I love my hometown of Corpus Christi. I want to continue to build on our great city’s future. My proven leadership roles nationally, statewide and locally, as well as my successful business career set the foundation to serve as your Mayor. Additionally, my track record of building consensus on many initiatives utilizing my in-depth experience in balancing budgets, leveraging cost efficiencies, strategic infrastructure planning, and playing a key role in recruiting over $40 billion in new job-creating investments in our region will serve well as your next mayor. After 40 years of neglect, Corpus Christi faced huge problems with water quality and crumbling streets. Under my leadership, we launched massive efforts to fix them. I led the effort to implement the Streets Preventative Maintenance Program. Since, 2012 we have quadrupled the number of streets we have maintained. Under my leadership, we were able to secure our long-term water supply with the completion of Mary Rhodes Pipe Line Phase II when Corpus Christi was in danger of running out water. But we have so much more work to do. I believe in our great city of Corpus Christi and want to build on the momentum in moving our city forward.
A favorite Corpus Christi memory?
It was Spring of 2005 when Whataburger Baseball Field opened. My Dad was still alive and our family was attending a Corpus Christi Hooks baseball game. We were watching the kids play on the berms and we also danced at our seats and sang together to “Take Me Out to The Ball Game” in the 7th inning stretch. We shared so much laughter and excitement while watching the great game of baseball. I remember Mom, Dad, myself and brothers and sisters sitting there in our seats just in awe of our new baseball field. We were amazed to also have a front row seat to watch large oceangoing vessels and their tiny tugboat escorts navigate the port's ship channel with a view of our iconic Harbor Bridge. There was a perfect breeze coming off the bay and it all seemed so magical. It was a great family memory. I was so grateful my parents chose to raise their family in my hometown. I thought to myself, “I love Corpus Christi.”
What is your favorite taco?
Bacon & egg with cilantro on corn tortilla.