In this third episode, the Bexar Facts team discusses the issues shaping the greater San Antonio area with their guests Dr. Laura Barbarena, Tom Marks, Jonathan Delmer, and Jorge Urby. Today’s conversation is a bipartisan discussion of the issues facing Bexar County and San Antonio.
These four guests join host Christian Archer to dive into the most pressing issues on the ballot and how to make San Antonio better for all who call it home. This episode focuses on the importance of voting and the following ballot initiatives: PreK4SA, VIA/ATD, and Jobs/Workforce/Higher Ed.
About Dr. Laura Barbarena:
Dr. Barbarena originally from Austin, she is a Democrat, and owner of VIVA Politics, a communication consultant, specializing in messaging and media strategies She graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a film production degree, then joined a Latino advertising, Gutierrez & Associates in Albuquerque - the Hispanic agency of record for the DNC and the Clinton/Gore ’96 campaign. Dr. Barbarena served as the creative director, producing all the TV, newspaper and radio for Hispanic outreach. She has worked on several presidential races, as well as local ones to include Joe Gonzalez, for the DA seat, State Rep. Ina Minjarez's initial campaign, Manny Pelaez, Rebecca Viagran, Leticia Van de Putte and Senator José Menéndez and is currently working on the Yes for Transit campaign.
About Tom Marks:
Tom Marks is a Republican strategist, Founder of Fleur De Lis Political Consulting. He is the son of an Air Force Colonel, born in Alexandria but grew up in Brownsville, moving to SA in 1988. Tom became a leader and mainstay among local and regional Republican candidates running campaigns for a number of City Council races, County races, in Bexar County along with 50 other Texas Counties for the Republican Party of Texas Victory effort in 2008. Tom has managed several large school district bonds (SAISD, NEISD, ACCD), for our favorite Speaker of the Texas House from San Antonio, Joe Straus, Commissioner Kevin Wolff, almost all the Council District 9 candidates and is currently working for the Trish DeBerry Campaign. He has even worked for a Democrat! Serving as CM for Ina Minjarez.
About Jonathan Delmer:
Jonathan is a San Antonio native. He is the President of the Alamo Strategic Group and a former City Council District 10 Candidate. He is a grassroots leader, he served as President of his neighborhood association and is currently representing his district on the Board of Adjustments. Jonathan has worked on many local Republican campaigns from District Attorney, to Sheriff to State Representative – he has also worked with Clayton Perry for City Council Dist. 10. He is currently working on the Yes for Transit campaign.
About Jorge Urby:
Jorge Urby is from Del Rio and is the Founder & CEO of the GLIDER Group, a strategy, PR, creative, production, public affairs. He went to Texas State and got his MPA from American University, he has worked in local, state and national races. Jorge has worked with both Castro brothers, and most recently advised presidential hopefuls Julián Castro and Beto O’Rourke and is currently working on the SA Ready to Work Campaign
About Bexar Facts:
At Bexar Facts, we amplify the voice of the people to shape the future of our community. We gather and share fact-based data on the issues, attitudes, and trends shaping the greater San Antonio area. With the Bexar Facts podcast we breathe life into our data. We aim to level the
playing field by producing real conversations, with real people and bringing scientific data directly to your fingertips. Bexar Facts, your trusted local source for community data.
Show notes:
(0:40) Introductions (special guests: )
(12:25) Voter turnout for early polling
(18:20) Mail-in ballots
(32:45) Polling and Pre-K 4 SA
(40:09) Public Transportation
(47:00) The three ballot initiatives: education, transit, and workforce development
(51:11) If you could wave a magic wand at the end of this pandemic, how would you make San Antonio better?
(57:20) Rapid-fire questions:
- Will we have a new president?
- Will the Democrats take back the Texas house?
(1:01:20) Conclusion
Links:
- Bexar Facts-https://www.bexarfacts.org/about/
- Bexar Facts Poll 4- https://www.bexarfacts.org/category/poll-4-results/
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