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City rep chief of staff, social services worker meet in District 5 runoff to represent far Eastside [1]

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Date: 2024-11-26

Voters in El Paso’s sprawling far Eastside will select from two candidates who have never held public office to represent District 5, which comprises most of the Upper Eastside east of Joe Battle Boulevard roughly north of Montwood Drive, in one of five City Council representative races that are part of the Dec. 14 runoff election.

Ivan Niño, 33, chief of staff for District 5 city Rep. Isabel Salcido, emerged as the top vote-getter during the Nov. 5 election, garnering 39% of the ballots in the five-candidate race, which featured three political newcomers and two candidates who had previously unsuccessfully run for office.

Niño represents the latter, having run for El Paso County tax assessor-collector in 2020.

His opponent in the city runoff is Amanda Cunningham, 34, a social services worker and consultant, who is seeking her first public office. She garnered 25% of the vote on election night.

The winner of the race will serve the remainder of Salcido’s unexpired term through January 2027. Salcido ran unsuccessfully for mayor and will have to resign her seat two years early.

Niño and Cunningham have distinct priorities and strategies, though they agree that District 5 residents express similar concerns about traffic congestion, public safety and high property taxes.

Cunningham, who’s campaigning on honest representation and resourcefulness, uses the sign of the cross in her campaign marketing materials.

“As a devoted government official, one dedicates their life to loving the people, advocating for them, and helping all constituents,” she said in a text message response to El Paso Matters, adding that she believes the Christian faith unifies all individuals. “A government official should be transparent and open about what guides their ethical principles.”

She concedes that she lacks experience within city politics.

“I’m just learning that there’s a lot of things that I won’t have a direct answer to and know exactly how we can work it out within City Council until I’m actually in City Council,” Cunningham said.

She said she would look to grants to help alleviate financial burdens and improve quality of life for residents.

“There are so many different levels of grants that we can use from private, state, federal,” she said. “The main goal is to actually help the quality of life and do the best we can.”

Her platform also touches on key voter concerns such as property taxes and utility rates.

The topic of high property taxes in El Paso is popular campaign talk among candidates. However, of the 10 most populous counties in Texas, only one has a lower median home price and a lower median property tax bill than El Paso, an El Paso Matters analysis shows

Cunningham said utility bills are placing a strain on residents, citing a motion passed by City Council earlier this month that directs the city manager and city attorney to ensure compliance by El Paso Electric with state disconnection policies. This came after discussion of an item that included an agenda summary form stating that “nearly 25% of El Paso Electric customers are past due on their electric bills.”

She contrasted El Paso’s utility costs with her experience in Indiana, suggesting the city explore practices successfully implemented in other municipalities such as her native Bloomington, where residents, earlier this year, were encouraged to apply for stormwater grants to pay for home projects.

Niño, who has served as the chief of staff for District 5, leans on his understanding of local government systems and his roots in the district in his campaign. Having lived in the far Eastside most of his life, Niño said he’s addressing infrastructure, public safety and concerns about property taxes and utility costs.

“My focus has to be because that’s what the voters asked for at the moment,” he said.

Niño, who is endorsed by the El Paso Fire Association and the Central Labor Union, said he views the runoff election as an opportunity to reconnect with voters.

The Dec. 14 election will likely hinge on turnout, a challenge during the holiday season. Niño remains optimistic, citing the 7,000 votes he secured in November as evidence of a strong base.

“It shows that the community does believe in my message,” he said.

Similarly, Cunningham is banking on an informed electorate making deliberate choices in the runoff.

“The more that they are informed, the better that they will be able to vote for what matches exactly what they want,” she said.

Both candidates addressed the narrowly approved arena bond revocation proposal in the Nov. 5 election, saying it highlighted divisions among El Pasoans on funding large projects through taxpayer dollars.

Cunningham suggested exploring private funding options for large-scale, high-dollar development without adding to the city’s debt. Niño echoed the importance of prioritizing infrastructure and other pressing needs over revisiting the controversial arena.

El Paso’s binational location places it at the center of national immigration debates, and both candidates said they believe it’s important to support migrants.

Cunningham said she was maintaining ongoing engagement with nonprofits in preparation to help migrants navigate challenges related to deportation and resettlement. She declined to elaborate on details regarding her involvement.

“City Council should address (these issues) because they are in our community,” she said.

Niño emphasized the need for collaboration with federal and local agencies to ensure public safety and provide migrants essential resources like food and shelter. He also called for greater transparency in explaining the city’s role in addressing border-related concerns.

“It’s really informing the public even what they can do to advocate in their own voice with other governmental entities,” he said.

Cunningham and Niño said they will work to ensure the district’s needs are matched with policies that reflect residents’ priorities.

For Cunningham, it’s about balancing fiscal responsibility with improving quality of life.

Niño, meanwhile, sees the election as a chance to deepen the district’s connection to local government.

Early voting for the Dec. 14 runoff election begins Dec. 2.

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[1] Url: https://elpasomatters.org/2024/11/26/el-paso-runoff-election-2024-city-council-district-5-eastside-candidates/

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