Fernando Herrera for Houston Mayor

Dear Neighbor,

Imagine our city safe, prosperous, and operating within budget. Imagine decisions finally being made based on what’s best for Houstonians versus one’s own political agenda. Imagine an informed, proactive administration, instead of one operating in panic mode. This is not merely a dream; with strong leadership—leadership for a new ERA—this can be a reality.

Essential City Services. I believe our city is purposed to provide those things that citizens cannot easily provide for themselves—Fire, EMS, Police, and Infrastructure. As Mayor, I will place priority on providing these essential services.

Responsible Government. Houstonians deserve elected officials that communicate with the people. I pledge to listen to the will of the people and work to restore civic pride.

Advance Economic Development. As a former small business owner I know that to operate more efficiently, a good manager should listen to those actually doing the job—the employees. As Mayor, I will foster an atmosphere of two-way communications and demand creativity from department heads. I will continue to listen to private industry and make certain Houston clears a path for business development by working to eliminate the drainage tax, streamline the permit process, and reevaluate the 500 permits already in existence.

As a Deputy Chief in the Houston Fire Department, I have been responsible for multi-million dollar budgets. I’ve supervised numerous employees in an office environment as well as hundreds of first responders in environments that are immediately dangerous to both life and health. My 30 years as an emergency responder, combined with my experience starting and successfully managing a manufacturing company for 14 years, provide a unique perspective and management style that will serve Houston well. These experiences have shaped me into the type of leader I am today and that our city needs now.

As Mayor, I will:

Respect the will of the people, as expressed by their vote.
Deliver reliable and effective Public Safety.
Work to rescind the Drainage Tax debacle.
Correct the adversarial permitting process & fees.
Resolve the Crime Lab fiasco.
Address the 15,000 untested rape kits and bring closure to the victims, put rapists in prison, and free those wrongly convicted.
Make certain that Houston is an advocate for business, creating an environment that promotes economic prosperity for all.
Fix Forced Historical Preservation, which infringes on personal property rights
Address the Metro mess.

I’m asking for your vote to allow me to demonstrate how successful and efficient Houston can be if it were operated as a business and not like a political piñata.

Houston is our home. I’m ready to get to work and make our home safe, prosperous, and operating within budget.

Thank you for entrusting me as Mayor of our great city.