Bill Baldwin

This page was current at the end of the individual's last campaign covered by Ballotpedia. Please contact us with any updates.

Bill Baldwin

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Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2019

Personal

Birthplace

Athens, Texas

Religion

Non-Denominational

Profession

Real Estate Broker

Contact

Campaign website

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Bill Baldwin ran for election to the Houston City Council to represent At-large Position 4 in Texas. Baldwin lost in the general election on November 5, 2019.

Baldwin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Bill Baldwin was born in Athens, Texas. Baldwin attended Sam Houston State University for undergraduate study. His career experience includes working as a licensed real estate broker and owner of a residential real estate firm. Baldwin is licensed as a real estate instructor in Texas, and is a member of the Houston Association of Realtors.

Elections

2019

See also: City elections in Houston, Texas (2019)

General runoff election

General runoff election for Houston City Council At-large Position 4

Letitia Plummer defeated Anthony Dolcefino in the general runoff election for Houston City Council At-large Position 4 on December 14, 2019.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Letitia Plummer (Nonpartisan)	51.8	88,522
		Anthony Dolcefino (Nonpartisan)	48.2	82,222

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 170,744
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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General election

General election for Houston City Council At-large Position 4

The following candidates ran in the general election for Houston City Council At-large Position 4 on November 5, 2019.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Anthony Dolcefino (Nonpartisan)	20.9	39,627
✔		Letitia Plummer (Nonpartisan)	15.9	30,223
		Nick Hellyar (Nonpartisan)	12.7	24,068
		Ericka McCrutcheon (Nonpartisan)	11.2	21,195
	Submit photo	Bill Baldwin (Nonpartisan)	10.7	20,276
	Submit photo	Javier Gonzalez (Nonpartisan)	8.4	15,912
	Submit photo	Jennifer Laney (Nonpartisan)	6.1	11,589
		James Joseph (Nonpartisan)	5.8	11,054
		Jason Rowe (Nonpartisan)	3.3	6,347
	Submit photo	Christel Bastida (Nonpartisan)	2.6	5,017
	Submit photo	Tiko Hausman (Nonpartisan)	2.3	4,288

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	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 189,596
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

Endorsements

To see a list of endorsements for Bill Baldwin, click here.

Campaign themes

2019

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Bill Baldwin completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2019. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Baldwin's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

At the end of the day, I am passionate about cities, all the way down to the diverse neighborhoods and people who make them up. I currently do this for a living as the Broker and Owner of a highly community-focused residential real estate firm. I have also lived out these values as a proud City of Houston volunteer as Planning Commissioner and Chair of the City's Walkable Places Committee. In addition, I have spent the last decade-plus working tirelessly on neighborhood-focused nonprofit Boards, including several terms as President of the Houston Heights Association. I am endlessly motivated by seeing happy people in vibrant neighborhoods, where all have an identity that is intrinsically tied to the community. Above all, I believe in fairness, equality, equity, and thinking about the bigger picture in the long-term...always.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

• Drainage & Infrastructure: We must come up with firm plans to improve all of this in our growing, flood-prone city.
• Transportation: We must prepare for a denser, more walkable city.
• Safety & Security: This extends far beyond just crime, all municipal policy from traffic to the building code should be about keeping citizens safe.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

I am most passionate about density, walkability, and transportation. I believe that culture, common understanding, and quality of life all emerge from closer proximity to our neighbors. Density also has a lower carbon footprint than sprawl. The less time we spend in cars and congestion is more time we can spend contributing to our local economy, interacting with one another, and building community.

What qualities does this office possess that makes it a unique and important part of the state government and legal system?

It is the most direct impact to every individual in the geographic area, from water to public safety to housing to quality of life. It is the most rapid to respond and act upon constituent concerns. It should be the most direct and rapid at providing citizens their needs and addressing their concerns.

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

I certainly look up to President Barack Obama. I think he set a phenomenal example of having a bold vision and pushing for change, and then working dutifully and diligently toward that change...against all odds and in the face of severe opposition.

Is there a book, essay, film, or something else you would recommend to someone who wants to understand your political philosophy?

The Road Less Traveled by Scott Peck, hands-down. The first line is, "Life is difficult." That adage has proven itself to be very true throughout my life, but rather than find it defeating, I find it motivating, inspiring.

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Empathy. I believe you have to have the ability to ensure everyone feels they are seen, heard, and represented.

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

I am a person who strongly believes in the value of contemplation. I think it is important that we spend time seriously reflecting on our values and how they fit into the broader society. I think beyond immediacy.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

For this particular office, in a strong mayor form of city government, I think it is important that City Council Members provide a check and balance to the administration and provide direction for the City.

What legacy would you like to leave?

I truly hope I make a difference in the lives of Houstonians not only now but for the future. I want to be known for taking a stand and making tough decisions.

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

I certainly remember the first moon landing, though I was just four at the time. I was truly in awe of what we could accomplish as humankind, as Americans, as a broader community.

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

I was a waiter really from age 13 until 19, when I was promoted to Assistant Manager. Then I became the bar manager and then the Assistant General Manager. I learned a lot from this experience: the value of building real relationships as client service, keeping cool under pressure, and treating everyone equally. This was invaluable!

What is your favorite book? Why?

"The Big House" by George Howe Colt. It is a fascinating story of multiple generations struggling to stick together.

If you could be any fictional character, who would you want to be?

Superman!

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

"Find Out Who Your Friends Are" by Tracy Lawrence

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

As someone born in the South in the 1960s, I have to admit that being gay has been a struggle. I did not come out until my early 30s in the aftermath of the AIDS epidemic.

Are there any little-known powers or responsibilities held by this office that you believe more people should be aware of?

The power of persuasion for public policy, especially when it built through consensus and collaboration. And, of course, the power of the budget. In our city, it is $5.3B that impacts virtually everything.

Do you believe that it's beneficial for holders of this office to have previous experience in government or politics?

Absolutely, I do. It doesn't mean it always have to be the incumbent, but you have to have some experience in taking a stance after serious deliberation and being able to educate and build consensus even in the face of opposition.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

See also

2019 Elections

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