Runoff Election Candidates Prepare for Final Vote

With the July 2nd election just around the corner, and early voting having started last week, San Angelo LIVE! reached out to the candidates of both the police chief and city council elections to get their final thoughts on their campaigns.

Here is what they had to say.

Chief of Police:

Tim Vasquez: Incumbent

1. What has been the most challenging part of campaigning in the runoff election?

“I’d say the biggest challenge has been that my opponent has refused to get in a debate or televised forum where his platforms would come under scrutiny. I understand why he wouldn’t want to. Many of the things he has proposed sound good on the surface but are not really achievable. I believe there are times when the public demands to hear from the chief they elected. I feel, even as candidates, we are honor bound to respond. I am afraid my opponent doesn’t realize how much of our department's success depends on our relationship with the public. We may not be able to pay our officers as much as other cities, but they know they will not be more appreciated anywhere than they are in San Angelo. And that starts with a chief who doesn’t shy away from the camera.”

2. What are your expectations for early voting?

“Some say high turnout is good for the incumbent; some say it’s bad. Some say this runoff will have low numbers; some say they will be high. Honestly, I have no idea. I think we have come into a time when campaigns are evolving so fast the past can’t be used to predict today.”

3. Why should the citizens vote for you?

“In a nutshell, because we are facing a kind of perfect storm for crime. We had a historic surge of population. Many of these people [were] drawn here by jobs that almost immediately disappeared. Population boom and economic bust. We did not have the money to beef up the department when we knew they were coming, and now sales tax revenues are down even more. Now is not the time for a new chief to come in and learn the realities of administrating this department. That is why, when I hear some of the things my opponent proposes, it alarms me because I see the potential loss of progress.”

Vasquez explained further by talking about the experience he gained from working with other agencies outside of San Angelo, and what he can do for the increasing growth of the city. 

“The experience I have gained, the formal education I have pursued, and the things I have learned from agencies outside San Angelo since then have prepared me for what we weathered with the population growth and the challenges immediately ahead.”

4. How have you dealt with any criticisms, or negative publicity during the course of the campaign?

“I’d say not as well as I should have. I should be used to it. The same ideological factions have fought me from the beginning, mostly the same people. It’s funny because there was a letter to the editor that basically spelled out that the “opposition within the department” is the same constituency that has opposed me every election and clarifies that it doesn’t represent some new discord. I hope voters picked up on that.”

He continued by addressing what he has evaluated about himself in any public debates he participated in, and what effects that’s had on him.

“I admit I have watched some of the debates and you can see on my face that I am impatient. I still love the job. And it really isn’t this contemptuous when it’s not election time. I used to enjoy campaigning as well. I like to mix it up and debate ideas, and often you can learn a lot that way, but in a civil manner. Eventually, it does wear on you to defend points that seem like they should be obvious. You lose patience with smiling when you know someone is distorting the truth. And it becomes painful when your mother or your daughter tells you the latest ugly thing they read on Facebook. And so I think you can tell in the debates that I look weary, and I’m sure the voters did pick up on that. I wish I had handled it better.”

He finished this question by addressing the CLEAT survey, and what he would have done differently regarding the news.

“I also think that I overestimated how obvious the flaws with the CLEAT survey were and underestimated how concerned the public would be by it. I wish I had addressed it point by point right away. I feel certain not doing so hurt me.”

5. If you win the election, what will you do during the first day?

“Actually, I want to revisit the survey with the board of the local union affiliate, SACOP. I plan to ask them to present their ideas on how it can be made clearer to the rank and file officers that their input is valued. I’d also like to find out if they are willing to conduct a second survey in cooperation with our administration and city management.

For that survey, I would hope to enlist some of the ASU faculty to apply their expertise to help us design a survey that will help us arrive not only at perceived problems, but [also] possible solutions. It would be great if my legacy could be to find a way to diminish the negative impact of future elections within the department. No promises, but I’d like to try.”

Frank Carter: (Challenger)

San Angelo LIVE! reach out to Frank Carter for an update on his campaign, but he has yet to respond to our requests. Should he do so, we will be happy to provide an update with that information.

Single Member District 5 Election:

Elizabeth Grindstaff, SMD 5: (Incumbent)

1. What has been the most challenging part of campaigning in the runoff election?

“Without question, it has been a challenge to overcome misinformation that had been circulated identifying me as quote “the queen of the potty water” and blaming me for any number of things the citizens aren’t happy about, yet do so without getting in the mud. And in that spirit, I want to be clear. I do not believe my opponent was responsible for the postcards and flyers I am talking about. But I think they did mislead some people about who I am and what I have done.”

2. What are your thoughts on early voting so far?
“I just hope that everyone takes advantage of the extended early voting, and [everyone] gets out and votes. Win or lose, I hope to not hear anyone say they didn’t make it to the polls. There [was] a two vote difference between my opponent and myself, so no one can think their vote doesn’t matter. Every vote matters!”

3. Why should the citizens vote for you?

 “I am here because others convinced me two years ago that I had the experience and the knowledge to make a difference. I believe I have done just that.

There are many important issues facing our city with which I can help bring to the forefront for public discussion. I can appreciate idealism, but simply pointing out how we’d like things to be seems to have become misconstrued as common sense.

Common sense is being pragmatic. It says that first we have to know how something works and what tools are available, and then work within those limitations to affect change. From my degree through my 24-year career in city government, I know how the inside of the machine works. In order to actually fix anything, you first have to understand that you are only one vote on the council. Alone you can accomplish nothing. The rest of the council has to have faith in you if you are going to build consensus. The council’s recent vote for me as Mayor Pro Tem establishes that I have their confidence. I feel like that was a strong message to the voters.

The simple fact is, I have about as much training and experience in city governance as my opponent does in years on this earth. My desire is to use this knowledge and experience for the benefit of the citizens of San Angelo, whether protecting their tax dollars or helping to develop a vision for our future.”

4. How have you dealt with any criticisms, or negative publicity during the course of the campaign?

“Sure, I have, and during my first term is well. The only difference now might be the motivations. I readily accept that public discourse and criticisms come with the position. We can’t all agree all the time, and I can’t represent you and your neighbor without risking one or the other of you being unhappy. It is only by hearing your concerns can we ever hope to find solutions everyone can live with...That is why I hold the neighborhood chats... Because to me, that is representative government at its best.

On the other hand, behind the scenes and online, I have been the target of untrue assertions about everything from my morals to my political and religious beliefs, and while I am big girl and can take it, I would suggest to those who propagate these things that doing so damages our community. As people get more comfortable using negative tactics in local elections, fewer and fewer people are going to be willing to serve in these offices; and we all lose then.”

5. If you win the election, what will you do during the first day?

“The most challenging part has been letting the voters know that experience isn’t everything.” Carter also said having experience in politics shouldn’t be the defining quality that makes a councilman, or councilwomen, qualified to hold his or her position.

Carter added that most voters understand this, but convincing those who reject that view has been the most difficult part of his campaign.

“Everybody has to start somewhere on that Council,” Carter said.

 Even though most had experience with city government before sitting on the Council, none of them had experience of actually sitting in the chairs before being sworn in.

2. What are your thoughts on Early Voting?

Carter said he wants to debunk the myth that every run-off election has lower turnout for voting.

“I want to show that by the numbers, as of last Friday, an average of 750 people have voted in the runoff election per day,” he said.

Carter added that this is significant considering the polls had been open for five days.

“I am excited by those numbers. I would like to reach as close to the same amount, if not more, than what was in the May 7th election,” Carter said.

He acknowledged that he knows voters who were not able to vote the first time, and they have said they will be out there this time around.

“Having two positions on the ballot, that makes the importance even higher,” noted Carter.

 3. Why should the citizens vote for you?

“From my perspective, elected officials are supposed to voice the concerns of the people, and make the decisions for them, not make decisions for the city; that will affect the people,” Carter said. "That’s what sets me aside. I know how to represent and voice the opinions of the people because I’ve made those contacts.

Of the estimated 7,600 voters living in SMD 5, Carter said he attempted to make contact with all of them. He still introduced himself to those who aren’t registered voters because he will still represent them if he wins the election.

“I want to reach out to them, let them know who I am, and what I’m running for,” Carter said. “Their voices matter, and I want to hear what [the voters] have to say because, if they live in that district, they have a say in what happens, or at least deserve to be informed of the decisions and presentations made by the council.

4. How have you dealt with any criticisms, or negative publicity during the course of the campaign?

Carter said the biggest criticisms for his campaign is regarding his age and experience.

“I’ve told [the voters] about my own experience. Being a business owner, and starting at a young age in high school and continuing through college.” He said running his business while also attending college classes taught him about time management and finances.

Carter isn’t trying to compare himself with other people, but having to run his own business from a young age, and making it grow into what it is today, that is the experience he wants the voters to think about.

5. If you win the election, what will you do during the first day?

Carter said he would start as soon as he hears the results on July 2^nd by following this order.  

“Number one, I thank God for letting me do this, and for the experience of running in this election. I want His wisdom to run through me to make the right decisions.”

Secondly, Carter said he would hug and thank his family, friends, and supporters for their support during this election. On his first day in office, he would get out on the streets at talk with the citizens, and start scheduling the meetings that need to happen.

“There is no honeymoon period; skip the honeymoon and let’s start the job,” Carter said.

Election Day

The following is a list of locations of where registered voters can cast their ballot on July 2. Polls will open from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Election Day.

• Angelo Bible Church - 3506 Sherwood Way
• Belmore Baptist Church - 1214 S. Bell St. 
• Calvary Baptist Church - 2401 Armstrong St. 
• Christoval Community Center - 20022 Main St., Christoval
• Community Medical Center - 3501 Knickerbocker Road 
• Concho Valley Transit District (bus depot) - 510 N. Chadbourne St. 
• SAF (First Assembly of God Church) - 1442 Edmund Blvd. 
• Grape Creek ISD Administration Building - 8207 U.S. Highway 87 North
• Keating Paint & Body Shop - 5050 N. Chadbourne St.
• MHMR – 1501 W. Beauregard Ave.
• Paulann Baptist Church - 2531 Smith Blvd.
• Plaza del Sol Apts. - 4375 Oak Grove Blvd.
• San Angelo (Public) Housing Authority - 420 E. 28th St.
• St. Ambrose Catholic Church – 8602 Texas Loop 570, Wall
• Segunda Iglesia Bautista – 530 W. Avenue T
• Southgate Church of Christ - 528 Country Club Road
• Texas Department of Transportation - 4502 Knickerbocker Road, Building E
• Veribest Baptist Church - 50 FM 2334, Veribest
• Wesley Trinity United Methodist Church - 301 W. 18th St.
• West Texas Rehabilitation Center - 1925 University Ave.

Election Day polling locations are also available on the City’s website at cosatx.us/elections. Static and interactive maps of City Council districts can be found at costax.us/CityCouncil.

All voting will be done with electronic ballots on Election Day. Paper ballots were available only during early voting.

Voters citywide will elect a police chief to a four-year term. Residents in City Council District 5 will also elect their City Council representative for the next three years. Candidates for each office in the order they appear on the ballot are:

• Police chief – Tim Vasquez, Frank Carter.
• District 5 – Elizabeth Miller Grindstaff, Lane Carter.

Photo identification is required to vote. Any of these seven forms is acceptable:

• Texas driver’s license.
• Texas Election Identification Certificate (issued by the Department of Public Safety).
• Texas personal identification card (issued by DPS).
• Texas concealed handgun license (issued by DPS).
• U.S. military identification card containing the person’s photo.
• U.S. citizenship certificate containing the person’s photo.
• U.S. passport.

With the exception of the U.S. citizenship certificate, the identification must be current or have expired no more than 60 days before being presented for voter qualification at the polling place.

Voters without an acceptable form of ID will be offered a provisional ballot and informed of their right to show an ID to the voter registrar no later than six days after the election. 

Voters who cast a provisional ballot because of a lack of photo ID will have until 2 p.m. Friday, July 8, to appear at the Tom Green County Elections Office on the second floor of the Edd B. Keyes Building, 113 W. Beauregard Ave., and show an acceptable ID.

Mailed ballots must be received by the Elections Office via mail no later than Saturday, July 2.

For more information, visit voteTomGreenCounty.org or cosatx.us/elections.

On May 7, Bill Richardson was elected to the City Council’s District 1 seat and Harry Thomas was elected District 3 representative. Each will serve a three-year term.

Through the first seven of nine days of early voting, 4,103 ballots had been cast. In May, 4,457 early votes were cast. By comparison, 2,420 voters voted early in 2012 during the most recent police chief election; 2,746 votes were cast early during the last mayoral election in 2015; and 2,170 early votes were tallied during the November city charter election.