CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Election season might feel like it's behind us, but that is not the case for the handful of Coastal Bend candidates who made it to the runoff election.
Two candidates you will see on your ballot once again in December, May Mendoza and Kaylynn Paxson, are vying for your vote for the City Council District 4 seat which serves The Island and Flour Bluff.
Both Mendoza and Paxson wear many hats in the community.
"I am very passionate about serving communities," Paxson said. "I do that for my 9-5, I am a community outreach director for a local municipality."
"I feel like everything that I've done has led me to here, where I feel that I'll be the best, most effective leader to be able to give the skills not only as a business owner, but as a leader in the community," Mendoza said.
Both women rose to the top of their leaderboard in the general election landing them in this runoff.
"It's very hard to get people out in a runoff election," Mendoza said. "Typically, about a third will show up and that's to be anticipated again this year. But I think it's great because when I'm out there, the people that supported me the first time, it's so amazing to see their enthusiasm and their excitement."
"You know, the district really turned out for us, but we're going to treat every day going forward -- until it is a final victory -- like it's day one," Paxson said. "We're going to continue to work hard and, you know, thank the district for voting and ask them to come out one more time."
Each candidate told 3NEWS what their priorities would be if elected.
"First, of course, reducing public inefficient spending and taking the taxes and fees down reducing those," Paxson said. "Secondly, infrastructure creating a good plan that's a real plan and a thorough plan doing the right thing. Thirdly, returning the focus back to the district, to the people, making sure that they are the priority. "
"The number one thing is really working with our streets; the streets not only affect our residents, but they also affect our business owners," Mendoza said. "Another main issue would be public safety. The third most important thing is water; water is just a huge issue, and that's something that I'm really paying attention to, whether it be in the Inner Harbor, Harbor Island at the end of the day, we need to make sure that we do what's safe for our community."
Early voting begins Dec. 2. The day to participate in the runoff election is Dec. 14.