Devine and Lytle voters will decide City Council contests on Nov. 3. The following information was provided by candidates in contested races in response to a Devine News questionnaire. Some candidates did not submit completed questionnaires or photos. Candidates are presented in alphabetical order. Responses are edited for style and space. (i) = incumbent.
LYTLE
Mayor
Mark Bowen (i)
Age: 64
Education/Experience: Risk management & insurance broker. Mayor of Lytle for past 12 years.
Priorities: “My primary goal for the next two years is to continue listening to our citizens and business leaders to maintain the values that make our community strong, and to usher in the controlled growth that will make our community stronger.”
Ruben Gonzalez
Age: 53
Education/Experience: Bachelor’s degree in management, professional manager’s certification. 30-year decorated veteran, Medina County Veteran Service Officer. Vice president, economic development, San Antonio Chamber of Commerce. May 16, 2009, named as “Ruben Gonzalez Day” for outstanding service to Enid, Okla. Served last three years as Lytle alderman.
Priorities: “I plan to bring leadership and attention to our citizens, city partners (county, businesses and school district), city operations and downtown development. Our city needs a leader who will communicate, cooperate and bring cohesion, even in difficult times. This will be a top priority…community needs to be informed and involved.”
DISTRICT 5
Charles Cate
Age: 36
Education/Experience: Lytle High School, Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, Texas Lutheran University. Community College of the Air Force, Associate of Applied Science, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala. Journalist, newspaper editor, Air Force veteran, legal assistant, business owner. First-time candidate for political office.
Priorities: “My No. 1 priority will always be the residents of Lytle. Enhancing their quality of life is my list. I hope to bring more job opportunities to our city, expand upon our park system, establish fiber internet as a public utility, and expand our public infrastructure to accommodate future growth.”
Frank Carrillo
Age: 50
Education/Experience: Lytle High School graduate. Master plumber. Went blind in 2017 and attended rehabilitation center for the blind. Participates in community activities.
Priorities: “Our city is on the grow, but it still needs a helping hand. We need a newly structured administration and financial stability. My focus would be development of our main street and outreach to citizens who feel ignored or left in the dark by our community. It’s time for Lytle to improve for everyone.”
