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Bryan voters will decide between incumbent Bobby Gutierrez and challenger Rafael D. Peña III Nov. 3 in Bryan's mayoral race.
Early voting runs from Oct. 19 to Oct. 30, and Election Day is Nov. 3.
The last day to register to vote is Oct. 5.
For more information on voting and polling locations, visit the Brazos County Elections Administration's website. For more election coverage, visit www.communityimpact.com.
Candidates were asked to keep Q&A responses within 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.
Rural carrier
Why are you running for mayor of Bryan?
I am running because I believe Bryan needs greater accountability, good governance and effective communication. My priorities include responsible use of taxpayer dollars, improving infrastructure, investing in our neighborhoods, youth and seniors, and ensuring residents have a City Hall that listens, speaks plainly and spends wisely.
What challenges does Bryan face?
Bryan faces aging infrastructure, traffic congestion, housing affordability and the need to manage growth responsibly. We also need greater communication between City Hall and residents and careful oversight of taxpayer-funded projects. Growth should strengthen our neighborhoods while protecting taxpayers and maintaining the services residents depend on.
What projects are most important for the city to focus on for the future of Bryan?
Infrastructure, streets, water and utilities must remain priorities. I also want greater investment in youth and senior opportunities and better use of existing city assets. Economic development should create quality jobs while including clear benchmarks and accountability whenever public resources are committed.
With the planned Terafab project in Grimes County, a data research center at RELLIS and Messer, how should the city balance those developments with resident concerns over power and water usage, along with rising costs?
Economic development should not come at the expense of residents or essential resources. Before supporting resource-intensive development, the city should understand its water and power demands and establish agreements that protect residents, infrastructure and utility reliability. Growth should benefit Bryan without shifting unreasonable costs or risks onto taxpayers.
How will you ensure your constituents can access affordable housing?
Bryan should expand opportunities for homeownership while preserving affordable housing. I support strengthening first-time homebuyer assistance, partnering with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity to increase affordable single-family homes, and encouraging responsible development that expands housing supply without displacing established neighborhoods.
Business owner
Why are you running for mayor of Bryan?
I’m running because Bryan has tremendous momentum, and there is still important work to finish. I believe public service means leaving your community better than you found it. I want to continue strengthening our economy, infrastructure, public safety and quality of life while planning responsibly for future generations.
What challenges does Bryan face?
Our greatest challenge is managing growth responsibly while protecting affordability and quality of life. Growth creates opportunity, but also increases demands on streets, utilities, housing and public safety. We must plan ahead, maintain financial discipline and ensure infrastructure keeps pace with Bryan’s continued development.
What projects are most important for the city to focus on for the future of Bryan?
Infrastructure must remain a priority: streets, drainage, water, wastewater and electric capacity. We must also continue investing in public safety, workforce development, our airport, parks and economic development. I believe in planning with a 100-year vision while executing that vision responsibly in practical 10-year increments.
With the planned Terafab project in Grimes County, a data research center at RELLIS and Messer, how should the city balance those developments with resident concerns over power and water usage, along with rising costs?
Economic development must benefit residents, not burden them. Large projects should be evaluated individually for power, water, infrastructure and economic impact, with developers contributing appropriately to required infrastructure. We must protect reliability and affordability, expand capacity responsibly, reduce water loss and ensure growth strengthens Bryan’s utility and tax base.
How will you ensure your constituents can access affordable housing?
We need more housing choices at different price points. That means encouraging responsible development, infill and starter homes while keeping unnecessary costs and regulatory barriers down. We should also continue homebuyer assistance and rehabilitation programs while working with builders to increase supply and keep Bryan attainable for working families.
