The Road to 10-1: Now We Begin

District 4: Everybody in the Pool!

Most compact, lowest turnout, most likely to require a run-off – the District 4 race is also most likely to be winnowed, as it's not certain how many of the declared 11 candidates will carry through to actual campaigns. Early name ID favorites would be former Workers Defense Project organizer Greg Casar, associate state insurance commissioner Katrina Daniel, businesswoman and frequent council speaker Laura Pressley, and urban planner/Zoning & Platting Com­mis­sioner Gabe Rojas. All four have been active in neighborhood and city affairs from varying angles – and are likely to attract voters from District 4's varying perspectives: young working-class renters, traditional homeowners, tax-cut fundamentalists, and young professionals.

And there are certainly other capable contenders. Former Lege staffer Marco Mancil­las has been looking for an electoral venue for some time, and has drawn some prominent support; marketing consultant Sharon Mays has deep roots in the district and is emphasizing better infrastructure and "more green space" in the neighborhoods. Monica Guzmán has health care knowledge and organizing experience; Roberto Perez Jr. has been engaged on the Rundberg Revit­al­iz­ation Team and other city efforts, and is leading with "safe and affordable neighborhoods."

TCEQ civil engineer Louis Herrin III points to his experience on environmental projects, and is targeting city permit regs that need streamlining. Rounding out the field, student LULAC organizer Manuel Muñoz and young "typical citizen" Xavier Hernandez will be working uphill against opponents with broader experience and greater resources.

One background issue bearing exploration is the division between District 4 long-timers and newcomers – some candidates arrived by venue-shopping, presuming low-registration, low-turnout voters won't notice.