Four candidates running joint campaign for Corpus Christi City Council

Ashlee Burns, Corpus Christi Caller Times
·3 min read

Rain didn’t stop four Corpus Christi residents from gathering outside City Hall on Monday to announce their joint grassroots campaign for City Council as the “People’s Community Candidates.”

The candidates are Sylvia Campos, a part-time organizer running for District 2; Armon Alex, a community organizer running for District 3; Nancy Vera, the president of the Corpus Christi American Federation of Teachers running for an at-large seat; and Jim Klein, a history professor running for an at-large seat.

Each candidate shared their goals with a common theme of increased accountability, civic engagement and transparency.

Sylvia Campos, a candidate to represent District 2 on the Corpus Christi City Council, smiles after speaking at a campaign event at City Hall on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022. Campos is one of four candidates running a joint campaign as the self-described "People's Community Candidates."
Sylvia Campos, a candidate to represent District 2 on the Corpus Christi City Council, smiles after speaking at a campaign event at City Hall on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022. Campos is one of four candidates running a joint campaign as the self-described "People's Community Candidates."

Campos called for industry to pay its fair share and decried the city's plans for seawater desalination plants to shore up its water supply. Opponents have said the plants could harm marine and avian life.

“Desalination is primarily for industry," Campos said, adding that the public should decide what is best for the community. "We direct the city manager and we tell them what we want. That’s why you want individual candidates like us that are going to put you first.”

Campos’ concerns surrounding desalination were backed by Klein, who said the public will likely see water rates increase dramatically.

Corpus Christi City Council at-large candidate Jim Klein speaks to supporters at a campaign event at City Hall on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022. Klein is one of four candidates running a joint campaign as the self-described "People's Community Candidates."
Corpus Christi City Council at-large candidate Jim Klein speaks to supporters at a campaign event at City Hall on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022. Klein is one of four candidates running a joint campaign as the self-described "People's Community Candidates."

“If the industry wants this, it should pay for 100% of it,” Klein said.

Klein criticized the city’s lack of responsiveness to residents’ needs. He said the slow process of repairing streets affects local businesses and inconveniences homeowners.

He said that as a City Council member, he would advocate to start meetings at 5 p.m. Meetings usually start at 11:30 a.m., which Klein said does not allow residents to make public comments without taking time from work.

The candidates promised better city planning, including a city-wide climate action plan in preparation for the effects of climate change — something Alex, the District 3 candidate, said is normal in other major Texas cities.

Corpus Christi City Council District 3 candidate Armon Alex speaks to supporters at a campaign event at City Hall on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022. Alex is one of four candidates running a joint campaign as the self-described "People's Community Candidates."
Corpus Christi City Council District 3 candidate Armon Alex speaks to supporters at a campaign event at City Hall on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022. Alex is one of four candidates running a joint campaign as the self-described "People's Community Candidates."

“Within the past few years, we’ve seen an increase in extreme weather conditions, ranging from drought to winter storms,” Alex said. “We need to make sure that our city is prepared for the impacts of climate change.”

The group also expressed concerns about the the new Harbor Bridge. The Texas Department of Transportation halted construction on part of the bridge, which was expected to be complete in 2024, due to safety and design concerns and was initially slow to release information about those issues to the public.

Corpus Christi City Council at-large candidate Nancy Vera speaks to supporters at a campaign event at City Hall on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022. Vera and three other candidates are running a joint campaign as the self-described "People's Community Candidates."
Corpus Christi City Council at-large candidate Nancy Vera speaks to supporters at a campaign event at City Hall on Monday, Sept. 5, 2022. Vera and three other candidates are running a joint campaign as the self-described "People's Community Candidates."

“Why are they not accountable for this eyesore and now this mess that’s going to cost even more money from our pocketbooks?” Vera said. “We need people on City Council who are better caliber and who look out for the citizens of Corpus Christi.”

The deadline to register to vote is Oct. 11. Early voting is from Oct. 24 through Nov. 4, and Election Day is Nov. 8.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Four candidates running joint campaign for Corpus Christi City Council