Here are the candidates for Fort Worth City Council District 11 in May 3 election
Elections for Fort Worth City Council are in May of odd-numbered years. If no one receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two vote-getters will head to a runoff on June 7. Nine of the 10 districts have contested elections. Alan Blaylock is running unopposed in District 10.
Early voting for the May 3 election runs from April 22-April 29.
Hilda Cuzco
Age: 77
Campaign website: https://themilitant.com
Best way for voters to reach you: Contact campaign email. swptexascampaign@gmail.com
Occupation: Bakery packer
Education: High School
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought, with years): No
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in the city of Fort Worth: I am a long-time member of the Socialist Workers Party branch in Fort Worth Texas. Bakery Confectionary Tobacco and Grain Millers Union Local 111. I supported the Teamsters on strike at Molson Coors and walked their picket line. As a member of the Socialist Workers Party I have joined rallies in support of immigrant rights and campaign for need for an amnesty for any undocumented worker who lives and works in the United States.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain: Like many workers who are facing the harsh economic conditions of high rents, high mortgages, high prices and low wages I was forced to file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in 1990’s. As a member of the Socialist Workers Party I was part of the lawsuit my party filed against the FBI in 1973 and won in 1986 when a district judge ruled the party’s constitutional rights were violated.
Who are your top three campaign contributors?: All of my campaign contributions come from small donations from working people.
Why do you want this job?: No individual elected will be a savior for working people. I will use my office to mobilize working people to fight for what we need.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?: 1. I will fight against all manifestations of Jew-hatred and antisemitism and defend Israel’s right to exist. 2. I will support sovereignty for Ukraine and oppose Moscow’s invasion 3. I will fight to organize unions including undocumented workers who need amnesty.
What does it mean to be a successful council member?: I will use all of the resources of my office to help organize and wake working people up to their worth so they can act to change the conditions they face.
What are the biggest challenges facing District 11?: The biggest challenge for working people in District 11 and everywhere is to break from relying on promises from the capitalist politicians and their parties, fight for the working class to take political power and join the worldwide struggle for socialism.
What are the biggest opportunities facing District 11?: Because of the decades-long retreat by the working class and unions has come to an end and more and more workers are saying “Enough is enough” there will be many opportunities for workers in District 11 to back these struggles as they organize to better their conditions.
What are the district’s biggest needs heading into the 2026 Bond, and how will you make sure they get addressed?: I oppose bonds to raise funds for the district. The needs of the district should be funded by the enormous profits of the capitalist class acquired from the labor of working people in the factories and by farmworkers in the fields.
What role (if any) should the city play in addressing literacy struggles in the Fort Worth school district?: 65% of the students in the Fort Worth Schools do not read at grade level. Only 26% are meeting standards in math. The capitalist rulers don’t put much value on “education” for us. Education is class divided. Education for workers is to teach us the basics and not to think and that our life is punching in and out at work. We are taught we must fend for ourselves especially when there are disasters.
When we organize to change our conditions through union strikes and massive social protests, like the civil rights movement led by the Black working class, we begin to throw off the self-image the rulers teach us, and to recognize that we are capable of changing our conditions. Education and real learning in this society can only be won by a fundamental change in society when working people succeed in putting state power into their own hands. It is this, not depending on the paltry handouts from the wealthy and the government through grants, that we must chart a course to do.
What concrete steps will you take to address affordable housing in Fort Worth?: Every person has a right to work at a job so they can afford to have a family and comfortable affordable housing. I will fight for a federally funded massive public works program that will put working people to work at union scale wages to build affordable housing.
What are the most important qualities for the person who replaces outgoing Police Chief Neil Noakes?: This is something that working people will decide.
What else would you like to share with District 11 residents about your vision for the city that we haven’t asked?: If we don’t start with the world, we’ll never understand the deteriorating conditions on the job and in our lives and why the opening guns of WWIII grow louder. This is a result of a profit-first capitalist system in crisis in the epoch of imperialism’s decline. My party defends those oppressed and exploited by capital; working farmers and undocumented immigrant workers who need amnesty. We defend constitutional protections, back the struggles of African Americans for equal rights and for women’s emancipation. I oppose Washington’s brutal economic war against Cuba’s socialist revolution. I have attended protests against the brutality in the prisons and in the Tarrant County jail.
Join the Socialist Workers Party, that has a program that charts a course for working people to take power. A workers state will build solidarity and cooperation with struggles worldwide.
Christopher Johnson
Age: 58
Campaign website: Christopheradvocate.com
Best way for voters to reach you: Christopheradvocate911@ gmail.com
Occupation: Business Entrepreneur
Education: Business degree
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought, with years): Yes District 11
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in the city of Fort Worth: Served on various committees and boards with the City of Fort Worth
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain: No
Who are your top three campaign contributors?: On file
Why do you want this job?: I have the leadership experience, plan and vision to maintain and take District 11 to the next level
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?: Economic development, public safety and advocacy
What does it mean to be a successful council member?: To advocate for the citizen, that voted me in and work with co council as a team and do what’s best for the community and use resources for citizens and economic development.
What are the biggest challenges facing District 11?: There is no active leadership and crime is ongoing, issues not being addressed or resolved
What are the biggest opportunities facing District 11?: Citizens who needs will be met and economic development will be introduced, crime and other negative issues will be addressed.
What are the district’s biggest needs heading into the 2026 Bond, and how will you make sure they get addressed?: Making sure bond money is spent in overlooked areas and funds are allocated to the residents and communities that are in need.
What role (if any) should the city play in addressing literacy struggles in the Fort Worth school district?: Giving my support and collaboration with Fort Worth schools districts
What concrete steps will you take to address affordable housing in Fort Worth?: Visit my website for details at: Christopher advocate.com
What are the most important qualities for the person who replaces outgoing Police Chief Neil Noakes?: Integrity, transparency and accountability
What else would you like to share with District 11 residents about your vision for the city that we haven’t asked?: Having a leader to lead,listen and have a vision for all of District 11 and not have a conflict of interest.
Jeanette Martinez
Age: 42
Campaign website: www.jeanetteforfw.com
Best way for voters to reach you: jeanette@jeanetteforfw.com
Occupation: Executive Administrator to Tarrant County Precinct 1 Commissioner Roderick Miles, Jr.
Education: MA Public Administration, University of Texas at Arlington
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought, with years): Fort Worth City Council District 11 in 2023
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in the city of Fort Worth:
BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
C.H.A.M.P. - Board Member
Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains – Executive Board
Pathfinders – Board Member
Survive and Thrive Education – Board Member
Leadership Fort Worth - Member
Chair of the Resource Connection Advisory Committee
Fort Worth Community Action Partners Council - Past Appointee
Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas - Past State Treasurer
Rosemont Neighborhood Association – Past Treasurer
Fort Worth/Tarrant County Minority Leaders & Citizens Council - Past Volunteer
LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT
Leadership Fort Worth, LeadershipClass Program
Leadership Fort Worth, LeadingEdge Program
Tarrant County Bridge Program
SteerFW Key Holders Program
RECOGNITIONS
Fort Worth Business Press, 40 Under 40 Award
Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas, Fort Worth Chapter, Shining Star Award
Hispanic Women’s Network of Texas, Fort Worth Chapter, Rising Star Award
FTW/Tarrant County Minority Leaders & Citizens Council, Administrators Award
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain: No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain: No
Who are your top three campaign contributors?: FW Firefighters Committee for Responsible Gov., Accountable Government Fund, Linebarger Goggan Blair & Sampson
Why do you want this job?: As a lifelong resident of Fort Worth, I am passionate about serving my community and committed to being a dedicated public servant and advocate for families. It has been an honor to be the first council member representing District 11, and I have fulfilled my promise to create safe neighborhoods, revitalize communities, provide tax relief, and promote smart development. I am running for reelection to ensure that the communities in District 11 receive their fair share of resources to fix potholes, enhance local parks, and improve city services.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?: Safe neighborhoods, revitalize communities, fiscal responsibility
What does it mean to be a successful council member?: Ensuring that every family feels safe in their homes and that every neighborhood has a voice in projects that affect their quality of life.
What are the biggest challenges facing District 11?: Public safety, needed infrastructure improvements and economic development
What are the biggest opportunities facing District 11?: Lancaster Avenue Reconstruction and 2026 Bond Projects
What are the district’s biggest needs heading into the 2026 Bond, and how will you make sure they get addressed?: Infrastructure, specifically street improvements. I will advocate for District 11’s fair share of bond and PayGo funding.
What role (if any) should the city play in addressing literacy struggles in the Fort Worth school district?: Leadership should continue to be a partner to the district and leadership. In addition, the City should continue to provide funding to the district for qualifying programs.
What concrete steps will you take to address affordable housing in Fort Worth?: I will continue to advocate for affordable housing opportunities in District 11, be it multifamily units, duplexes, or other housing projects.
What are the most important qualities for the person who replaces outgoing Police Chief Neil Noakes?: A leader who is accessible, engaged and willing to make needed changes.
What else would you like to share with District 11 residents about your vision for the city that we haven’t asked?: I believe that a true leader should be actively present in their community. As a Councilwoman, I am engaged, accessible, and dedicated to supporting community groups. I prioritize constant communication through newsletters, social media, and direct correspondence. As a proven public servant, I am excited about the opportunity for reelection.
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