Texas Ballot Compare

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Nonpartisan voter guide · Texas

Mayor

Race · November 3, 2026 general election

City of Corpus Christi
Vote for oneResearched · fact-checked7-way race
Kaylynn PaxsonKaylynn PaxsonNonpartisan
David Ainsworth Sr.David Ainsworth Sr.Nonpartisan
Paulette M. GuajardoPaulette M. GuajardoNonpartisan Incumbent
Gil HernandezGil HernandezNonpartisan
Chelise HyattNonpartisan
John CalkusicNonpartisan
Dave HeasleyNonpartisan
On ballot as
Kaylynn Paxson
David Ainsworth Sr.
Paulette M. Guajardo
Gil Hernandez
Chelise Hyatt
John Calkusic
Dave Heasley
Current role
Corpus Christi City Council Member, District 4
President, Ainsworth Trucking and Services
Mayor of Corpus Christi
Corpus Christi City Council Member, District 5
Development executive, Scouting America South Texas Council
Business owner
Self-employed
Background
  • Bachelor's in political science, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
  • Master's in public administration, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
  • Self-employed (per city's candidate list)
  • Background in business, economic development and city government (per Caller-Times questionnaire)
  • Raised in Corpus Christi (per city biography)
  • Born and raised in Corpus Christi (per campaign)
  • Lifelong resident and business owner (per campaign)
  • Graduate, Flour Bluff High School
  • Bachelor of Business Administration, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
  • Former owner and operator, Allstate insurance agency (15 years, before entering public office)
  • Bachelor's degree in business administration, Texas Tech University
  • U.S. Navy veteran; commissioned in 1991 as a surface warfare officer
  • 18 years with the Coca-Cola Company, last as national sales manager for South Texas
  • Consultant (per candidate)
  • Bachelor's degree (per Caller-Times questionnaire)
  • Experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, grant writing and youth programming (per Caller-Times questionnaire)
  • Originally from Missouri (per KEDT's candidate profile)
  • Moved to Corpus Christi in 2021 (per KEDT's candidate profile)
Not found
Not found
Experience
  • Elected December 2024; took office January 2025 (per campaign)
  • As mayor pro tem, carried out the mayor's responsibilities during the mayor's 30-day suspension, Aug. 8 to Sept. 6, 2026
  • No City Council experience (per KEDT's candidate profile)
  • City Council, At-Large (first elected 2016; two terms)
  • Elected mayor in December 2020 runoff; re-elected 2022 and 2024
  • Aug. 7, 2026: after a removal hearing, City Council voted to reprimand her and suspend her from office for 30 days (Aug. 8 to Sept. 6)
  • Votes to remove her did not pass
  • She has denied wrongdoing and said the process "lacked fundamental fairness"
  • Elected December 2018; re-elected three times (fourth term)
  • Appointed in 2010 to the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority board of directors
  • No prior elected office (per Caller-Times questionnaire)
  • Ran for mayor of Corpus Christi (November 2024 general election)
Not found
Top priorities
  • "My first priority is a reliable and affordable long-term water supply"
  • "we need to improve the basics: streets, sidewalks, drainage, lighting and other infrastructure residents use every day"
  • "I want more accountability and better use of taxpayer dollars at City Hall"
  • "Secure Corpus Christi's water future"
  • "Invest in roads, utilities, and critical systems that support daily life and economic growth"
  • "Bring transparency, responsibility, and common sense back to city government"
  • "secure Corpus Christi's water future by advancing Inner Harbor Desalination and delivering a permanent, drought-resistant supply"
  • "restore relationships in Austin and Washington D.C in order to secure funding, infrastructure investment and opportunities for our city"
  • "strengthen public safety with the staffing and resources our first responders need"
  • Top priorities: "safe and reliable water, reasonable costs, accountable government, responsible growth, supported public safety" (August 2026 news release)
  • "Continued improvement of public infrastructure (i.e. streets, utilities, and facilities), budget and debt management, affordable alternative water sources"
  • "My top three priorities are water security, infrastructure, and responsible city government"
  • "aggressively address deteriorating streets, drainage, and flooding"
  • "ensure taxpayers receive transparent, accountable government that carefully manages public dollars"
Not found
Not found
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: Campaign site: "A conservative, common-sense budget that eliminates wasteful spending, holds the line on taxes and fees, and lives within its means"
  • Growth and infrastructure: Caller-Times questionnaire: "I support desalination, but I do not support Inner Harbor because of its potential environmental impacts, high cost, limited 30 MGD capacity and long timeline."
  • Flooding and drainage: Campaign site: "A comprehensive, accountable plan for our streets and drainage, with clear timelines and results you can see in your own neighborhood."
  • Public safety: No public statement found
  • Property taxes and budget: Caller-Times questionnaire: "Residents should be able to see where their tax dollars are going."
  • Growth and infrastructure: Caller-Times questionnaire: "I support desalination as part of Corpus Christi's long-term water solution, but I do not support moving forward with the Inner Harbor project unless we can clearly demonstrate that it is environmentally responsible"
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: Campaign site: "Focus on public safety, property standards, and quality of life across Corpus Christi."
  • Property taxes and budget: Caller-Times questionnaire: "I voted against raising property taxes and against increasing water rates."
  • Growth and infrastructure: Caller-Times questionnaire, on the Inner Harbor desalination plant: "Corpus Christi needs a permanent, drought-resistant water supply now. Inner Harbor has critical permits, affordable state financing and key agreements in place."
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: Caller-Times questionnaire: "strengthen public safety with the staffing and resources our first responders need"
  • Property taxes and budget: Caller-Times questionnaire: names "budget and debt management" among his top three priorities
  • Growth and infrastructure: Caller-Times questionnaire: "The Inner Harbor is NOT the best location. A site closer to the Gulf like Barney Davis or Harbor Island is a better option."
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: In an August 2026 news release quoted by the Caller-Times, listed "supported public safety" among his top priorities
  • Property taxes and budget: Caller-Times questionnaire: "ensure taxpayers receive transparent, accountable government that carefully manages public dollars"
  • Growth and infrastructure: Caller-Times questionnaire: "I support moving the Inner Harbor desalination project forward while continuing to pursue every viable water source available."
  • Flooding and drainage: Caller-Times questionnaire: "aggressively address deteriorating streets, drainage, and flooding"
  • Public safety: No public statement found
  • Property taxes and budget: No public statement found
  • Growth and infrastructure: No public statement found
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: No public statement found
  • Property taxes and budget: No public statement found
  • Growth and infrastructure: No public statement found
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: No public statement found
Endorsements
None found in our research
None found in our research
  • Coastal Bend Coalition
None found in our research
None found in our research
None found in our research
None found in our research
Campaign website
kaylynnpaxson.com
voteainsworth.com
pauletteguajardo.com
Not found
Not found
Not found
Not found
Kaylynn Paxson

Kaylynn Paxson

Nonpartisan
On ballot as
Kaylynn Paxson
Current role
Corpus Christi City Council Member, District 4
Background
  • Bachelor's in political science, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
  • Master's in public administration, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
  • Self-employed (per city's candidate list)
  • Background in business, economic development and city government (per Caller-Times questionnaire)
  • Raised in Corpus Christi (per city biography)
Experience
  • Elected December 2024; took office January 2025 (per campaign)
  • As mayor pro tem, carried out the mayor's responsibilities during the mayor's 30-day suspension, Aug. 8 to Sept. 6, 2026
Top priorities
  • "My first priority is a reliable and affordable long-term water supply"
  • "we need to improve the basics: streets, sidewalks, drainage, lighting and other infrastructure residents use every day"
  • "I want more accountability and better use of taxpayer dollars at City Hall"
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: Campaign site: "A conservative, common-sense budget that eliminates wasteful spending, holds the line on taxes and fees, and lives within its means"
  • Growth and infrastructure: Caller-Times questionnaire: "I support desalination, but I do not support Inner Harbor because of its potential environmental impacts, high cost, limited 30 MGD capacity and long timeline."
  • Flooding and drainage: Campaign site: "A comprehensive, accountable plan for our streets and drainage, with clear timelines and results you can see in your own neighborhood."
  • Public safety: No public statement found
Endorsements
None found in our research
Campaign website
kaylynnpaxson.com
David Ainsworth Sr.

David Ainsworth Sr.

Nonpartisan
On ballot as
David Ainsworth Sr.
Current role
President, Ainsworth Trucking and Services
Background
  • Born and raised in Corpus Christi (per campaign)
  • Lifelong resident and business owner (per campaign)
Experience
  • No City Council experience (per KEDT's candidate profile)
Top priorities
  • "Secure Corpus Christi's water future"
  • "Invest in roads, utilities, and critical systems that support daily life and economic growth"
  • "Bring transparency, responsibility, and common sense back to city government"
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: Caller-Times questionnaire: "Residents should be able to see where their tax dollars are going."
  • Growth and infrastructure: Caller-Times questionnaire: "I support desalination as part of Corpus Christi's long-term water solution, but I do not support moving forward with the Inner Harbor project unless we can clearly demonstrate that it is environmentally responsible"
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: Campaign site: "Focus on public safety, property standards, and quality of life across Corpus Christi."
Endorsements
None found in our research
Campaign website
voteainsworth.com
Paulette M. Guajardo

Paulette M. Guajardo

Nonpartisan Incumbent
On ballot as
Paulette M. Guajardo
Current role
Mayor of Corpus Christi
Background
  • Graduate, Flour Bluff High School
  • Bachelor of Business Administration, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi
  • Former owner and operator, Allstate insurance agency (15 years, before entering public office)
Experience
  • City Council, At-Large (first elected 2016; two terms)
  • Elected mayor in December 2020 runoff; re-elected 2022 and 2024
  • Aug. 7, 2026: after a removal hearing, City Council voted to reprimand her and suspend her from office for 30 days (Aug. 8 to Sept. 6)
  • Votes to remove her did not pass
  • She has denied wrongdoing and said the process "lacked fundamental fairness"
Top priorities
  • "secure Corpus Christi's water future by advancing Inner Harbor Desalination and delivering a permanent, drought-resistant supply"
  • "restore relationships in Austin and Washington D.C in order to secure funding, infrastructure investment and opportunities for our city"
  • "strengthen public safety with the staffing and resources our first responders need"
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: Caller-Times questionnaire: "I voted against raising property taxes and against increasing water rates."
  • Growth and infrastructure: Caller-Times questionnaire, on the Inner Harbor desalination plant: "Corpus Christi needs a permanent, drought-resistant water supply now. Inner Harbor has critical permits, affordable state financing and key agreements in place."
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: Caller-Times questionnaire: "strengthen public safety with the staffing and resources our first responders need"
Endorsements
  • Coastal Bend Coalition
Campaign website
pauletteguajardo.com
Gil Hernandez

Gil Hernandez

Nonpartisan
On ballot as
Gil Hernandez
Current role
Corpus Christi City Council Member, District 5
Background
  • Bachelor's degree in business administration, Texas Tech University
  • U.S. Navy veteran; commissioned in 1991 as a surface warfare officer
  • 18 years with the Coca-Cola Company, last as national sales manager for South Texas
  • Consultant (per candidate)
Experience
  • Elected December 2018; re-elected three times (fourth term)
  • Appointed in 2010 to the Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority board of directors
Top priorities
  • Top priorities: "safe and reliable water, reasonable costs, accountable government, responsible growth, supported public safety" (August 2026 news release)
  • "Continued improvement of public infrastructure (i.e. streets, utilities, and facilities), budget and debt management, affordable alternative water sources"
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: Caller-Times questionnaire: names "budget and debt management" among his top three priorities
  • Growth and infrastructure: Caller-Times questionnaire: "The Inner Harbor is NOT the best location. A site closer to the Gulf like Barney Davis or Harbor Island is a better option."
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: In an August 2026 news release quoted by the Caller-Times, listed "supported public safety" among his top priorities
Endorsements
None found in our research
Campaign website
Not found

Chelise Hyatt

Nonpartisan
On ballot as
Chelise Hyatt
Current role
Development executive, Scouting America South Texas Council
Background
  • Bachelor's degree (per Caller-Times questionnaire)
  • Experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, grant writing and youth programming (per Caller-Times questionnaire)
  • Originally from Missouri (per KEDT's candidate profile)
  • Moved to Corpus Christi in 2021 (per KEDT's candidate profile)
Experience
  • No prior elected office (per Caller-Times questionnaire)
Top priorities
  • "My top three priorities are water security, infrastructure, and responsible city government"
  • "aggressively address deteriorating streets, drainage, and flooding"
  • "ensure taxpayers receive transparent, accountable government that carefully manages public dollars"
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: Caller-Times questionnaire: "ensure taxpayers receive transparent, accountable government that carefully manages public dollars"
  • Growth and infrastructure: Caller-Times questionnaire: "I support moving the Inner Harbor desalination project forward while continuing to pursue every viable water source available."
  • Flooding and drainage: Caller-Times questionnaire: "aggressively address deteriorating streets, drainage, and flooding"
  • Public safety: No public statement found
Endorsements
None found in our research
Campaign website
Not found

John Calkusic

Nonpartisan
On ballot as
John Calkusic
Current role
Business owner
Background
Not found
Experience
  • Ran for mayor of Corpus Christi (November 2024 general election)
Top priorities
Not found
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: No public statement found
  • Growth and infrastructure: No public statement found
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: No public statement found
Endorsements
None found in our research
Campaign website
Not found

Dave Heasley

Nonpartisan
On ballot as
Dave Heasley
Current role
Self-employed
Background
Not found
Experience
Not found
Top priorities
Not found
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: No public statement found
  • Growth and infrastructure: No public statement found
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: No public statement found
Endorsements
None found in our research
Campaign website
Not found

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