CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Since an incumbent is not running in the District 3 race, a new face is guaranteed to take over the council seat that includes most of the city from Agnes Street all the way to Airline Drive.
Business owner Eric Cantu is ready to make a change in the community and said the best way to do that is to be part of city council.
"Our population hasn't grown at all and we're working with a $1.8 billion budget; it's a lot of money," he said. "And the city has a lot of needs, but what they're doing is they're taking care of their wants. And we need to figure out our needs before our wants."
After a 44-year career in the private sector, Alberto Carrillo is retiring and switching his attention to serving the community.
"I am a person of integrity, I am transparent -- what you see, is what you get, no hidden agendas -- and I bring in a wealth of experience, maybe not in the public sector but I do bring it in from the world of business," Carrillo said.
Each candidate has a list of priorities they are hoping to work on if they're elected.
"My number one is public safety," Cantu said. "We need more police officers, firefighters and paramedics in Corpus Christi. Number two would be water; we need good, quality water for the residents of Corpus Christi. And number three is, I want to make Corpus Christi a no-kill for our animals."
"Making priorities, whether it's water, infrastructure, economic growth and development and bringing that restoration and trust from our residents," Carrillo said.
Both candidates are passionate about certain issues in Corpus Christi, especially the Inner Harbor Desalination project.
"I'm against Inner Harbor," Cantu said. "I don't think that the Inner Harbor is a good location. I understand that we need water and we need water quick but we need to find another solution than in the Inner Harbor."
"So far now regarding Inner Harbor, I'd say no," Carrillo said. "And again, I don't have all the facts, I'm not seeing apples for apples. I need to see it all."
Voting booths will be open Saturday and Sunday and all next week, for anyone wanting to beat the crowd to the polls on Nov. 5.