Key Facts
Party
N/A; nonpartisan election
Status
Challenger
Background
Ivan Sanchez graduated from the University of Houston with a BS in Political Science. Sanchez served on the Hispanic Advisory Committee Board for Houston from 2016 to 2018 [2]. He previously worked at Gold Quest Group, residential and commercial brokerage firm, as a Business Development Executive, and also worked in the Texas 18th Congressional Office [1][4]. Sanchez founded Houston Millennials, a nonprofit that provides job opportunities to millennials [2].
Key Issues
Crime
Sanchez believes that the government should work with local NGOs such as The Landing, Elijah Rising, and The Houston Area Women’s Center to assist those victimized by sex trafficking. He wants to fund increased patrols along Bissonet, where sex trafficking is high [1][3].
Public Safety
Sanchez wants to increase the number of full time police officers in the Houston Police Department, and ensure that police training is diverse to handle mental health crises, homeless outreach, and active shooter events [1].
Infrastructure
Sanchez wants to rehabilitate Sharpstown Mall and bring major city services, such as the police, to the center of the mall to improve the safety and the environment of the mall. Sanchez also wants to implement regular quarterly road inspections, invest in sidewalks, create more public parking, and improve street lighting [1].
Environment
Sanchez wants to invest in higher quality flood mitigation systems and rely on the wetlands of Houston. He also wants to increase fines on illegal dumpers of waste, and create a decontamination unit for targeted clean-up initiatives [1].
Endorsements
No endorsements could be found.
Sources
1 Vote Ivan Sanchez
2 LinkedIn
3 Facebook
4 BallotPedia
Key Facts
Party
N/A; nonpartisan election
Status
Challenger
Background
Key Issues
Crime
McGee would like to address rising occurrences of crimes that affect the safety and property of the people in the City of Houston by analyzing other cities’ successful plans. McGee hopes to implement similar measures in order to improve safety and prevent crime [1].
Infrastructure
McGee would like to focus on the inadequate drainage system that is prevalent within the City of Houston. In order to limit damages from rainfall and hurricanes, McGee proposes to address the draining issues of older constructions and homes, as well as new ones [1].
Public Safety
McGee would like to address the issues of dense streets and parking because it is unsafe for an emergency vehicle to not be able to get through due to cars parked on both sides of very narrow streets [1].
Endorsements
No endorsements could be found.
Sources
1 McGee for Houston
Key Facts
Party
N/A; nonpartisan election
Status
Challenger
Background
Mario graduated from Texas A&M University where he received his bachelor’s degree in Political Science and master’s degree in Public Health [2]. Mario began his career by helping individuals obtain health insurance through the Affordable Care Act [2]. He then served as the District H Chief of Staff in 2016 and later joined the Houston Health Department [2]. He is currently serving as the Executive Director of Your Houston [3].
Key Issues
Public Safety
Castillo supports the use of TIRZ 21 funds to pay for Houston Police Department overtime patrols. He would also like to implement the District J Patrol Partnership model he believes was successful. Moreover, Castillo wants to install remote monitor stations in public areas with high crime rates [2].
Community
Castillo would like to invest in small businesses and promote public-private partnerships in order to enhance the local economy and community. He would also like to provide neighborhoods with more amenities and tools to protect themselves from gentrification [2].
Health Care
Castillo would like to increase access to affordable healthcare through partnerships with the county and Harris Health. He wants to use mobile health clinics in areas without access to immediate care to do this [2].
Endorsements
Sylvia R. Garcia, United States Member of Congress, TX-29; Lesley Briones, Harris Country Commissioner; Marilyn Burgess, Harris County District Clerk; Robert Gallegos; Houston City Council Member; Anise Parker, President & CEO of Victroy Fund; Houston LGBTQ+ Political Caucus; Latino Victory Fund, Oak Forest Area Democrats, Houston Police Officers Union, Greater Heights Democratic Club, Seafarers International Union, Pipe Fitters Local Union 211, Houston Apartment Association, LGBTQ Victory Fund, Run for Something, 314 Action Fund, New Liberals of Houston, Secular Houston
Sources
1 Ballotpedia
2 Mario for Houston
3 LGBTQ+ Victory Fund
Key Facts
Party
N/A; nonpartisan election
Status
Challenger
Background
Fred Flickinger has been a resident of Houston for the past 50 years and works as a businessman in the area [1]. He owns Flickinger Machine, a business established in 1979 [1]. Before taking over the firm, Flickinger spent 27 years as an executive for a logistics company [1]. There, he served as the Director of Operations, overseeing 15 locations across ten states [1].
In his community, Flickinger most recently served as President of the Lake Houston Pachyderm Club [1]. Alongside Jim and Robin Lennon, he has served on the Kingwood TEA Party Leadership Board for the past nine years and has taken part as a delegate in the district and state conventions for the previous six election cycles [1]. He is a part of the Chairman’s Circle of the Harris County Republican Party [1]. Fred has long volunteered with the Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP), which pairs business professionals with incarcerated individuals to impart business knowledge and offer mentorship [1].
Key Issues
Crime
Flickinger supports additional funding for the Houston Police Department to hire more police officers and address staffing shortages. He also wants to invest in community policing programs and add more patrols in high-crime areas throughout Houston [3].
Community
Flickinger has proposed disbanding the mayor’s office of education and youth engagement, which links adolescents and young adults to after-school activities, job opportunities, and mental health resources. He believes that the office’s work could be managed by the Houston Independent School District (HISD), the Texas Education Agency, or other City Hall Offices. Flickinger also supports decreasing the current 12 weeks of paid parental leave that the city of Houston offers to male workers when they become fathers. He wants to scale back the installation of bike lanes in the city as well [3].
Infrastructure
Flickinger supports the Lake Houston Spillway Dam Improvement Project, which is centered around flood mitigation. He believes that the project needs consistent monitoring in order to become a reality [3].
Endorsements
Briscoe Cain, State Representative; Constable Phil Sandlin, Harris County Precinct 8; Scott Bowen, Clear Creek ISD Board of Trustees; Mike Grabowski, Humble ISD Board of Trustees; Harris County Republican Party; Kingwood TEA Party; Ted LeBlanc, District Four Senate District Chair; Gwendolyn Withrow, District Four State Republican Executive Committee; Dale Inman, District Four State Republican Executive Committee; Robert Jeter, District Eleven Senate District Chair; Dawn McDonald, District Six State Republican Executive Committee Chair; Scott Bowen, State Republican Executive Committee Chair; Charles Blain, Founder & Executive Director of Urban Reform & Urban Reform Institute; Bill Frazer, former candidate & Houston City Controller; Kyle Scott, former candidate & Harris County Treasurer
Sources
1 Official Website
2 Ballotpedia
3 Houston Chronicle
Key Facts
Party
N/A; nonpartisan election
Status
Challenger
Background
Martina Lemond Dixon graduated from Auburn University with a B.A. in Communications. She later obtained a Post Baccalaureate in Construction Management and an MA in Educational Leadership from Louisiana State University [1]. She later earned her MBA from Cornell University [3, 5]. She is currently the CEO of Unicorn Service Solutions, a project management and planning company [2, 3]. Aside from managing her organization, she serves as Board President of the Humble ISD School Board, Board Secretary of the Harris Central Appraisal District (HCAD), and Commissioner on the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), a position appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott [1]. Dixon is also a board member of the Texas Business Hall of Fame and a member of multiple local organizations such as the Houston Region Business Coalition and Greater Houston Builders Association. In her spare time, Dixon volunteers with the Jack and Jill of America, Inc., the Barbara Bush Ladies for Literacy Guild, the Downtown Rotary Club of Houston, and the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary [2].
Key Issues
Infrastructure
Dixon wants to prioritize flood management, mitigation, and infrastructure development given the implications of Hurricane Harvey. She hopes to increase proactivity in saving lives, homes, schools, and jobs in anticipation for future hurricanes, especially considering Houston’s location on the coast [1].
Law Enforcement
Dixon supports law enforcement and the full funding of the local Houston Police Department. She advocates for ample support and resources provided to local police officers [1].
Budget
Dixon backs fiscal responsibility and a transparent approach. She wants to implement no deficit and effectively utilize taxpayer dollars by initiating cost-effective and meaningful projects for her constituents [1].
Endorsements
No endorsements found.
Sources
1 Vote for Martina
2 Texas Commission on Law Enforcement
3 Linkedin
4 Ballotpedia
5 Twitter
6 Houston Chronicle
Key Facts
Party
N/A; nonpartisan election
Status
Challenger
Background
Danielle Keys Bess received her bachelor’s in Communications from the University of Texas at Arlington. Furthermore, in 2017,, she earned an Executive MBA from Texas Women’s University [1, 2, 3]. Professionally, she has worked as a consultant and at Womack Development & Investment Realtor as a real estate agent for 15 years [1]. She has worked for the Houston Association of Realtors and the Houston Black Real Estate Association [2]. In politics, she has been involved with the following campaigns: Obama for America in Houston, Sheila Jackson Lee for Congress campaign, Annise Parker for Mayor, and Ron Kirk for Senate campaign [1, 2]. Additionally, she is a board member for the Houston Texans Family YMCA [2, 3].
Key Issues
Infrastructure
Keys Bess supports investing more into disaster preparation infrastructure, including wastewater systems. She advocates for updating project timelines to prioritize preventative disaster measures [1].
Public Safety
Keys Bess wants to create more transparency with law enforcement agencies in Houston. She advocates for increased funding for mental health services and de-escalation training for providers and the public [1].
Environment
Keys Bess supports increasing resources dedicated to maintaining parks and recreation. She wants to ensure that waste is disposed of in environmentally friendly ways, including increased recycling [1].
Endorsements
Houston Chronicle Editorial Board; Black Women of Greater Houston Political Action Committee; Sylvia Garcia, U.S. Congresswoman; Carol Alvarado, Texas State Senator; Rev. Terry K. Anderson, Community & Spiritual Leader; Bun B, Rapper, Professor & Activist; Bill Baldwin; Jew Don Boney, former Houston Council Member; Jacqueline W. Bostic, First African-American Woman Postmaster; Clara Caldwell; Dr. Marcus Cosby; Diana Davila, former HISD Trustee; Rev. Reginald DeVaughn; Harold Dutton, Texas State Representative; Robert Gallegos, Houston Council Member; Adrian Garcia, Harris County Commissioner; Rev. Elmo Johnson; Shelley Kennedy; William A. Lawson; Dr. Sergio Lira, former HISD Trustee; Gene Locke, former Harris County Commissioner; Rev. James Nash; Elizabeth Santos, HISD Trustee; Anne Sung, former HISD Trustee; Trae Tha Truth
Sources
1 Danielle Keys Bess For Houston
2 Ballotpedia
3 LinkedIn
Key Facts
Party
N/A; nonpartisan election
Status
Challenger
Background
Dr. Michelle Fennick received her PhD in Educational Leadership and Administration from Prairie View A&M University. Dr. Fennick is the CEO of Consult Dr. Michelle, LLC, and President of the Fennick Foundation [5]. Alongside this, she works as an adjunct professor at Lamar University, and is former principal of Brookline Elementary, and School Support Officer of Houston Independent School District [2][4].
Key Issues
Communication
Dr. Fennick believes that the integration of technology into student education is vital to personalized learning and improving communication [2].
Teachers
Dr. Fennick wants to create comprehensive teacher development, with the integration of AI training, and improve teacher retention rates [2][6].
Budget
Dr. Fennick believes that teacher training and classroom resources need more funding [6].
Curriculum
Dr. Fennick believes that student success should not be measured solely in academic achievements, but also social, emotional, and critical thinking development [6].
Endorsements
No endorsements could be found.
Sources
1 Ballotpedia
2 CFISD
3 Instagram
4 Twitter
5 LinkedIn
6 Community Impact
Key Facts
Party
N/A; nonpartisan election
Background
Roy Vasquez received his bachelor’s degree and graduate degree from the University of Houston in 2008 and 2010. Vasquez previously worked as an educational consultant [1].
Key Issues
Homelessness
Vasquez believes that homelessness, while on the decline in Houston, still needs immediate attention. Vasquez wishes to implement supportive housing models and create better coordination among service providers. He believes it is the government’s responsibility to help assist the homeless through programs that the city should provide hourly wage opportunities for the homeless [2, 3].
Animal Welfare
Vasquez believes the current Houston government isn’t doing enough in regards to stray and sheltered animals [3]. Vasquez believes the responsibility to pick up stray animals falls to the animal control in Houston. He believes there needs to be an increase in spending for shelters and a push for animal welfare in education to help address this issue in Houston [2].
Infrastructure
Vasquez wants the City of Houston to focus on the quality of infrastructure for flooding and extreme weather events [3]. Vasquez also believes education can raise public awareness about climate challenges. Vasquez believes that Houston is on the right track by creating regulations on development in green areas [2].
Endorsements
None found.
Sources
1 Ballotpedia
2 Roy Vasquez for Mayor
3 Houston Public Media
Key Facts
Party
N/A; nonpartisan election
Background
Tatum studied Pre-Med at West Virginia State University and studied real estate through the Champions School of Real Estate in Texas. Aside from her experience as a real estate agent, she is also a certified Christian Counselor and the founder of the Collaborating Voices Foundation [2].
Key Issues
Transparency
Tatum believes that the government needs to do a better job of telling the public where money is going and which projects are being funded [1].
Endorsements
None found.
Sources
1 Ballotpedia
2 Linkedin
Key Facts
Party
N/A; nonpartisan election
Status
Challenger
Background
Maddrell received a B.A. in history and French from Capital University in 1975, before continuing her studies of American History at the University of Virginia. Maddrell then entered the United States Navy, where she served for 28 years in various roles, including Pol-Mil Planner with the Joint Staff and Executive Director of the Defense Task Force on Sexual Assault in the Military Services [3, 4].
Following her retirement from the Navy, Maddrell’s experience in politics include running for Virginia’s 8th Congressional Seat in the 2010 general elections and serving as the Hunter Hill Magisterial District Chair for the Virginia Republican Party. Maddrell has also involved herself in advocacy for issues such as abortion and education policy in Northern Virginia [6, 7].
Key Issues
Abortion
Maddrell supports pro-life policy and was a participant in the 2017 March for Life, where she expressed admiration for then-Vice President Mike Pence’s pro-life beliefs [6].
Education
Maddrell opposes educational policy which limits the influence of parents in their student’s academics. She wants to preserve both the “nuclear family dynamic” and ensure that teachers are protected from having their careers threatened because of policies involving transgender students [6].
Endorsements
No endorsements could be found.
Sources
1 Fairfax Republicans
2 X
3 LinkedIn
4 Inside NOVA
5 League of Women Voters of the Fairfax Area Education Fund
6 Virginia Regulatory Town Hall
7 USA Today
