El Paso Matters – Q&A: City of El Paso mayoral candidates in Nov. 5 general election

The mayor of El Paso is not a voting member of the City Council but can break ties, veto legislation, propose legislation and appoint members to powerful boards and commissions with council approval. The mayor is nonpartisan and serves a four-year term with an annual salary of about $94,557.

Who’s running for this seat?

Candidate Questionnaires

Candidates were asked to limit their responses to 100 words. Responses have been lightly edited for grammar.

What is your vision for the city of El Paso for the next 10 years and what needs to be done to get there?

Steven B. Winters: Eliminating property taxes for the elderly 70 years or older. Creating new taxpayers by helping our youth become property owners and tax paying workers. By helping our local school board trustees in creating different programs that will assist, grow and educate our youth in jobs that will create wealth. Assist our governor in helping migrants have an opportunity in life. I want to develop programs that find them jobs in our local area that citizens in America won’t do. Create citizen panels.

Renard U. Johnson: For too long, El Paso has been passed over for opportunities that have gone elsewhere. As a result, those higher wages, and our local graduates, have also gone elsewhere. Meanwhile, our property taxes continue to increase. My vision relies heavily on economic development in industries like aerospace, tech and medical to bring higher wages and opportunities to help us create a more vibrant and competitive El Paso. With additional commercial base, we can ease the burden of residential property taxes.

Cassandra Hernandez: El Paso will stand as a global hub of economic and cultural strength, fully leveraging its unique competitive advantages as a critical node in world affairs. By unlocking the socioeconomic value within our community, we will capture the wealth that comes from our strategic location and diverse talent. Through affordable housing and economic independence, we will ensure every El Pasoan thrives. With transparent governance we will build a city that commands attention on the world stage.

Elizabeth Cordova: We are at a pivotal moment in time. We need fresh, new leadership. I am not a politician. I am a businesswoman. Bottom line for me is getting results. You can have all the experience at City Hall, but if things are not improving and there are not positive results, then the leadership needs to be replaced because it is stagnant. I see El Paso in the right leadership in 10 years prospering in all aspects of the word. Vibrant, thriving, safe and excellent quality of life for all.

Isabel Salcido: My vision for El Paso over the next 10 years is to create a thriving, inclusive city characterized by sustainable growth and diverse industries, including tech and logistics. Support small businesses in scaling up, expand affordable housing, and enhance public safety and infrastructure. Through responsible governance and active community engagement, we aim to create opportunities for all residents. Together, we will make El Paso a model of innovation, progress, ensuring a prosperous future.

Brian Kennedy: I can’t emphasize enough the impact of an ethical, financially stable, safe city that is well-run and never forgets it’s your money, your future. We created $112 billion in economic development and 5,200-plus new jobs in the last two years. More of that. We held the line on no-new-tax revenue two years in a row; tripled the number of police recruits with changes in pay and benefits; held people accountable on tax breaks. Now, we work toward retail/sports tourism opportunities that have huge potential.

Marco Antonio Contreras: Did not respond.

Ben Mendoza: Did not respond.

What role can the city government play in increasing private sector wages to help keep skilled workers in El Paso and attract new skilled workers?

Steven B. Winters: Work with UTEP and other colleges in the area to train our citizens in the correct programs that will help them have the skills to work with fortune 500 companies then work with our governor to bring in those same businesses to the El Paso area may be small or large scale. Showing those companies we had skilled workers before they came into the area, creating the workforce more than bringing those companies to our area.

Renard U. Johnson: The mayor should play an active role in recruiting businesses. My connections as a CEO and across Texas and the U.S. gives me an advantage to bring new industries here. I’m a CEO, I speak business, and I know what it takes to make businesses consider our city first. We need to focus on modern industries in aerospace and tech to retain our graduates and create higher paying jobs for everyone. We also need to work with local higher ed to build new programs to support these industries.

Cassandra Hernandez: The city government can help increase private sector wages by fostering business growth through strategic incentives tied to high-wage jobs and workforce development. By aligning educational and training pathways with industry needs, we can upskill local talent and attract skilled workers. As mayor, I will release an annual workforce report to provide businesses and employees the data needed to meet workforce demands and capitalize on economic opportunities, ensuring sustainable growth.

Elizabeth Cordova: The city plays a very important role in encouraging the private sector to have decent wages for skilled workers.

Isabel Salcido: The city can boost private sector wages by creating a business-friendly environment with tax incentives for competitive pay and investing in workforce development. Supporting tech and logistics industries will generate high-paying jobs and attract skilled workers. Collaboration with local businesses and educational institutions ensures a strong talent pipeline, fostering entrepreneurship and small business development for sustainable economic prosperity.

Brian Kennedy: We need to continue the kind of economic development that we are already doing that attracts higher paying jobs (Schneider, Eaton, Amazon, Meta) and match the skills needed with our educational institutions to train up so we are able to fill the positions from here in El Paso. It’s a win-win. Industry knows their staffing can be filled when they look at moving to El Paso; educational institutions fill a vital role and you and your children have the opportunity for better paying jobs.

Marco Antonio Contreras: Did not respond.

Ben Mendoza: Did not respond.

Over the past 50 years, only two U.S. cities have warmed more rapidly than El Paso. What steps should the city government take to address factors causing rapid warming?

Steven B. Winters: Getting on board truly with climate control measures. Then, seeking help from our sister city Juárez, Mexico, and reducing the factory pollution that is created across the border. The majority of our pollution here is from Juarez Mexico. We as El Paso and have to do our part and our job also in reducing global warming.

Renard U. Johnson: We have great data that shows where we need to invest in environmental programs to create more equity across the city. Heat maps show us places like South El Paso need more tree canopies, that we need heat abatement projects across large asphalt areas, and throughout the city, we need additional infrastructure for electric vehicle charging, matching the upswing in the sales of EVs. Other cities have experimented with great solutions like topping payment with coatings that lower temps. We need to adopt what works well in other cities, and adapt it to fit ours. 

Cassandra Hernandez: To directly address El Paso’s pain points of urban heat, socioeconomic inequities, and infrastructure vulnerabilities I am launching the Heat Mitigation Readiness Response Pilot Program to directly address the pain point via: 1) Urban greening to cool neighborhoods, reduce energy costs, and improve livability, especially in underserved areas. 2) Pavement cooling with reflective materials to combat heat islands that disproportionately impact vulnerable communities. 3) Community cooling hubs to provide accessible relief for residents without proper cooling options. 4) Establishing an Office of Resilience and Sustainability to lead these initiatives and ensure El Paso’s long-term resilience and equity in the face of climate challenges.

Elizabeth Cordova: The steps the city government should take is to see how the Menonites in Chihuahua, Mexico, have transformed agriculture and livestock, and plan a collaboration with Israel to see how they transformed the desert. I would also bring in experts in that field to determine what kind of real solutions we could incorporate into our city.

Isabel Salcido: To address rapid warming in El Paso, the city government should prioritize green infrastructure by expanding urban green spaces and enhancing tree canopies. Implementing energy-efficient building codes and promoting renewable energy sources will help reduce carbon emissions. Additionally, investing in public transportation and incentivizing electric vehicle use can mitigate traffic-related heat. Public awareness campaigns about sustainable practices will engage the community in combating climate change effects, fostering a more resilient El Paso.

Brian Kennedy: We’ve largely overlooked one of the simplest tools available to us, which is the cooling effect of creating green spots with the proper use and care of native plants, and native and adaptive trees that create shade. Trees in particular combat climate change by creating shade, cleaning the air, providing oxygen, and preventing erosion. Across a community, it can have a great effect on heat, create habitats and enhance our unique Southwest beauty.

Marco Antonio Contreras: Did not respond.

Ben Mendoza: Did not respond.

The city of El Paso since 2004 has had a council-manager form of government, limiting the mayor’s power. In the past year, the city manager’s authority over auditing and other functions has been removed. How do you balance power between elected city officials and the city manager?

Steven B. Winters: First, I feel that the city should go back to a mayor-council format. So, bringing this back to the citizens to vote it back in. In the meantime, educating City Council members and understanding their power over the city manager. Also, educating our registered voting population that the true power belongs to them. As the mayor, getting out to the citizens of the city and really hearing what they want. Then, using the mayor’s platform to voice the citizens’ demands. Also, reducing the city manager’s pay.

Renard U. Johnson: The role of the auditor needs to report to both the council and the manager so that person is able to remain unbiased. Further, we need clear roles and responsibilities for both the City Council and the city manager. What El Pasoans have been asking for is transparency and accountability in City Hall and we need better checks and balances, especially for elected officials. In addition to clear roles, we need additional oversight across the board perhaps with independent oversight committees.

Cassandra Hernandez: I am concerned about this council’s decisions that put taxpayers at risk with potential litigation and settlements. They’ve removed key checks and balances essential for good governance. As mayor, I will push for urgent changes to the city charter, restoring accountability. The current shift of power leans too heavily toward the elected body, creating room for corruption and bad governance. I will have open conversations with the public to address these risks and work to protect taxpayers.

Elizabeth Cordova: In my opinion, both are needed, the mayor and the city manager, if we want to grow as a city and prosper. Both positions have to have the city’s best interest at hand and have vested interest in the legacy of El Paso. I, however, disagree with how much the city manager gets paid. I would want it to be capped at $200,000. It is part of the wasteful spending that we do as a city. We need a progressive, forward-thinking mayor and a city manager with a wealth of expertise.

Isabel Salcido: To balance power between elected officials and the city manager in El Paso, it’s essential to clarify roles: officials focus on policy while the city manager handles operations. Regular communication and performance metrics are crucial for holding everyone accountable. Involving citizens through advisory committees ensures leadership aligns with community needs, promoting engagement and transparency in decision-making. This approach maintains checks and balances for effective governance.

Brian Kennedy: The reporting structure of the internal auditor was changed to report to the chairman of the Financial Oversight and Advisory Committee (FOAC) because it was inappropriate to have the internal auditor answer to a city manager that oversees 95% of the functions being audited. You don’t answer to the person you’re auditing. The balance of power is created by the city officials who determine and guide the strategic direction of the city. The city manager is responsible for implementing that vision.

Marco Antonio Contreras: Did not respond.

Ben Mendoza: Did not respond.

How important is an arena to the revitalization of Downtown? What capital projects are needed, if any, to improve economic development in the city?

Steven B. Winters: Steven B. Winters: I feel the arena project could be vital to the growth of El Paso, but I also feel that if the citizens of El Paso do not want it, then it should not be built. Maybe we should talk to the people and not around the people and find out what is really, truly what they want. There could be better use of the taxpayer dollars that are being spent every single day in this city. I feel we mismanage what we have. Let’s make El Paso a city for the city.

Renard U. Johnson: The Downtown area is the front door to your community. Twelve years ago, voters said they wanted an arena. This hasn’t happened, and now it’s going back to the voters without additional info or effort from the city to secure private funding, federal grants, other revenue sources. Additionally, we need improved infrastructure (roads, airport, affordable housing, and more) to create strong economic development. These elements are carefully considered by businesses and families considering relocation.

Cassandra Hernandez: An arena (MPC) is critical for revitalizing downtown, serving as a catalyst for economic growth by attracting events & tourists. Major capital investments will enhance tourism, leading to increased sales taxes, which relieve tax burdens. Improving pedestrian conditions and infrastructure is essential for creating a vibrant Downtown. The Downtown deck park is a prime example, offering recreational space while increasing commercial taxable values. These investments are vital for long-term economic prosperity. 

Elizabeth Cordova: No. At this point it is not advisable and not important. We need to first get out of debt, maintain the line on higher taxes, find other avenues of money, work with what we have. By invitation, invite the billionaires in Cuidad Juárez and Chihuahua, Mexico, to come and set up shop here.  We need to build a bridge for better flow, faster and safer crossings to and from Mexico. There is a gold mine over there. I need to strengthen relationships with Cuidad Juárez and Chihuahua, Mexico.

Isabel Salcido: Public-private partnerships for the arena could revitalize Downtown El Paso, creating an entertainment hub that attracts visitors and supports local businesses while enhancing the cultural scene and generating jobs. Key projects should improve public transportation, develop pedestrian-friendly infrastructure, and add parks. Engaging the community and businesses for input on quality of life enhancements is essential.

Brian Kennedy: There’s always more than one way to achieve an objective. The objective is a vital Downtown.  I favor the development of a Downtown walking district to create an old town that celebrates our unique history of three cultures with incentives for mom-and-pop shops that will attract visitors to hotels, restaurants and retail 365 days a year not just on game day. Tourism is found money.  Every penny of sales tax collected through tourism lifts the load of property tax carried by homeowners. 

Marco Antonio Contreras: Did not respond.

Ben Mendoza: Did not respond.

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