Election
BY MELISSA ENAJE
Voter Guide
2025
Dates to know
Where to vote
April 22: First day of early voting April 22: Last day to apply for ballot by mail (received, not postmarked) April 29: Last day of early voting May 3: Election day and the last day to receive ballot by mail
West University Place residents can vote at any polling location during early voting or on election day. Visit www.harrisvotes.com for polling locations.
NOTE: CANDIDATES RUNNING FOR A SEAT ON WEST UNIVERSITY PLACE’S CITY COUNCIL WILL NOT COMPETE FOR A SPECIFIC POSITION BUT WILL BE PLACED ACCORDING TO WHOEVER RECEIVES THE TOP FOUR HIGHEST VOTES.
Only candidates in contested elections are included. Go to county election websites for information on uncontested races.
West University Place City Council
KEY : *Incumbent
Nicholas Stuart Occupation & experience: approximately 25-year nancial services professional, currently a managing director on the energy investment banking team … 832-880-2283
Clay Brett* Occupation & experience: attorney (Partner, Baker Botts); former principal
John Bertini Occupation & experience: urologist, member of seven board of directors, chairman of four, served on West University Place City Council, 2000 713-666-7632
John Barnes Occupation & experience: two-term council member; 22-year resident; 28-year
investor; one-term, City Council; one- term, ZBA https://claybrettforwestu.com
real estate attorney; president, Sentinel Club; eight- year Challenger volunteer https://johnbarnesforwestu.com
If elected, what would your top priorities be?
Our city needs three things: (1) leadership that prioritizes kids and seniors in West U, including improved pedestrian safety; (2) sound scal management of our upcoming capital projects, detailed on my website; and (3) a vision for West U that will leave our community better than where we found it.
There are merits to renovating and merits to rebuilding. Voters will decide. I will be focused on nancial stability and cost-e ective nancing. Finance is my expertise. Council needs to have this skill set.
Maintain and improve: police and re protection, solid waste and recycling, city hall responsiveness and infrastructure quality. Closely monitor city spending and be available to citizens to express their concerns.
Restoring transparency and accountability, enhancing resident safety and security, addressing and improving aging or inadequate water, sewage and drainage infrastructure, conserving city resources to avoid unnecessary tax increases, and continuing to promote a sense of community through support for seniors, parks and youth sports. Candidates running for a seat on West University Place’s City Council will not compete for a speci c position, but will be placed according to whoever receives the top four highest votes.
Matthew “Matt” Hart* Occupation & experience: West U City Council (since 2023); adjunct professor, University of Houston Law Center; corporate
Kalie Jackura Rainsberger Occupation & experience: mother, business consultant, project
My top priority is strengthening the community—ensuring West U remains a place where neighbors connect and belong. That means reliable police and infrastructure, proactive ood management, structured and unstructured community spaces for residents in all stages of life, and open communication so residents are informed and heard. Matthew “Mateo” Fisher Occupation & experience: corporate attorney, specializing in software licensing, Planning and Zoning Commission, Zoning Board of Adjustment https://mateo4westu.substack.com
manager, West U Citizens Academy, Centennial Committee, 19 years of residency https://kalieforcouncil.com
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50
nance attorney (private practice) ... https://matt-hart-for-west-u.com
words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more election coverage, go to www.communityimpact.com/ voter-guide.
If elected, what would your top priorities be?
We awarded a contract to improve our wastewater treatment plant, and that work will progress. I also want to invest to improve our city center facilities. Our water system is strong today, but we should execute plans for its safety, resiliency and e ciency for years to come.
Health and safety projects are essential and must be given priority. Police and re departments need su cient sta ng and facilities to protect residents, but, currently, key positions remain open and renovations to facilities are scheduled behind unnecessary building projects. Addressing known, at-risk infrastructure will ensure our water security and independence.
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