Houston City Council is composed of 11 council members who represent certain districts, or geographical areas of Houston, and five at-large council members, who represent the entire city. Voters can only vote in elections for district council members if they live within the district, but all Houston residents who are eligible to vote can cast a ballot in at-large elections.
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.
For more information about voting in Harris County, visit www.harrisvotes.com. For more election coverage, got to communityimpact.com/voter-guide.
Conchita Reyes
Experience:
20 years of accounting experience; small-business owner, business consultant; community leader
Occupation:
Small-business owner, Fractional CFO
Candidate Website:
https://www.voteconchitareyes.com
Contact Information:
713-283-8551
Why did you choose to run in this election?
The time is right to utilize my 20 years of accounting and small-business expertise and knowledge. I want to implement a strategic plan of how Houston will look in the next 20 years. We owe it to our children and their children as an investment.
If elected, what would your top priorities be entering your first year in office?
My top priorities upon entering office would be to reconcile the budget, properly fund police and firefighters, rehabilitate our roads, improve efficiencies of department services, and establish preventative measures for flooding and disaster.
What do you think are the biggest issues right now facing Houstonians?
Houston’s budget is the most pressing issue as it is the foundation for providing quality services to our residents. I will carefully review the city's budget using my accounting expertise, and search for opportunities to streamline expenses and enhance revenue opportunities. I will focus on managing our finances responsibly.
Eriq Glenn
Experience:
In the Army I learned leadership. City planning has taught me how to work with communities to get results for Houston neighborhoods.
Occupation:
Army Reserve captain; city planner at Houston Planning & Development Department
Candidate Website:
https://www.eriqglenn.com
Contact Information:
713-885-3019
Why did you choose to run in this election?
I’m running because I want to implement policies that make Houston neighborhoods safer, more resilient and economically prosperous. In the Army, I learned the value of strong leadership, commitment to excellence and to relentlessly pursue results, and I want to bring those values to City Hall.
If elected, what would your top priorities be entering your first year in office?
Safety through community policing, changing the codes and ordinances to make city services faster and more responsive, fixing our broken local commercial corridors, and serious neighborhood planning
What do you think are the biggest issues right now facing Houstonians?
It depends on where you live, but in general, safety, flooding and illegal dumping [are the biggest issues].
Julian Ramirez
Experience:
Worked with [Houston Police Department] on cases; prosecuted corruption and violent crime; volunteer, service projects throughout Houston
Occupation:
Attorney
Candidate Website:
https://www.julianramirezforhouston.com
Contact Information:
832-292-1710
Why did you choose to run in this election?
I’m running to serve my city. As a semi-retired attorney of 33 years, I believe my experience prosecuting violent crimes and public corruption in our courts would help make our city safer and more honest. City Council needs bold voices to act as the conscience of the mayor when necessary.
If elected, what would your top priorities be entering your first year in office?
My top priorities would be to 1) increase the number of officers on our streets and reduce the backlog of 3,700 cases at the crime lab; 2) increase funding for repair of roads and infrastructure; and 3) serve as a watchdog, attacking waste, inefficiency and corruption in city government.
What do you think are the biggest issues right now facing Houstonians?
Besides public safety, roads and infrastructure, and waste as mentioned above, the city needs to reform our permitting processes, eliminate or adjust regulations that drive up housing costs, encourage business development and job creation, and reform our ethics rules to eliminate conflicts of interest in the awarding of contracts.
Kendall Baker
Experience:
30 years of Houston experience, created/managed 311 Helpline; Houston ISD Board; small-business owner
Occupation:
Small-business owner; insurance adjuster; pastor
Candidate Website:
http://bakerforhouston.com
Contact Information:
832-858-4831
Why did you choose to run in this election?
It is an open seat due to term limits, and I’m available to serve.
If elected, what would your top priorities be entering your first year in office?
Funding police and fire, improving infrastructure and quality of life, education, and customer service
What do you think are the biggest issues right now facing Houstonians?
Crime, decaying infrastructure, financial problems
Leah Wolfthal
Experience:
Center for Urban Transformation, executive director and prior roles; Feeding Texas, program specialist; and more
Occupation:
Nonprofit leadership
Candidate Website:
https://www.leahforhouston.com
Contact Information:
281-825-2744
Why did you choose to run in this election?
I believe in the Houston dream: that everyone, from any background, should be able to build a full life and thrive! Working in community, I reached a point of frustration; I want basic city services to meet our core needs, and for decision-making to be transparent and include impacted stakeholders.
If elected, what would your top priorities be entering your first year in office?
We have a historical annual budget deficit that has been growing and that we need to address. This impacts spending for many other needs that residents care about (e.g. safety, infrastructure, trash pickup). Relatedly, let’s work to bring more federal dollars to Houston for infrastructure and other priorities.
What do you think are the biggest issues right now facing Houstonians?
Some of the top citywide issues are safety, infrastructure (including flooding/disaster concerns, water pipes breaking, sewers leaking, roads, transit options) and housing choices. Houston is diverse, and different neighborhoods and stakeholders face different challenges. For some, it’s illegal dumping; for others, it’s stray animals or homelessness.
Melanie Miles
Experience:
Attorney; degrees in computer systems and business finance; volunteer lawyer for civic organizations and nonprofits
Occupation:
Attorney
Candidate Website:
https://www.milesforhouston.com
Contact Information:
346-229-3997
Why did you choose to run in this election?
Because of my commitment to public service and dedication to improving the lives of Houston residents. My experience working with City Council and advocating for citizens has given me insight into our community's concerns, from infrastructure to housing. I want to be a strong advocate for the people of Houston.
If elected, what would your top priorities be entering your first year in office?
My top priorities in my first year in office would be: 1) Transitioning officers to patrol roles from clerical positions; 2) Streamlining the city’s [information technology] and permitting departments to eliminate inefficiencies; 3) Tackling illegal dumping through stricter ordinances and robust enforcement procedures.
What do you think are the biggest issues right now facing Houstonians?
The most pressing issues for Houstonians are public safety across all neighborhoods and our deteriorating infrastructure, affecting flooding and maintenance of streets and drains. These challenges are critical to our city's growth and residents' well-being.
