Read questionnaires of Corpus Christi City Council district candidates here.
Read questionnaires of Corpus Christi City Council at-large candidates here.
Seven people want to be mayor of Corpus Christi — a high-profile position that has only become only more significant in the past term as the City Council wrestled with what had, at the time, appeared to be an impending water emergency.
Three of the candidates in the running are current City Council members: incumbent Paulette Guajardo, current District 4 representative Kaylynn Paxson and current District 5 representative Gil Hernandez.
Three are political newcomers — Chelise Hyatt, David Ainsworth Sr., Dave Heasley — and one is a previous candidate for mayor in the 2024 election, John Calkusic.
The position of mayor is, in some ways, has historically been that of a figurehead.
The position, however, has been under intense spotlight in the most recent term — managing national scrutiny over Corpus Christi’s water shortage, helping to weigh the benefits and detriments of available water projects, and at the center of a citizen petition requesting removal.
Although the mayor’s vote carries the same weight as the other eight council members, the role has historically been to also build consensus among the council in determining the direction of the city and leading the council through major policy issues.
The mayor serves in two-year terms and is paid $9,000 annually for service on the council.
The role, like the rest of the City Council positions, is intended to be nonpartisan.
The Caller-Times asked each of the seven mayoral candidates the same questions about their background, as well as priorities and positions on topics encountered in this past term — to include their stances on Inner Harbor desalination, the mayor’s removal hearing and tax incentives.
Each biographical answer was restricted to 20 words and each policy response restricted to 75. Organizational memberships were limited to three. Responses that exceeded the word limit were cut off once reaching the limit; cuts are indicated by ellipses.
Personal attacks and demonstrable factual inaccuracies were not included and are also indicated by ellipses.
Responses were otherwise published unaltered, without edits, with the exception of minor formatting.
The biographical information was self-reported by candidates and not independently verified.
All candidates were requested to participate and given the opportunity to have their photo taken.
Five of the seven candidates participated in the questionnaire.
Candidates whose photo is not shown either did not schedule, reschedule or respond to requests.
Their names appear in the order that they will be on the ballot.
Early voting is Oct. 19 through Oct. 30. Election Day is Nov. 3.
Kaylynn Paxson
*Current District 4 representative
Age: 36
Occupation: Self-employed.
Professional experience: My background includes business, economic development, city government, public policy, strategic planning, research and working directly with our community.
Political experience: Corpus Christi District 4 Council Member and Mayor Pro Tem, elected in 2024.
(Editor's note, for clarification: Paxson was elected as Corpus Christi District 4 Council Member in 2024. She was designated at the beginning of Guajardo's term to serve as mayor pro tem from July 14 to Oct. 12, as part of a rotating schedule, according to city officials.)
Years of residency in Corpus Christi: I’ve lived here over 20 years, most of my life
Highest educational attainment: I have my Masters degree from A&M here in Corpus Christi, and all but dissertation (ABD) in my PhD Policy …
Organizational involvement/membership: I serve with the Coastal Bend Council of Governments, TIRZ boards, and Mercy-Seat Ministries, which supports our community and local …
Do you support development of the Inner Harbor seawater desalination plant? Why or why not?
No. I support desalination, but I do not support Inner Harbor because of its potential environmental impacts, high cost, limited 30 MGD capacity and long timeline. I favor Harbor Island because it is planned as a 100 MGD project and provides the larger-scale water supply our growing region needs.
Do you support the council’s decision made earlier this year to move forward with the mayor’s removal hearing and its outcome? Why or why not?
Yes. The City Charter gave the Council a process to follow, and I believed we had a responsibility to follow it. The Council held a public hearing, listened to the information presented and voted on the outcome. I believe accountability matters, and the rules of our city should apply fairly to everyone in public office.
How should tax incentives, such as revenue from tax incentive reinvestment zones or sales taxes, be used? What should be the criteria and types of projects?
Tax incentives should be used when taxpayers receive a clear benefit in return. I would look for projects that create good jobs, improve infrastructure, bring new businesses, grow our tax base or improve areas that need investment. There should be clear goals, public accountability and protections if a company does not deliver what it promised. We should spend public dollars carefully and make sure our residents truly benefit from the deal.
What are your top three priorities, should you win a place on the City Council?
My first priority is a reliable and affordable long-term water supply. Second, we need to improve the basics: streets, sidewalks, drainage, lighting and other infrastructure residents use every day. Third, I want more accountability and better use of taxpayer dollars at City Hall. I also believe our city needs vision. We must plan ahead, use taxpayer dollars wisely and make decisions today that prepare Corpus Christi for future growth and challenges.
David Ainsworth Sr.
No biographical information provided as of the print deadline.
Do you support development of the Inner Harbor seawater desalination plant? Why or why not?
I support desalination as part of Corpus Christi’s long-term water solution, but I do not support moving forward with the Inner Harbor project unless we can clearly demonstrate that it is environmentally responsible, financially sustainable, and the best option for our residents.
Water security is one of the most important issues facing Corpus Christi. We cannot continue going from drought crisis to drought crisis. However, urgency cannot replace due diligence.
Before committing hundreds of millions …
Do you support the council’s decision made earlier this year to move forward with the mayor’s removal hearing and its outcome? Why or why not?
I believe every elected official must be accountable and held to the standards established by our City Charter. At the same time, proceedings involving an elected official must be fair, transparent, fact-based, and free from political motivation.
The Council ultimately voted on August 7 to reprimand Mayor Paulette Guajardo and suspend her from office for 30 days.
Rather than relitigating personalities or political disagreements, I believe we should learn from what happened. City Hall needs …
How should tax incentives, such as revenue from tax increment reinvestment zones or sales taxes, be used? What should be the criteria and types of projects?
Tax incentives can be useful economic-development tools, but they should never become blank checks.
Every incentive should demonstrate a measurable public benefit. I would evaluate proposals based on job creation, wages, infrastructure improvements, increased tax base, neighborhood impact, economic development, and the long-term return to Corpus Christi taxpayers.
TIRZ funding should primarily help provide public infrastructure and improvements that encourage responsible private investment. For example, the City's recently created TIRZ 7 is structured to use …
What are your top three priorities should you win a place on the City Council?
1. Secure Corpus Christi’s Water Future
We need a diversified, reliable and affordable water supply. I will push for solutions based on sound science, realistic costs, environmental responsibility, and long-term reliability. Water decisions should protect residents and small businesses while ensuring Corpus Christi can continue to grow.
2. Fix Infrastructure and Improve Quality of Life
Residents should be able to see where their tax dollars are going. Streets, drainage, water and wastewater systems, public safety …
Paulette Guajardo
*Incumbent
Age: 54
Occupation: Mayor
Professional experience: Previous small business owner in the insurance industry for 15 years.
Political experience: 10 years of elected service, including two terms as an at-large council member and three terms as Mayor.
Years of residency in Corpus Christi: Lifelong resident Corpus Christi
Highest educational attainment: Bachelor of Business
Organizational involvement/membership: Extensive civic leadership through service on numerous local, regional, and statewide boards and organizations, including CCREDC, VCC, and TML, representing ...
Do you support development of the Inner Harbor seawater desalination plant? Why or why not?
Yes. Corpus Christi needs a permanent, drought-resistant water supply now. Inner Harbor has critical permits, affordable state financing and key agreements in place. I support a responsibly sized desalination plant with a guaranteed price, independent oversight, strong environmental monitoring and large industrial users paying their fair share. I voted against increasing water rates for our residents and remain committed to protecting ratepayers while securing our long-term water supply.
Do you support the council’s decision made earlier this year to move forward with the mayor’s removal hearing and its outcome? Why or why not?
No. The process lacked fundamental fairness, with council members serving as witnesses, judges and jurors. The fact that two of them then immediately announced campaigns for Mayor only deepened concerns about the process. In our democracy, the voters should decide who leads their city through free and fair elections. That fundamental right belongs to the people, and I will always respect and defend it.
How should tax incentives (such as revenue from tax incentive reinvestment zones, or sales taxes) be used — what should be the criteria and types of projects?
I support tax incentives only when they deliver a clear, measurable benefit to our community. Projects should create jobs, attract private investment, strengthen our tax base and support adopted city priorities. TIRZ and dedicated sales tax revenues must be used for their intended purposes. Every incentive agreement should be transparent, performance-based and accountable, with clear deadlines, public reporting and enforceable clawbacks to protect taxpayers when commitments are not met.
What are your top three priorities, should you win a place on the City Council?
My top three priorities are clear:
First, secure Corpus Christi’s water future by advancing Inner Harbor Desalination and delivering a permanent, drought-resistant supply.
Second, restore relationships in Austin and Washington D.C in order to secure funding, infrastructure investment and opportunities for our city.
Third, strengthen public safety with the staffing and resources our first responders need. I will also protect taxpayers and ratepayers. I voted against raising property taxes and against increasing water rates.
Gil Hernandez
*Current District 5 representative
Age: 57
Occupation: Food & Beverage Consultant - food service, CR, theater (retired from Coca-Cola Company)
Professional experience: Navy veteran- Surface Warfare Officer, The Coca-Cola Company- national sales management
Political experience: City Council (8 years), RTA Board member (3 years)
Years of residency in Corpus Christi: 24 years
Highest educational attainment: BBA Texas Tech
Do you support development of the Inner Harbor seawater desalination plant? Why or why not?
No. The Inner Harbor is NOT the best location. A site closer to the Gulf like Barney Davis or Harbor Island is a better option. The inner harbor site costs 3X more than our current water and is environmentally limited to 30mgd. This is shortsighted considering long term growth needs of the coastal bend. There is additional cost for pretreatment due to the turbidity of the inner harbor water quality. The inner harbor also has …
(Editor's note: Costs of the proposed Inner Harbor plant versus current water costs are not independently verified.)
Do you support the council’s decision made earlier this year to move forward with the mayor’s removal hearing and its outcome? Why or why not?
Yes. All the accusations against the mayor were proven to be true.
How should tax incentives (such as revenue from tax incentive reinvestment zones, or sales taxes) be used — what should be the criteria and types of projects?
First and foremost, an incentive should be an economic-development tool, not a political favor. Before approving a project, Corpus Christi should require the applicant to demonstrate:
1. The project would not occur without the incentive.
2. The project has a clearly documented public benefit.
3. The project provides measurable projected increase in taxable value.
4. The public benefit is greater than the value of the incentive.
5. The applicant has made a meaningful private investment …
What are your top three priorities, should you win a place on the City Council?
Continued improvement of public infrastructure (i.e. streets, utilities, and facilities), budget and debt management, affordable alternative water sources. We are currently diversifying our water supply with wastewater reuse (16mgd), groundwater (24mgd), and brackish water desalination (21mgd). These projects are going to provide twice as much water at half the cost ($4.31 vs $8.26 per 1,000 gallons) of the inner harbor project.
(Editor’s note: Water costs are not independently verified.)
Chelise Hyatt
Age: 44
Occupation: Development Executive, Scouting America South Texas Council, specializing in fundraising, grants, donor relations, community partnerships and youth development.
Professional experience: Nonprofit development, fundraising, grant writing, youth programming, communications, community partnerships and organizational leadership.
Political experience: Candidate for Mayor of Corpus Christi; no prior elected office.
Years of residency in Corpus Christi: Five years.
Highest educational attainment: Bachelor’s Degree
Organizational involvement/membership: USA Archery, Leave No Trace, NRA Pistol Instructor ...
Do you support development of the Inner Harbor seawater desalination plant? Why or why not?
Yes. Corpus Christi needs a reliable, drought-resistant water supply, and I support moving the Inner Harbor desalination project forward while continuing to pursue every viable water source available. However, environmental protection must remain a priority. I support the strongest practical protections for Corpus Christi Bay, including offshore brine disposal (similar to other plants across the world). Water security and environmental responsibility must be addressed together.
Do you support the council’s decision made earlier this year to move forward with the mayor’s removal hearing and its outcome? Why or why not?
I support the decision to hold the hearing because serious allegations involving elected officials deserve a fair, transparent process. Personal relationships and political loyalties should never determine whether concerns are investigated. Due process must be protected, evidence must guide the decision, and the same standards of accountability should apply to every elected official. Ultimately, the Council was responsible for weighing the evidence and determining the appropriate consequence.
How should tax incentives, such as revenue from tax incentive reinvestment zones or sales taxes, be used? What should be the criteria and types of projects?
Tax incentives should produce a clear, measurable public benefit. They should prioritize infrastructure, redevelopment, quality jobs, housing, tourism and projects that expand our tax base or improve quality of life. Agreements should include measurable goals, transparency, reasonable return on public investment and accountability if commitments are not met. Public incentives should help make worthwhile projects possible, not simply subsidize projects that would happen without them.
What are your top three priorities, should you win a place on the City Council?
My top three priorities are water security, infrastructure, and responsible city government. We must secure reliable long-term water while pursuing every viable source; aggressively address deteriorating streets, drainage, and flooding; and ensure taxpayers receive transparent, accountable government that carefully manages public dollars. As the city continues to grow, our basic infrastructure and city services must keep pace so residents can have confidence in the community’s future.
John Calkusic
Did not respond to the questionnaire by the print deadline.
Dave Heasley
Declined to participate.
Reporters Olivia Garrett, Felicity Guajardo and John Oliva contributed to this article.
Kirsten Crow covers city government and water news. Have a story idea? Contact her at kirsten.crow@caller.com.
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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Corpus Christi mayor race: See candidates' stances on desal, policy
