What was your reason for entering elected politics?
My parents both served our community as volunteers and raised me to give back to our community. Like them, I want to make our community and city a better place. My late father was president of the All-Saints Parish council, served on City boards & commissions, and was the first president of the Crime Control & Prevention District (CCPD). My mother was a teaching assistant and volunteered at my school and church. I also followed their examples serving as my neighborhood association president, the president of The Fort Worth League of Neighborhoods, and crime watch volunteer. I also volunteered years of service on City boards & commissions before being elected to City Council.
What is the biggest difference between you and your opponent?
My opponent’s message to voters is a negative one. He said at recent candidate forums, “I’m running because things are so bad.” Yet, he has no solutions to offer. My outlook is positive because I am a problem solver by nature and by profession. I have a proven track record of delivering results for residents: lowering taxes, hired more police officers & fire fighters, improving communities, and continue to work collaboratively to solve issues. He has no relevant experience.
What is your two biggest accomplishments since you were first elected?
Two of my biggest accomplishments since being elected: 1) Being the only councilmember to be awarded two Neighborhood Improvement Plans for their district. 2) The successful Stockyards Redevelopment, the largest in the city, which has created jobs, tourism, increased sales tax revenue, while accomplishing historic preservation.
What was the biggest surprise in the campaign?
How little new candidates know about city governance and how local government functions.
Is this election cycle different than the previous if yes why?
I think our national politics has affected local politics in how the voting public perceives and reacts to local elected officials. City council is non-partisan. However, several candidates running are running partisan campaigns.
What are your first 3 priorities if elected for this year?
1) Lower Taxes – Since being elected and every year, I have voted to lower the property tax rate to reduce the tax burden on residents. Last year, we on Council increased the homestead exemption for 65 & older and those with disabilities to $80,000. That’s double the homestead exemption from 2017.
2) Public Safety – A safe city is a thriving city. I am a steadfast advocate for safe communities and as councilmember, increased the number of police officers as well as provided more training resources and equipment. As president of the Crime Control and Prevention District, increased the funding to community organizations that assist in crime prevention, and funded a new upcoming Police Northwest Patrol Division.
3) Fix Streets & Infrastructure – Added an additional $10.4M to our neighborhood street repair & maintenance PayGo fund, improved the MyFW app for residents to report more issues to the city, increased environmental services, planned & funded major arterial road projects (in-progress & upcoming).
Do you think you can increase voter turnout and why?
The most effective way to increase voter turnout is to have organized efforts for voter registration. A registered voter is an informed voter who then becomes an engaged voter.
3 things we should know about you, that most don’t?
1) I’m an Aerospace Engineer
2) I’m a rancher
3) Performed with the Texas Ballet and Fort Worth Opera
How can the city of Fort Worth ensure the safety of the immigrant residents and their children?
Continue partnerships with immigrant & refugee services. ZIP Code 76119, 76106 and 76116 received the most refugees over a five-year span. Two of those zip codes are in District 2. Through community policing, the City establishes trust with the immigrant community.
*Information entirely provided by Carlos Flores