Who goes first? Some candidates think ballot order improves chances

The ballot is in — sort of.

While early voting in the Corpus Christi City Council election is still roughly two months out, what voters will see when making their choices has been decided through luck — a drawing on Aug. 21 that determined the order names will appear on the ballot.

That can make a difference in who wins, some candidates believe.

With 45 candidates throwing their hats in the ring, the pool increased by roughly 45% compared to the previous election cycle — 31 in 2024.

The total list has two fewer candidates than one preliminarily released.

David Jensen, who had been shown as running for mayor, withdrew his application, wrote City Secretary Rebecca Huerta in an Aug. 21 message to the Caller-Times.

Jennifer Gracia, who had filed to run

as District 1 representative, was ineligible because her residence was not in District 1, Huerta wrote.

All nine council seats are up for election: five district representatives, three at-large members and mayor.

Voters will be able to weigh in on three races — the district in which they reside, as well as citywide races for mayor and three at-large spots.

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Early voting is Oct. 19 through Oct. 30.

Election Day is Nov. 3.

Here is the order candidates’ names will appear on the ballot:

Mayor

1. Kaylynn Paxson
2. David Ainsworth Sr
3. Paulette Guajardo
4. Gil Hernandez
5. Chelise Hyatt
6. Davian N. Gomez
7. John Calkusic
8. Anna Hernandez
9. Dave Heasley

At large

1. Anthem Powers
2. Merida Nardone Mendoza
3. Scott F. Corliss
4. Sammy Gonzales
5. Zoraida Basaldu
6. Michael Miller
7. Joshua Fraedrick
8. Willie Morales Jr.
9. Mark Scott
10. Nancy Vera
11. Julian Jacob Hernandez
12. Carolyn Vaughn
13. Richard Shelton
14. Dan McQueen
15. Alex Johnston

District 1

1. John Garcia
2. Tracy McCall
3. Billy Lerma
4. John M. Cudd
5. Vidal “Cowboy” Conde

District 2

1. Selena Guerra
2. Jen Allende
3. Isabel Araiza
4. Laura Flores Commons

District 3

1. Jessica Villarreal
2. Robert Rocha
3. Eric Cantu

District 4

1. Joshua Anderson
2. Kristina Nelson
3. Stacie Garrecht
4. Dan Herrington

District 5

1. Joseph Borkouski
2. Kusumakar Sooda
3. David Pena
4. John Hanzalik
5. Merida Gonzalez Forrest

Kirsten Crow covers city government and water news. Have a story idea? Contact her at [e-mail].

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Who goes first? Some candidates think ballot order improves chances