Election
BY CASSANDRA JENKINS
The special election will be held April 4, with the winner of the race lling the role on City Council until January 2028.
Candidates are listed in ballot order.
Why are you running for o ce?
What are your priorities for pedestrian safety, bike lanes and public transportation improvements in the district? Everyone deserves to feel safe walking, biking or taking transit. I support safer intersections, protected bike lanes and better sidewalks, especially near schools and transit stops. Improving intersections with more lights and stop signs are essential. Better lighting and visibility will reduce accidents, improve tra c, and strengthen mobility. Houstonians should not fear walking, cycling, and driving across our city. We must coordinate priority street safety infrastructure projects within the High Injury Network with local TIRZ boards, the county, TxDOT, and city departments. Public transportation in our city must also be reliable, responding to data derived from ridership trends. District C has some of the most tra cked areas in Houston, so ensuring safer intersections, protected bike lanes, and reliable public transit corridors are top priorities for having a safer district. That means increasing pedestrian safety with lighting, crosswalk visibility, and calming tra c. Transportation planning should reduce accidents ... I use all modes of transportation, and I want them to be as normalized across the district as they are where I live near 11th and Nicholson Trail. I support and advocate alongside Link Houston for frequent and reliable transit. Sidewalks throughout District C need repair. Someone was just killed in a hit-and-run two blocks from my home. Pedestrian safety is a public safety priority. I’ll push for better crosswalks in high-incident areas. Support dedicated bike infrastructure where it connects neighborhoods safely. Advocate for reliable METRO service and transit-oriented development near existing lines. I ran to make our streets safe for everyone. My priorities are ensuring safe crossings at schools and parks; targeting Houston’s High Injury Network with proven safety upgrades; collaborating with TIRZs to accelerate Safe Routes to School programs; and reducing bus wait times to 15 minutes.
Houston City Council, District C Angelica Luna Kaufman Occupation & relevant experience: Harris County, chief of sta ; managed county budgets; disaster response; procurement
I’m running because District C deserves experienced, accountable leadership focused on results. After years of serving more than ve million residents in the third-largest county in the United States, I’m ready to bring that experience to City Hall to strengthen services, improve safety and deliver measurable progress for every neighborhood. I want to tackle city problems by studying issues Houstonians face and prioritizing data-driven policy solutions to make our city easier to live in. I have children growing up in District C, and want to make sure it is safe, a ordable, healthy, and a place in which they can thrive. represented when decisions are made, and I understand both policy and the narratives that shape whether legislation actually passes. Our politics are producing the same results: a fortress around city hall without input … District C deserves leadership that can meet the city’s challenges without feeding existing dysfunction. I want underrepresented communities
reform; public safety initiatives www.angelicaforhouston.com
Audrey Nath Occupation & relevant experience: Harvard-trained triple-board certi ed MD/PhD epileptologist, clinical assistant, professor, community organizer, and advocate www.audreyforhouston.com Sophia Campos Occupation & relevant experience: elementary school teacher with 10 years of legislative experience, lobbying and organizing throughout Texas www.sophiafordistrictc.org Laura Gallier Occupation & relevant experience: retired CPA, former small business owner, community organizer, third of Patrick Oathout Occupation & relevant experience: arti cial intelligence safety lead; platoon leader, U.S. Army; Poe, Lanier, and Lamar graduate www.patrickforhouston.com Joe Panzarella Occupation & relevant experience: renewable energy developer managing multimillion-dollar projects, Freedmen’s Town Super Neighborhood president, experienced community organizer www.joeforhouston.com Nick Hellyar Occupation & relevant experience: real estate broker, small business owner sta er at Houston City Hall and Texas Legislature www.nickforhouston.com ve generations in District C www.lauraforhouston.com
I am at City Council often and have generational ties to the district. To give nancial oversight to the city, TIRZ, Houston First, Houston Housing Authority. Use my training in seeing structural inequity and dialoguing constructively on polarizing topics. To advocate for community-driven solutions.
After Jan. 6, I joined the Army to defend democracy abroad. Now I’m home to defend it here. Greg Abbott and Donald Trump want to override Houston’s local control. I’ll protect Houston’s values while delivering on infrastructure, public safety, and a ordability for the district that raised me.
I am running for o ce because District C deserves safe streets, a ordable housing, transparent leadership, and outstanding constituent services for all. My experience as a community leader and renewable energy developer equips me to shepherd transformative infrastructure projects through [the] council, and push safe and just policies for every Houstonian. The passion for problem-solving, with two decades of helping people at City Hall and the [Texas] Legislature. As a full-time council member, I will focus on solving problems and listening to neighbors in every part of District C. I want to help people x the everyday issues that a ect their lives.
We need all modes of transportation—walking, biking and riding—and all must work together for our city to function. Safety must be a priority. As the former interim director of BikeHouston, I am uniquely aware of the dangers bikers face. Building our streets for all to share is key.
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 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.
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