Texas Ballot Compare

General election · Tuesday, November 3, 2026

Nonpartisan voter guide · Texas

Council Member, District 5

Race · November 3, 2026 general election

City of Corpus Christi
Vote for oneResearched · fact-checked5-way race
Joseph BorkouskiNonpartisan
Kusumakar SoodaKusumakar SoodaNonpartisan
David PenaDavid PenaNonpartisan
John HanazlikJohn HanazlikNonpartisan
Merida Gonzalez ForrestMerida Gonzalez ForrestNonpartisan
On ballot as
Joseph Borkouski
Kusumakar Sooda
David Pena
John Hanazlik
Merida Gonzalez Forrest
Current role
Retired insurance agent (per city's candidate list)
Physician (per campaign); listed as "Doctor" on the city's candidate list
Owner, Fleet Feet, Bay Area Bicycles and Archery Outfitters International (per campaign)
Business owner (per city's candidate list)
Sales and accounting (per city's candidate list)
Background
  • Retired insurance agent and business owner (per Caller-Times questionnaire)
  • Former Apple manager (per Caller-Times questionnaire)
  • Corpus Christi resident for 5 years (per Caller-Times questionnaire)
  • Organizational involvement: El Paso Playhouse Board of Directors (per Caller-Times questionnaire)
  • Family medicine training, North Texas Medical Foundation, Wichita Falls (per campaign)
  • MBA, Texas A&M, Corpus Christi (per campaign)
  • Opened a local clinic in 2022 (per campaign)
  • Works at the clinic alongside his wife, a physical therapist (per campaign)
  • He and his wife made Corpus Christi home in 2012 (per campaign)
Show all 7
  • Raised three daughters in Corpus Christi (per campaign)
  • Member, Texas Medical Association and Nueces County Medical Society (per campaign)
  • Born and raised in Corpus Christi (per campaign)
  • Moody High graduate (per campaign)
  • Over 15 years working in local refineries (per campaign)
  • Former emergency response technician, Valero Refinery (per campaign)
  • Self-described "a welder by trade and now an entrepreneur in the industrial fabrication industry" (per campaign flyer)
  • Husband and father (per campaign flyer)
  • Born and raised in Corpus Christi (per campaign)
  • Mary Carroll High School graduate (per campaign)
  • Associate of Arts in business administration, Del Mar College (per campaign)
  • BBA in accounting, (Southwest) Texas State University (per campaign)
  • Seven years in accounting in Austin before returning to Corpus Christi (per campaign)
Experience
  • First-time candidate with no previous elected political experience (per Caller-Times questionnaire)
  • Board member, Corpus Christi International Airport (2019–2025) (per campaign)
  • Leadership Corpus Christi, Class 48 (per campaign)
  • Member, Crime Control Board (per campaign)
  • President, Safari Club International Texas Brush Country Chapter (per campaign)
  • President, Delta Waterfowl Laguna Madre Chapter (per campaign)
  • President, Tejas Bowmen Archery Club (per campaign)
  • Ran for District 5 council seat (2024); lost to incumbent Gil Hernandez, 53.8% to 46.2%
Not found
  • Worked as sales tax coordinator, Whataburger Corporate (per campaign)
  • Later worked in accounting, Airgas Southwest (per campaign)
  • Has worked in public accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and campaign finance reporting and compliance (per campaign)
  • Volunteer, The Free Store (per campaign)
  • Participant, Homelessness Point-in-Time Count (per campaign)
Top priorities
  • "securing a reliable long-term water supply, improving aging infrastructure and roads, and restoring pride in the appearance and quality of life of Corpus Christi"
  • "I support moving forward with the Inner Harbor desalination project as part of Corpus Christi's long-term water strategy."
  • "ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively"
  • "He supports Harbor Island or Barney Davis for desal because either location can expand and serve as a long-term water solution."
  • "Public approval first": "Give residents a direct vote before the city commits."
  • "Corpus Christi should protect essential services, reduce avoidable debt"
  • "Growth should preserve shade, protect neighborhood parks, respect habitat, support humane animal programs"
  • "I support moving forward with the Inner Harbor desalination project while continuing to pursue additional water sources."
  • "we need to prioritize residential streets, utilities, and the infrastructure residents rely on everyday"
  • "I will scrutinize spending, prioritize essential services, and work to protect the City's financial standing."
  • "I support providing our police officers, firefighters and first responders with the staffing, equipment and resources they need"
  • "I want Corpus Christi to be a city where entrepreneurs can invest and grow without unnecessary red tape."
  • "Water Security": "Prioritizing long term sustainable, drought proof solutions."
  • "Invest in infrastructure that secures our future water supply, including the Inner Harbor Seawater Desalination Project."
  • "Strong Economy": "Foster economic growth by supporting local businesses and our industrial partners."
  • "Fiscal Responsibility": "Be a good steward of taxpayer dollars."
  • "Public Safety": "Support our police, firefighters, and first responders."
  • "Transparent Government": "Make city government more open and accountable."
  • "I support a diversified water supply that balances responsible desalination, sustainable groundwater"
  • "I support responsible offshore intake and discharge over Inner Harbor location."
  • "We need financial responsibility before committing to decades of debt to ensure our water security."
  • "Support diverse affordable housing and transitional housing programs"
  • "I support maintaining strong General Fund support for police and fire departments"
  • "growing locally owned businesses, attracting diverse, high-quality jobs not only in heavy industry but also in other sectors"
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: Caller-Times questionnaire: wants the council to "ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively"
  • Growth and infrastructure: Caller-Times questionnaire: "I support moving forward with the Inner Harbor desalination project as part of Corpus Christi's long-term water strategy."
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: No public statement found
  • Property taxes and budget: Campaign site: "Corpus Christi should protect essential services, reduce avoidable debt, and keep city dollars focused on public priorities in every desal decision."
  • Growth and infrastructure: Caller-Times questionnaire: "I support seawater desalination at Harbor Island because of its location and potential for future expansion."
  • Flooding and drainage: Caller-Times questionnaire: "Improve our streets, drainage, and aging infrastructure through responsible planning and preventative maintenance."
  • Public safety: Caller-Times questionnaire: "Support our first responders and ensure our neighborhoods remain safe for families and businesses."
  • Property taxes and budget: "I will scrutinize spending, prioritize essential services, and work to protect the City's financial standing."
  • Growth and infrastructure: Caller-Times questionnaire: "I support moving forward with the Inner Harbor desalination project while continuing to pursue other viable water sources."
  • Flooding and drainage: Caller-Times questionnaire: "We need to improve our streets, drainage, parks, and other essential services while making sure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly."
  • Public safety: "I support providing our police officers, firefighters and first responders with the staffing, equipment and resources they need"
  • Property taxes and budget: Campaign flyer: "Be a good steward of taxpayer dollars."
  • Growth and infrastructure: Caller-Times questionnaire: "I support the Inner Harbor Seawater Desalination Project. It is fully permitted, environmentally vetted, and much of the project is already funded."
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: Caller-Times questionnaire: "Public safety requires supporting our police, fire, and emergency services while maintaining strong community partnerships."
  • Property taxes and budget: "We need financial responsibility before committing to decades of debt to ensure our water security."
  • Growth and infrastructure: Caller-Times questionnaire: "I do not support the Inner Harbor seawater desalination plant." She adds: "I support responsible desalination, offshore intake and discharge into the Gulf."
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: "I support maintaining strong General Fund support for police and fire departments to recruit, retain, train, and equip the personnel needed to keep our neighborhoods safe"
Endorsements
None found in our research
None found in our research
  • Coastal Bend Coalition
None found in our research
  • Texas Campaign for the Environment (VoteClean.org PAC)
Campaign website
Not found
electdrsooda.com
davidpena5.com
john4district5.com
meridaforccd5.com

Joseph Borkouski

Nonpartisan
On ballot as
Joseph Borkouski
Current role
Retired insurance agent (per city's candidate list)
Background
  • Retired insurance agent and business owner (per Caller-Times questionnaire)
  • Former Apple manager (per Caller-Times questionnaire)
  • Corpus Christi resident for 5 years (per Caller-Times questionnaire)
  • Organizational involvement: El Paso Playhouse Board of Directors (per Caller-Times questionnaire)
Experience
  • First-time candidate with no previous elected political experience (per Caller-Times questionnaire)
Top priorities
  • "securing a reliable long-term water supply, improving aging infrastructure and roads, and restoring pride in the appearance and quality of life of Corpus Christi"
  • "I support moving forward with the Inner Harbor desalination project as part of Corpus Christi's long-term water strategy."
  • "ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively"
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: Caller-Times questionnaire: wants the council to "ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively"
  • Growth and infrastructure: Caller-Times questionnaire: "I support moving forward with the Inner Harbor desalination project as part of Corpus Christi's long-term water strategy."
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: No public statement found
Endorsements
None found in our research
Campaign website
Not found
Kusumakar Sooda

Kusumakar Sooda

Nonpartisan
On ballot as
Kusumakar Sooda
Current role
Physician (per campaign); listed as "Doctor" on the city's candidate list
Background
  • Family medicine training, North Texas Medical Foundation, Wichita Falls (per campaign)
  • MBA, Texas A&M, Corpus Christi (per campaign)
  • Opened a local clinic in 2022 (per campaign)
  • Works at the clinic alongside his wife, a physical therapist (per campaign)
  • He and his wife made Corpus Christi home in 2012 (per campaign)
Show all 7
  • Raised three daughters in Corpus Christi (per campaign)
  • Member, Texas Medical Association and Nueces County Medical Society (per campaign)
Experience
  • Board member, Corpus Christi International Airport (2019–2025) (per campaign)
  • Leadership Corpus Christi, Class 48 (per campaign)
Top priorities
  • "He supports Harbor Island or Barney Davis for desal because either location can expand and serve as a long-term water solution."
  • "Public approval first": "Give residents a direct vote before the city commits."
  • "Corpus Christi should protect essential services, reduce avoidable debt"
  • "Growth should preserve shade, protect neighborhood parks, respect habitat, support humane animal programs"
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: Campaign site: "Corpus Christi should protect essential services, reduce avoidable debt, and keep city dollars focused on public priorities in every desal decision."
  • Growth and infrastructure: Caller-Times questionnaire: "I support seawater desalination at Harbor Island because of its location and potential for future expansion."
  • Flooding and drainage: Caller-Times questionnaire: "Improve our streets, drainage, and aging infrastructure through responsible planning and preventative maintenance."
  • Public safety: Caller-Times questionnaire: "Support our first responders and ensure our neighborhoods remain safe for families and businesses."
Endorsements
None found in our research
Campaign website
electdrsooda.com
David Pena

David Pena

Nonpartisan
On ballot as
David Pena
Current role
Owner, Fleet Feet, Bay Area Bicycles and Archery Outfitters International (per campaign)
Background
  • Born and raised in Corpus Christi (per campaign)
  • Moody High graduate (per campaign)
  • Over 15 years working in local refineries (per campaign)
  • Former emergency response technician, Valero Refinery (per campaign)
Experience
  • Member, Crime Control Board (per campaign)
  • President, Safari Club International Texas Brush Country Chapter (per campaign)
  • President, Delta Waterfowl Laguna Madre Chapter (per campaign)
  • President, Tejas Bowmen Archery Club (per campaign)
  • Ran for District 5 council seat (2024); lost to incumbent Gil Hernandez, 53.8% to 46.2%
Top priorities
  • "I support moving forward with the Inner Harbor desalination project while continuing to pursue additional water sources."
  • "we need to prioritize residential streets, utilities, and the infrastructure residents rely on everyday"
  • "I will scrutinize spending, prioritize essential services, and work to protect the City's financial standing."
  • "I support providing our police officers, firefighters and first responders with the staffing, equipment and resources they need"
  • "I want Corpus Christi to be a city where entrepreneurs can invest and grow without unnecessary red tape."
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: "I will scrutinize spending, prioritize essential services, and work to protect the City's financial standing."
  • Growth and infrastructure: Caller-Times questionnaire: "I support moving forward with the Inner Harbor desalination project while continuing to pursue other viable water sources."
  • Flooding and drainage: Caller-Times questionnaire: "We need to improve our streets, drainage, parks, and other essential services while making sure taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly."
  • Public safety: "I support providing our police officers, firefighters and first responders with the staffing, equipment and resources they need"
Endorsements
  • Coastal Bend Coalition
Campaign website
davidpena5.com
John Hanazlik

John Hanazlik

Nonpartisan
On ballot as
John Hanazlik
Current role
Business owner (per city's candidate list)
Background
  • Self-described "a welder by trade and now an entrepreneur in the industrial fabrication industry" (per campaign flyer)
  • Husband and father (per campaign flyer)
Experience
Not found
Top priorities
  • "Water Security": "Prioritizing long term sustainable, drought proof solutions."
  • "Invest in infrastructure that secures our future water supply, including the Inner Harbor Seawater Desalination Project."
  • "Strong Economy": "Foster economic growth by supporting local businesses and our industrial partners."
  • "Fiscal Responsibility": "Be a good steward of taxpayer dollars."
  • "Public Safety": "Support our police, firefighters, and first responders."
  • "Transparent Government": "Make city government more open and accountable."
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: Campaign flyer: "Be a good steward of taxpayer dollars."
  • Growth and infrastructure: Caller-Times questionnaire: "I support the Inner Harbor Seawater Desalination Project. It is fully permitted, environmentally vetted, and much of the project is already funded."
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: Caller-Times questionnaire: "Public safety requires supporting our police, fire, and emergency services while maintaining strong community partnerships."
Endorsements
None found in our research
Campaign website
john4district5.com
Merida Gonzalez Forrest

Merida Gonzalez Forrest

Nonpartisan
On ballot as
Merida Gonzalez Forrest
Current role
Sales and accounting (per city's candidate list)
Background
  • Born and raised in Corpus Christi (per campaign)
  • Mary Carroll High School graduate (per campaign)
  • Associate of Arts in business administration, Del Mar College (per campaign)
  • BBA in accounting, (Southwest) Texas State University (per campaign)
  • Seven years in accounting in Austin before returning to Corpus Christi (per campaign)
Experience
  • Worked as sales tax coordinator, Whataburger Corporate (per campaign)
  • Later worked in accounting, Airgas Southwest (per campaign)
  • Has worked in public accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping, and campaign finance reporting and compliance (per campaign)
  • Volunteer, The Free Store (per campaign)
  • Participant, Homelessness Point-in-Time Count (per campaign)
Top priorities
  • "I support a diversified water supply that balances responsible desalination, sustainable groundwater"
  • "I support responsible offshore intake and discharge over Inner Harbor location."
  • "We need financial responsibility before committing to decades of debt to ensure our water security."
  • "Support diverse affordable housing and transitional housing programs"
  • "I support maintaining strong General Fund support for police and fire departments"
  • "growing locally owned businesses, attracting diverse, high-quality jobs not only in heavy industry but also in other sectors"
Tidbits
  • Property taxes and budget: "We need financial responsibility before committing to decades of debt to ensure our water security."
  • Growth and infrastructure: Caller-Times questionnaire: "I do not support the Inner Harbor seawater desalination plant." She adds: "I support responsible desalination, offshore intake and discharge into the Gulf."
  • Flooding and drainage: No public statement found
  • Public safety: "I support maintaining strong General Fund support for police and fire departments to recruit, retain, train, and equip the personnel needed to keep our neighborhoods safe"
Endorsements
  • Texas Campaign for the Environment (VoteClean.org PAC)
Campaign website
meridaforccd5.com

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