Contact Information:
(936) 371-1500
Why are you running for this office, and what’s the central issue you’re hoping to address?
I'm running to unite the people of San Marcos. I'm not looking to represent just the left or the right, but all of our citizens. Because I believe what unites us is far more important than what divides us.
What infrastructure projects would you like to see prioritized in the next term?
We need to address our electrical grid and the strain put on it by our growing population. Solar panel incentive programs and requiring new buildings to be LEED certified to be more energy efficient might be a good place to start on lightening the load on our existing grid.
If elected, how do you plan to address future growth?
With San Antonio pushing north and Austin pushing south both residential and commercial growth is inevitable. We need to look to expanding and reinforcing both our electrical grid and water systems. As well as ensuring that future commercial development doesn't negatively impact our citizens.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
I'm here to serve the people of San Marcos and ensure that everyone of them feels represented and heard. A big part of that is not only making myself available to them but taking the time to sit down with them to understand and listen to their concerns.
How do you approach collaboration with the city council and other stakeholders?
t's important to approach collaboration with the understanding that everyone is going to have their own unique personal, political, and religious beliefs that will affect the way they approach certain policies and issues. Taking time to understand these different beliefs and their perspectives will be key in ensuring cooperation.
Joshua Paselk
Experience:
Small business owner with hands-on experience in construction, permitting, code compliance, and community growth.
Occupation:
Business Owner
Candidate Website:
https://joshsmtx.vote
Contact Information:
(512) 214-8771
Why are you running for this office, and what’s the central issue you’re hoping to address?
I'm running to ensure growth benefits residents, not burdens them. As a small business owner, I know growth management is key for us. I'll support responsible budgets and projects which generate much needed revenue for San Marcos while protecting our neighborhoods, (old and new) our water supply and the San…
What infrastructure projects would you like to see prioritized in the next term?
Drainage and flood control must come first. We also need safer roads, sidewalks, and school routes. Infrastructure should be planned responsibly so growth doesn’t leave residents dealing with traffic, flooding, or unsafe conditions.
If elected, how do you plan to address future growth?
I’ll support smart, balanced growth. Projects must show traffic, water, and utility readiness before approval. Growth should create attainable housing, protect neighborhoods, and preserve the San Marcos River, while ensuring developments contribute real community benefits.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
I’ll push for plain-language summaries of agenda items, public term sheets for big projects, and neighborhood meetings before major votes. Transparency builds trust, and residents deserve a clear say in city priorities and spending.
How do you approach collaboration with the city council and other stakeholders?
I’ll listen first, seek common ground, and focus on practical solutions. Whether working with council, Texas State, or local groups, collaboration must balance growth, fiscal discipline, and protecting community character. Unity matters more than politics.
Christopher L. Polanco
Experience:
Former firefighter/EMT (Indiana), Various working class jobs, Father, Disabled
Occupation:
Unemployed/Disabled (blind)/Student (Texas State)
Candidate Website:
Candidate did not provide website information as of time of press.
Contact Information:
(737) 443-9228
Why are you running for this office, and what’s the central issue you’re hoping to address?
I am running to offer a voice for the working class in San Marcos; particularly the disabled and poor communities. I really want to be part of the tenants’ rights discussion and see a push for a tenants’ bill of rights.
What infrastructure projects would you like to see prioritized in the next term?
I would like to see some road improvements. The roads near the Amazon warehouse in the Yarrington area should be widened due to the increased traffic. I would also like to see a real bridge build on Uhland Rd.
If elected, how do you plan to address future growth?
Strain on our resources such as water needs to be considered. We shouldn’t only look at the possible revenue without considering environmental or health costs the negate that revenue.
How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process?
I will not listen to eight hours of public comment during meetings expressing overwhelming opinion one way just to vote against the people of San Marcos. I want to go out into the community to talk to the people in town halls, forums, or just on the street.
How do you approach collaboration with the city council and other stakeholders?
We all have the best interests of San Marcos at heart; though, we may disagree on what that is or how to achieve common goals. At the end of the day, it is the needs of the people of San Marcos that matters.
