Here are the candidates for Fort Worth City Council District 2 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.
Carlos Flores
Age: 56
Campaign website: CarlosFloresFWD2.com
Best way for voters to reach you: carlosfloresfwd2@gmail.com
Occupation: City Council Member District 2 (full-time)
Education: BS Aerospace / Mechanical Engineering. Leadership Fort Worth Class of 2008
Have you run for elected office before? (Please list previous offices sought, with years): Yes. FW City Council District 2 since 2017
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in the city of Fort Worth: Before being elected to City Council, I was civically involved in my neighborhood association (as a member & president), former president of the Fort Worth League of Neighborhoods (president), volunteer at All Saints Catholic School & Church, crime watch volunteer, member of Lockheed Martin’s Cardboard Boat Regatta Team (competed in boat rowing races to raise funds to River Legacy Park in Arlington), former board member of Artes de la Rosa, and service on several city boards, commissions, task forces in member and leadership capacities.
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?: Fort Worth Police Officers Association (POA), Fort Worth Professional Firefighters 440. Please refer to my published campaign finance report.
Why do you want this job?: Being a city councilmember affords the best opportunities to enact positive change in our City. I’ve been a positive change agent for my district and city. By nature, and virtue of my engineering profession, I am a problem solver. I want this job because of the opportunities and momentum propelling our city. I want to continue that upward trajectory.
Since elected, I’ve brought two Neighborhood Improvement Projects to the greater Northside area, an historically underserved area, worked with Stockyards Heritage and our valued partners to successfully redevelop the Stockyards as the most successful & visited entertainment district in the city, increased the number of Police officers and Firefighters, chaired the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Ad Hoc Committee that ushered a new fire-based EMS system, broke ground for a new Police Northwest Division, expanded the HOPE unit, increased affordable housing, received two tranches of Federal funding for Central City / Panther Island
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?: 1) Reduce Tax Burden; 2) Public Safety; 3) Repair & Maintain Streets & Road Infrastructure
What does it mean to be a successful council member?: To be a successful councilmember, one must be accountable and accessible to our residents; efficiently deliver public services; develop effective working relationships with City staff and other elected officials; be fiscally responsible; know the communities you represent and their needs; be knowledgeable about city processes, ordinances, and the City Charter; have a thick skin & be able to have civil discussions even with the folks who disagree with you; work with and be respectful towards your fellow councilmembers; and know your district.
What are the biggest challenges facing District 2?: Balancing the needs of residents amid rapid growth and development. The City continues to lower the tax burden on residents and needs to flip the amount of property tax reliance from residential properties to commercial properties. Funding public services, Police & Fire, public facilities, and infrastructure all rely on tax revenue. Continuing to support Trinity Metro in the pursuit of a multimodal transit system.
What are the biggest opportunities facing District 2?: Redevelopment projects like the historic Stockyards and the Central City Flood Control / Panther Island represent two of the largest opportunities for District 2 and the City. Urban rail connecting Downtown to the Northside, to the Stockyards, and to Meacham Airport present another economic driver with benefits of improving our public transit system.
What are the district’s biggest needs heading into the 2026 Bond, and how will you make sure they get addressed?: So far, the largest common needs identified for the 2026 Bond Program are 1) Street repair & maintenance / road infrastructure, 2) public facilities. We laid the foundation for addressing street repair & maintenance by increasing the funding to PayGo in the last budget cycle and the 2026 Bond will address the needs identified by FW Lab based on T/PW and council member input. We will hold public meetings in each council district for resident input. I personally communicate with our neighborhood associations, alliances, and HOAs to receive their input specific to their communities.
We’ve established two new fire stations recently. Fire station #15 was renovated, and Fire station #12 will also be renovated & expanded. Additionally, we’ve broken ground on the new Northwest Police Division. City staff will further update Council on all our facility needs in our Bond discussions.
What role (if any) should the city play in addressing literacy struggles in the Fort Worth school district?: Today, the City of Fort Worth plays collaborative roles with FWISD in funding 50% of School Resource Officers (SROs) for school safety, paying for crossing guards and expanding the number of schools we provide this service to, and working hand-in-hand with the private sector on initiatives like STEM, STEAM, and literacy. The City of Fort Worth interfaces with FWISD through the Education Liaison’s office and the Mayor’s office. I have four ISDs in my council district and have close working relationships with each Superintendent and many trustees.
What concrete steps will you take to address affordable housing in Fort Worth?: As Fort Worth grows, so does the need for affordable housing. One strategy employed to great effect is the rehabilitation of existing properties in addition to building new stock. Another is to provide mixed income housing. As president of the Fort Worth Housing Finance Corporation (FWHFC), we created The Fort Worth Community Land Trust, a non-profit organization, as the first land community land trust in the City’s history. This organization purchases, retains, and leases land to lower income folks who can buy or rent homes on the land at low cost. These properties would remain affordable for future owners if sold. The FWHFC also revisited our developer incentive program for better returns. Permanent Supportive Housing also plays a part in providing quality housing to the chronically homeless with supportive services on-site. Additionally, Mayor and Council are considering putting affordable housing on the upcoming Bond program.
What are the most important qualities for the person who replaces outgoing Police Chief Neil Noakes?: Chief Neil Noakes set high standards for our future police chief. Qualities that I consider important for this position are accountability, servant leadership, active listener, empathic, and effective communicator. That person must be an example to the Police Department and embody the spirit of community policing to our diverse communities. Additionally, they must expect the best from our police officers and continue to improve department processes and conduct necessary policy review.
What else would you like to share with District 2 residents about your vision for the city that we haven’t asked?: As part of my vision for our beloved City, I want to remind our residents that our city isn’t only shaped by elected officials, city staff, or people of influence, but also by everyone who lives and works here. Because Fort Worthians care, our city can face our challenges with courage and resolve and embrace our opportunities.
Joe Ponce Jr.
Did not respond
.jpg)