Why are you running for this office? What special skills/experience make you uniquely qualified to be Mayor?
I am running because I love Houston and want to bring my broad experience to help build its future. I will use the experience I gained at City Hall as an at-large Council Member working under two Mayors, chaired many Council committees successfully, served as a Deputy Agriculture Commissioner for the State of Texas and as a Municipal Judge, and my 28 terms serving in Congress delivering results for Houston. I have impacted every Bayou in the city of Houston providing flood mitigation federal funding. I have been a leader in securing federal housing dollars. As a member of the Homeland Security Committee I have been a leader in human and sex trafficking. And I have steered federal funds to the Houston Police Department and HISD for science and research projects. I am known for working hard and delivering results. I want to lead Houston into the future.
CITY SERVICES
What are the basic services the City of Houston should guarantee to all of its residents and what measurable steps will you take to provide these services?
As Mayor I will work on law enforcement relationships with the community, build a comprehensive transportation system, be an education Mayor that collaborates with all of our school districts and hold them accountable for academic excellence, have city-wide workforce training, and develop a plan for upgrading our water, wastewater and drainage systems.
PUBLIC SAFETY
What essential elements do you believe must be included in a comprehensive public safety plan for Houston?
Well before I announced I have been discussing public safety in the City of Houston. As Mayor I will target high crime areas, clean up the areas, and install LED lighting to provide high visibility. The Midtown area is an example of what should happen in all our high crime areas. I will improve coordination among all law enforcement agencies within the city of Houston and Harris County, expand our cadet classes, bring resources to fight violence and youth violence, actively engage more mental health treatment services, tackle human and sex trafficking and provide workforce training across the city.
ECONOMY
What steps should the City take now to lay the groundwork needed to ensure a strong economy for Houston and its residents in the coming years?
My administration will support small and women owned businesses, expand technologies and artificial intelligence, expand our medical research footprint, provide work training and expand trade skills, work with our colleges and universities to provide expanded skilled workforce training, and expand our opportunity as the energy capital of the world to the renewable energy sector.
