All six candidates running for the District 8 council member position attended a debate hosted by the San Antonio Report. At Elevate Events on April 17, candidates Sakib Shaikh, Cesario Garcia, Cindy Onyekwelu, Rodney Kidd, Ivalis Meza Gonzalez and Paula McGee sat and awaited questions from Moderator Leigh Munsil, the editor-in-chief at SA Report.
Since Manny Palaez is running for mayor, his position as District 8 Councilman will become vacant. District 8 residents filled the room to formally meet the candidates and hear their positions on city topics and political issues.
At first, the moderator questioned each candidate’s qualifications and experience dealing with potential city issues. The first spark from the debate came from Shaikh after he mentioned rumors and accusations that were spread about him by Meza Gonzalez. Shaikh replied, “[It is] unfortunate to say there’s one candidate that has kept it negative. [She] tells lies about me to voters,” in regards to Meza Gonzalez.
“I’m here to clear that up. She said things like I don’t pay my taxes, and that I don’t live in District 8. I’m here to clear the air because I’m going to bring leadership that you deserve. Honest and transparent,” Shaikh said.
Gonzalez was allowed to respond but chose to not answer. Following the exchange, the candidates were asked to explain why they should be the one to take on the role to handle District 8 and all its issues, as well as the city budget.
For the remainder of the debate, all candidates answered the questions accordingly with little to no disruptions from the crowd. At the halfway point, Munsil allowed a moment for Shaikh and Gonzalez to clear the air for the accusations, starting off with Shaikh’s response.
“So when you run a campaign it should be about you, and it should be about the voters and what you’re going to do for the voter,” Shaikh said.
“[One] of the things that were brought up by my opponent [was that] I don’t pay my taxes, now what is true is that last year I was behind on my property taxes like any normal person,” Shaikh said referring to his property taxes for the Airbnb business he runs.
He then went on to resolve the rumor that he is not a resident of District 8.
“[I’ve] lived in and around District 8 for the past 25 years. There’s a portion of that time when I lived outside of city limits, but as soon as I get outside of my neighborhood, I’m in District 8 again,” Shaikh said.
Gonzalez responds to the accusation of campaigning negatively, stating, “That’s just not the case.” She further goes into Shaikh’s lawsuit against him from the city, explaining that transparency about what issues candidates are facing is essential for the voters to know, while also clearing the air that she never said he does not live in the district.
This issue was discussed for several minutes, leading to the personal questions that were exchanged between each candidate.
Each of the six candidates was asked to explain their position on public transit, Project Marvel, budgeting for District 8 and other topics related to San Antonio.
Accusations continued during Gonzalez’s turn to answer her question; she spoke in regards to an ethics claim filed against her accused lobbyist activity.
A back-and-forth occurred again between Shaikh and Gonzalez concerning this ethics claim being filed. Consistently, both candidates fired accusations and claims about one another.
Near the conclusion of the debate, one of the final questions referred to what letter grade each candidate would give Councilman Manny Pelaez on his work being District 8’s councilman.
Varying responses from the audience came when each candidate acknowledged the question at random. McGee gave Pelaez a C, Gonzalez said an A, Kidd gave an F, Onyekwelu said B+, Garcia offered a D- grade and Shaikh concluded with an A.
