Candidates Adam Hernandez, Steve Massengale, Mark McBrayer, Antonio Renteria and Stephen Sanders gather for Tech the Vote’s forum. Photo by Avery Mendoza.
By Avery Mendoza
As Lubbock’s mayoral campaign season is in full swing, Tech The Vote hosted a forum on Wednesday, April 3, for students and citizens to hear from five candidates at the Texas Tech Law School’s Lanier Auditorium.
Candidates Adam Hernandez, Steve Massengale, Mark McBrayer, Antonio Renteria and Stephen Sanders answered questions from a host of moderators from Tech The Vote and the Student Government Association regarding issues for student voters. Candidate Kolton Bacon was not present at the forum.
Here are highlights from the event:
Candidates were first asked about their policies, plans and initiatives for Lubbock’s road and housing infrastructure.
Hernandez said he is an advocate of infill development that would offer more options for housing and small businesses in the city’s established communities. He also wants to allocate resources to make the city pedestrian friendly.
Massengale said he would ensure street infrastructure is viable. He said the city has already taken great strides in solving this problem through voter-approved street bond. Work approved in a 2022 election has started on streets like Quaker Avenue.
McBrayer said to solve this problem, the city must allocate funds correctly, and that if elected, he will ensure the city budget properly reflects the core services of the community. He added that serving citizen’s essential needs should be a priority.
Renteria said he will allocate for more student housing, and would keep property taxes low to ensure success of the community.
Sanders said he will help build communities but also approaches this problem with caution. He said the mayor needs to be responsible with the city’s budget and address issues strategically.
Proposition A
Candidates were then asked about their stance on Proposition A, otherwise known as the “Freedom Act.” The proposition calls for reduced police enforcement of the possession of four ounces of marijuana. If passed by citizens, law enforcement would no longer be able to use marijuana odor as a reason for search and seizure.
Lubbock Compact Member Hernandez said he supports the passing of this proposition, as it will lead to a decrease in the stigmatization of weed. He said it would also allow law enforcement to allocate their time and resources to other needs in the city.
Candidate Adam Hernandez answers questions before the crowd of the Lanier Auditorium. Photo by Avery Mendoza.
Massengale said he has already voted against the proposition, which was presented to the city council last year. Council unanimously voted against the ordinance. Massengale has served on the council for eight years. He said he believes the act is dangerous and called marijuana a gateway drug. He added that it also goes against state law.
McBrayer, who has served on Lubbock’s city council for two years, said he has also voted against the proposition. He said this proposition will only make it harder for law enforcement to do their jobs.
Renteria said he is also against the proposition. He said he believes it could lead to greater rates of drug dealing in younger populations. He highlighted the amount of marijuana the ordinance would apply to as a key issue he has with the proposition.
Sanders said he is also against the proposition. He recalled using marijuana in the past and said using the substance can affect health and finances. He said there are implications for engaging in that kind of behavior.
Transportation and Parking
Candidates were asked about how they would address traffic and parking problems both on the Tech campus and in surrounding areas.
Hernandez said the city needs to study how land is currently used and reiterated his promise to make Lubbock more walkable. He said if elected, he would also like to improve the city’s public transportation system by making it more efficient and accessible.
Massengale said he is willing to talk with student groups to find out the most crucial problems to address first, while also keeping in mind the concerns of other pedestrians. He said the university’s growth has naturally led to parking issues and that making the area more pedestrian-friendly is one strategy for easing that.
McBrayer said he is focused on analyzing the routes buses take around Lubbock, and seeing what they can change and expand. He called Lubbock a convenient city that can be navigated quickly.
Renteria said he would make sure there is a greater frequency of buses coming in and out of campus to help students who live off campus.
Sanders agreed with other candidates that the bus route system should be expanded, including in areas other than around campus. He said adding more public transportation routes could help people find jobs and other opportunities outside of walking-distance limitations.
Student Engagement
Candidates were asked how they will address student concerns and encourage young voters to participate in local politics.
Hernandez said he is already involved with students, as he has frequented the free speech area and worked with multiple student organizations. He said it’s mutually beneficial to engage with the student population, as it can give community leaders more perspective and young people civic experience.
Massengale said he has a working relationship with SGA but will do more to hear the concerns of the students. He agreed that city leaders and students should learn from each other.
McBrayer said getting politically active while young is something that will help you down the line in life, and that public forums like the one hosted by Tech The Vote are perfect entry points.
Renteria said public forums on campus are positive steps in connecting with the student body. He said he would also like to see students involved in policy conversations.
Sanders said he hopes more people utilize the free speech area on campus to reach out to students. He added that he has actively tried to get a better understanding of student issues.
Students React
Following the forum, students shared what they learned about the candidate’s and their perspectives.
Uriel Moctézuma, a sophomore engineering student from Houston, said he wished the candidates expanded more on the population of international students at Tech, but supported Hernandez’s policies towards walkable cities and bus routes.
“We have over 3,000 international students at Texas Tech and that is a good chunk of the population that weren’t talked about at all,” Moctezuma said. “A lot of them don’t have cars or means of transportation, and Adam touched upon this a little with his walkable cities which I agree with.”
Elijah McCutchan, a junior animal science student from Pflugerville, said he is glad the candidates are focused on expansion but also wished there was more effort to revitalize areas like downtown.
“They need to focus on downtown. I live around that area and it’s a craphole. There are roads torn up, potholes everywhere, and just a lack of empathy and care for homeless people,” McCutchan said. “I believe Adam and Sanders were very empathetic, but I didn’t get that vibe from the middle three, and I believe we need to elect someone who is empathetic and caring.”
Kevin Allen, a senior psychology major from Lubbock, said he wanted the candidates to address the concerns of disabled students. He said most methods fall short with helping those with ADA accommodations.
“I wished the candidates showed support for those with disabilities trying to seek an education, and universal methods aren’t the best,” Allen said. “I have spoken with Adam and Sanders and they have expressed concerns with helping those with disabilities but the other three candidates said ‘there is nothing we can do.’”
The Lubbock mayor municipal election will be held on May 4, with early voting periods beginning April 22 and ending on April 30. To find polling locations and more information about what we will be on the ballot visit the Lubbock County Elections website.
About Reece Nations
