Texas Ballot Compare

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Nonpartisan voter guide · Texas

Representative, District 1

Race · November 3, 2026 general election

City of El Paso
Vote for oneResearched · fact-checked4-way race
"MJK" Matthew James KozikNonpartisan
Sam ArmijoSam ArmijoNonpartisan
Daniela GarciaNonpartisan
Alejandra "Ale" ChávezAlejandra "Ale" ChávezNonpartisan Incumbent
On ballot as
"MJK" Matthew James Kozik
Sam Armijo
Daniela Garcia
Alejandra "Ale" Chávez
Current role
Attorney; founder, The Matthew James law firm
Retired; former general manager, General Electric nuclear businesses
Administrative assistant
El Paso City Representative, District 1; Mayor Pro Tem
Background
  • Studied political science and African American studies, Ohio State University
  • Attended law school in Washington, D.C.
  • Founder, The Matthew James law firm, El Paso (2019) (per campaign)
  • Firm handles criminal defense and immigration cases (per campaign)
  • Raised in the Cleveland, Ohio area
  • Met his wife while stationed at Fort Bliss; they have two sons
  • B.S. in metallurgical engineering, Texas Western College
  • M.S., University of Arizona
  • Ph.D. in materials science, Stanford University
  • Cathedral High School graduate
  • U.S. Army veteran
Show all 7
  • Endowed a scholarship in materials science at UTEP in 1984 (per candidate)
  • Born and raised in El Paso
  • Bachelor's in visual art and innovative education, Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas
  • Coronado High School graduate (2008)
  • Lead organizer, Desert Defenders, a local group opposing data centers (per candidate)
  • Spent the past year working on land restoration and agricultural sustainability (per candidate)
  • Born and raised in El Paso
  • Bachelor's in corporate communications, minor in business administration, University of Texas at Austin
  • Studied culinary arts, Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners
  • Loretto Academy graduate
  • Owned and ran an El Paso restaurant for 20 years, after culinary school
  • SBA Women in Business Champion of the Year (2022) (per city biography)
  • El Paso native raised in District 1
Experience
  • U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps, active duty and Army Reserve (per campaign)
  • Brigade judge advocate, Afghanistan deployment (per his KVIA questionnaire)
  • Prosecuted crimes at Fort Bliss (per his KVIA questionnaire)
  • Advised a four-star general on ethics in Korea (per his KVIA questionnaire)
  • Bronze Star, Combat Action Badge and two Meritorious Service Medals (per campaign)
  • Political newcomer (per El Paso Matters)
  • Ran for the District 1 seat (November 2024 special election)
  • Served eight years on the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, which advises the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (per candidate)
  • Chaired the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (2012–2014) (per candidate)
  • General manager, several General Electric nuclear businesses, including nuclear fuels and space power (per his KVIA questionnaire)
  • Worked for the City of Austin as an education specialist (per her KVIA questionnaire)
  • Worked for the State of Texas supporting the state health department's software and policy (per her KVIA questionnaire)
  • Has also worked as a loan officer and in her family's company (per candidate)
  • Chair, City Council Financial Oversight and Audit Committee (per candidate)
  • Elected December 2024 (unexpired District 1 term)
  • Sworn in, January 2025
Top priorities
  • "I will vote NO on any new property tax rate and demand property tax reduction."
  • "I will vote NO and fight any new utility rate increase."
  • "tax cuts for El Paso small businesses, not giveaways to billion-dollar corporations"
  • "I will oppose any more data centers in El Paso."
  • Wants to give the city's Ethics Commission "real independence and enforcement power"
  • "City government should live within its means, just like El Paso families do."
  • Wants to "promote the adoption of a permanent no new revenue tax rate for El Paso"
  • On the Deck Plaza: "public funds should remain focused on necessities, not luxuries"
  • "I oppose the 1.3-billion-dollar comprehensive plan to widen Interstate highway I-10."
  • On data centers: "I oppose them."
  • "The decades-long tax incentives to large corporations need to stop"
  • "I plan to support small local businesses, public transportation, sustainable, environmental solutions"
  • Wants to "move council meetings, work sessions, public comments and meeting times to the evenings"
  • Says the Meta data center "must be held accountable to its original promises to the city"
  • Campaign site lists "five core pillars": infrastructure, public safety, quality of life, building community and economic development.
  • "controlling City spending and reducing our reliance on residential property taxes by growing our commercial tax base"
  • "I do not support placing the financial burden of the Downtown I-10 Deck Plaza on local taxpayers."
  • "I will continue supporting stronger regulation, environmental protections, transparency, ratepayer protections, and local control over future development."
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: In a KVIA questionnaire, says he will "vote against any further increase and hold the rate at 79.8 cents through FY 2028".
  • Growth and infrastructure: In a KVIA questionnaire: "I will oppose any more data centers in El Paso." On the Downtown Deck Plaza: "I oppose the deck plaza as currently planned".
  • Flooding and drainage: Campaign site, proposing a stormwater impact fee: "New subdivisions pay no one-time share of the drainage capacity their pavement and rooftops require."
  • Public safety: In a KVIA questionnaire, says his plans would "put more officers on patrol".
  • Property taxes and budget: In a KVIA questionnaire: "I will work to cut this spending permanently from the budget and promote the adoption of a permanent no new revenue tax rate for El Paso."
  • Growth and infrastructure: In a KVIA questionnaire, on data centers: "I oppose them." On the Downtown Deck Plaza: "I oppose the Deck Plaza because it will be a costly entertainment facility".
  • Flooding and drainage: Campaign site: says city spending should focus on "public safety, waste and storm management, and repairing our streets".
  • Public safety: Campaign site: "Public safety is the most important responsibility of local government, and it should remain a top budget priority."
  • Property taxes and budget: In a KVIA questionnaire: "We need to stop relying on our property taxes through tax reform and investment reform."
  • Growth and infrastructure: In a KVIA questionnaire: "Hyperscale data centers are exploitative industries". Says she opposes the Deck Plaza "because it is being sold to the city as a mirage".
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: No public statement found
  • Property taxes and budget: In a KVIA questionnaire, says she wants "a greater share of the cost of City services" to be "supported by a broader tax base rather than homeowners".
  • Growth and infrastructure: In a KVIA questionnaire: "I have never voted to approve a data center." "I do not support placing the financial burden of the Downtown I-10 Deck Plaza on local taxpayers."
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: Campaign site: "Invested in public safety facilities, technology, equipment, and improvements that strengthen police, fire, and emergency response."
Endorsements
None found in our research
None found in our research
None found in our research
  • Greater El Paso Association of Realtors (GEPAR) (listed by campaign)
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (listed by campaign)
  • El Paso Municipal Police Officers Association (listed by campaign)
  • Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas (listed by campaign)
  • El Paso County Sheriff’s Officers Association (listed by campaign)
Campaign website
votemjk.com
samarmijo.com
Not found
alejandraforelpaso.com

"MJK" Matthew James Kozik

Nonpartisan
On ballot as
"MJK" Matthew James Kozik
Current role
Attorney; founder, The Matthew James law firm
Background
  • Studied political science and African American studies, Ohio State University
  • Attended law school in Washington, D.C.
  • Founder, The Matthew James law firm, El Paso (2019) (per campaign)
  • Firm handles criminal defense and immigration cases (per campaign)
  • Raised in the Cleveland, Ohio area
  • Met his wife while stationed at Fort Bliss; they have two sons
Experience
  • U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Corps, active duty and Army Reserve (per campaign)
  • Brigade judge advocate, Afghanistan deployment (per his KVIA questionnaire)
  • Prosecuted crimes at Fort Bliss (per his KVIA questionnaire)
  • Advised a four-star general on ethics in Korea (per his KVIA questionnaire)
  • Bronze Star, Combat Action Badge and two Meritorious Service Medals (per campaign)
  • Political newcomer (per El Paso Matters)
Top priorities
  • "I will vote NO on any new property tax rate and demand property tax reduction."
  • "I will vote NO and fight any new utility rate increase."
  • "tax cuts for El Paso small businesses, not giveaways to billion-dollar corporations"
  • "I will oppose any more data centers in El Paso."
  • Wants to give the city's Ethics Commission "real independence and enforcement power"
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: In a KVIA questionnaire, says he will "vote against any further increase and hold the rate at 79.8 cents through FY 2028".
  • Growth and infrastructure: In a KVIA questionnaire: "I will oppose any more data centers in El Paso." On the Downtown Deck Plaza: "I oppose the deck plaza as currently planned".
  • Flooding and drainage: Campaign site, proposing a stormwater impact fee: "New subdivisions pay no one-time share of the drainage capacity their pavement and rooftops require."
  • Public safety: In a KVIA questionnaire, says his plans would "put more officers on patrol".
Endorsements
None found in our research
Campaign website
votemjk.com
Sam Armijo

Sam Armijo

Nonpartisan
On ballot as
Sam Armijo
Current role
Retired; former general manager, General Electric nuclear businesses
Background
  • B.S. in metallurgical engineering, Texas Western College
  • M.S., University of Arizona
  • Ph.D. in materials science, Stanford University
  • Cathedral High School graduate
  • U.S. Army veteran
Show all 7
  • Endowed a scholarship in materials science at UTEP in 1984 (per candidate)
  • Born and raised in El Paso
Experience
  • Ran for the District 1 seat (November 2024 special election)
  • Served eight years on the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards, which advises the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (per candidate)
  • Chaired the Advisory Committee on Reactor Safeguards (2012–2014) (per candidate)
  • General manager, several General Electric nuclear businesses, including nuclear fuels and space power (per his KVIA questionnaire)
Top priorities
  • "City government should live within its means, just like El Paso families do."
  • Wants to "promote the adoption of a permanent no new revenue tax rate for El Paso"
  • On the Deck Plaza: "public funds should remain focused on necessities, not luxuries"
  • "I oppose the 1.3-billion-dollar comprehensive plan to widen Interstate highway I-10."
  • On data centers: "I oppose them."
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: In a KVIA questionnaire: "I will work to cut this spending permanently from the budget and promote the adoption of a permanent no new revenue tax rate for El Paso."
  • Growth and infrastructure: In a KVIA questionnaire, on data centers: "I oppose them." On the Downtown Deck Plaza: "I oppose the Deck Plaza because it will be a costly entertainment facility".
  • Flooding and drainage: Campaign site: says city spending should focus on "public safety, waste and storm management, and repairing our streets".
  • Public safety: Campaign site: "Public safety is the most important responsibility of local government, and it should remain a top budget priority."
Endorsements
None found in our research
Campaign website
samarmijo.com

Daniela Garcia

Nonpartisan
On ballot as
Daniela Garcia
Current role
Administrative assistant
Background
  • Bachelor's in visual art and innovative education, Southwestern University, Georgetown, Texas
  • Coronado High School graduate (2008)
  • Lead organizer, Desert Defenders, a local group opposing data centers (per candidate)
  • Spent the past year working on land restoration and agricultural sustainability (per candidate)
  • Born and raised in El Paso
Experience
  • Worked for the City of Austin as an education specialist (per her KVIA questionnaire)
  • Worked for the State of Texas supporting the state health department's software and policy (per her KVIA questionnaire)
  • Has also worked as a loan officer and in her family's company (per candidate)
Top priorities
  • "The decades-long tax incentives to large corporations need to stop"
  • "I plan to support small local businesses, public transportation, sustainable, environmental solutions"
  • Wants to "move council meetings, work sessions, public comments and meeting times to the evenings"
  • Says the Meta data center "must be held accountable to its original promises to the city"
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: In a KVIA questionnaire: "We need to stop relying on our property taxes through tax reform and investment reform."
  • Growth and infrastructure: In a KVIA questionnaire: "Hyperscale data centers are exploitative industries". Says she opposes the Deck Plaza "because it is being sold to the city as a mirage".
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: No public statement found
Endorsements
None found in our research
Campaign website
Not found
Alejandra "Ale" Chávez

Alejandra "Ale" Chávez

Nonpartisan Incumbent
On ballot as
Alejandra "Ale" Chávez
Current role
El Paso City Representative, District 1; Mayor Pro Tem
Background
  • Bachelor's in corporate communications, minor in business administration, University of Texas at Austin
  • Studied culinary arts, Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners
  • Loretto Academy graduate
  • Owned and ran an El Paso restaurant for 20 years, after culinary school
  • SBA Women in Business Champion of the Year (2022) (per city biography)
  • El Paso native raised in District 1
Experience
  • Chair, City Council Financial Oversight and Audit Committee (per candidate)
  • Elected December 2024 (unexpired District 1 term)
  • Sworn in, January 2025
Top priorities
  • Campaign site lists "five core pillars": infrastructure, public safety, quality of life, building community and economic development.
  • "controlling City spending and reducing our reliance on residential property taxes by growing our commercial tax base"
  • "I do not support placing the financial burden of the Downtown I-10 Deck Plaza on local taxpayers."
  • "I will continue supporting stronger regulation, environmental protections, transparency, ratepayer protections, and local control over future development."
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: In a KVIA questionnaire, says she wants "a greater share of the cost of City services" to be "supported by a broader tax base rather than homeowners".
  • Growth and infrastructure: In a KVIA questionnaire: "I have never voted to approve a data center." "I do not support placing the financial burden of the Downtown I-10 Deck Plaza on local taxpayers."
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: Campaign site: "Invested in public safety facilities, technology, equipment, and improvements that strengthen police, fire, and emergency response."
Endorsements
  • Greater El Paso Association of Realtors (GEPAR) (listed by campaign)
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (listed by campaign)
  • El Paso Municipal Police Officers Association (listed by campaign)
  • Combined Law Enforcement Association of Texas (listed by campaign)
  • El Paso County Sheriff’s Officers Association (listed by campaign)
Campaign website
alejandraforelpaso.com

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