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Jennifer Castillo (Texas)
Jennifer Castillo ran for election for Mayor of Fort Worth in Texas. She lost in the general election on May 6, 2023.
Castillo completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. Click here to read the survey answers.
Biography
Jennifer Castillo was born in Los Angeles, California. She served in the U.S. Air Force from 2010 to 2015. She earned a high school diploma from Marcus High School, an associate degree from the Defense Language Institute in 2012, and a bachelor's degree from Pepperdine University in 2018. Her career experience includes working as an entrepreneur, business owner, and consultant. Castillo has been affiliated with the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Graduate Women in Business - TCU, and Tarrant County Republican Women.[1]
Elections
2023
See also: Mayoral election in Fort Worth, Texas (2023)
General election
General election for Mayor of Fort Worth
Incumbent Mattie Parker defeated Jennifer Castillo, Ken Bowens Jr., Alyson Kennedy, and Adrian Smith in the general election for Mayor of Fort Worth on May 6, 2023.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Mattie Parker (Nonpartisan) | 69.4 | 29,319 |
 | Jennifer Castillo (Nonpartisan)  | 12.1 | 5,121 | |
 | Ken Bowens Jr. (Nonpartisan) | 8.7 | 3,684 | |
 | Alyson Kennedy (Nonpartisan) | 5.2 | 2,206 | |
| Adrian Smith (Nonpartisan) | 4.5 | 1,915 | ||
| Total votes: 42,245 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Chris Rector (Nonpartisan)
Campaign themes
2023
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Jennifer Castillo completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2023. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Castillo's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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As a mother, I have a vested interest in creating a prosperous city where my children can thrive, and as a military veteran, my passion and commitment to my community make me the perfect candidate to stand up for those who cannot speak for themselves. My entrepreneurial skillset enables me to implement proven methodologies and strategies that enact real change while maintaining the highest ethical standards. If elected, I'll put people over politics, create wealth opportunities for small businesses, and empower a community of leaders that will change their industry and change the world. Let's work together to address the critical challenges facing our community and make a real difference in the lives of our neighbors, friends, and families.
- People Over Politics- I am committed to putting the needs and concerns of the community first and foremost. I will work tirelessly to address critical challenges facing the community and make a real difference in the lives of my neighbors, friends, and families.
- Empowering Small Businesses- I am committed to creating wealth opportunities for small businesses. I understand that small businesses are the backbone of the economy, and I will work to empower them by providing resources and support to see them succeed.
- Bridging the Cultural Divide- This involves creating an environment where people from different backgrounds feel welcome and respected, by providing opportunities for meaningful engagement and participation. By bridging the gap between communities, we can foster a sense of belonging and build stronger, more vibrant societies that are better equipped to tackle shared challenges.
As a candidate for public office, I believe that the COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that local officials must be more responsive and adaptive to the needs of their community. We must continue to work towards developing strong and effective policies that protect and support our residents during times of crisis.
I would like to encourage more tourism to Fort Worth, as I believe that it has the potential to stimulate our local economy and support our local businesses. By showcasing all that our downtown area has to offer, we can attract more visitors to the area and create new opportunities for economic growth and development.
As someone who is committed to serving the community, I believe that engaging with residents should be a top priority for any government official. This means not only listening to what residents have to say but actively seeking out their feedback and input. It also means being transparent about decision-making processes and making sure that residents have access to the information they need to participate fully.
My plans regarding resident involvement in the decision-making process involve creating more opportunities for community engagement and collaboration. This could include town hall meetings, community forums, and other events that allow residents to share their thoughts and ideas on important issues. I also plan to establish formal channels for feedback and communication, such as a resident advisory committee or regular surveys that provide opportunities for residents to weigh in on key policy decisions.
To achieve this, I will work closely with law enforcement officials and community organizations to identify and address the root causes of crime. I believe that we must be vigilant in enforcing the law and holding offenders accountable for their actions. This means working with law enforcement to implement evidence-based policing strategies and increasing the number of police officers on the force.
I also believe that we must prioritize a fair and just criminal justice system that focuses on reducing recidivism. This will involve advocating for rehabilitation programs that support individuals to successfully reintegrate back into society after serving their sentence.
Gentrification and displacement can be significant issues when it comes to neighborhood development, and we must take steps to minimize the potential negative impact on the community. To achieve this, we must engage with community leaders and stakeholders and listen to their concerns and feedback.
As we move forward with neighborhood development, we should prioritize preserving the unique character and small-town feel of Fort Worth. We want to maintain the quaint life of Fort Worth that draws so many people to the area. This could involve working with local businesses and community leaders to create a development plan that is sensitive to the needs and desires of existing residents while also attracting new residents and businesses to the area.
I would also work to build relationships with community organizations and leaders to better understand the needs and concerns of different groups within the community. By collaborating with a diverse range of stakeholders, we can ensure that our priorities and plans are inclusive and reflective of the values and goals of the entire community.
When elected, I would work with experts in the field and community stakeholders to identify areas for improvement and develop a plan to implement changes that will benefit the environment and the health of our citizens.
I believe that infrastructure should be designed with the long-term needs of the community in mind.This means prioritizing projects that have the most significant impact on the community and finding innovative ways to stretch our infrastructure dollars further. We can accomplish this through careful planning and by leveraging public-private partnerships to fund and develop infrastructure projects.
Additionally, I believe in exploring cost-saving measures and avoiding unnecessary expenditures that could place an undue burden on taxpayers. By being judicious with our spending, we can invest in critical infrastructure while also maintaining the financial health of the community.
Additionally, I would focus on improving standards for incoming officers in Fort Worth. This could include implementing rigorous screening processes and training programs to ensure that officers are well-equipped to handle the unique and challenging situations they may face on the job. By prioritizing professionalism and accountability in the police department, we can enhance public trust and confidence in law enforcement, ultimately making Fort Worth a safer and more secure community for all.
Instead, I would encourage eligible residents to get vaccinated as vaccines are the best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19. I would work with local healthcare providers to increase access to vaccines and educate the community about their safety and efficacy.
I would also promote social distancing and good hygiene practices such as hand washing and covering coughs and sneezes, although I would not enforce a mask mandate.
Small businesses have been particularly hard hit by the pandemic, so I would work to provide financial support and resources to help them stay afloat during these challenging times. I would also maintain open communication with residents to keep them informed about the latest developments and provide guidance on how to stay safe and healthy.
Empathy and the capacity to understand and relate to the diverse perspectives and experiences of constituents are important aspects to cultivate as an elected official. Furthermore, exhibiting the courage to make difficult decisions and stand up for what is right, collaborating with others to achieve common goals, and developing a clear and compelling vision for the future of the community are essential.
My military background has made me adept at prioritizing tasks, managing complex projects, and making difficult decisions under pressure. I have a strong sense of initiative and resourcefulness, which are essential qualities for anyone looking to make meaningful change in public office. I also possess a natural inclination towards problem-solving and am always looking for innovative solutions to challenges. These qualities will enable me to be a responsive and effective public servant who is committed to serving the needs of my constituents.
Additionally, I believe that one of the most important legacies I could leave would be to empower my children and future generations to create positive change in the world. I want to instill in them a sense of compassion and empathy and to encourage them to use their talents and resources to make a positive impact in the lives of others.
What I loved most about this book was how it provided practical tips on how to develop a winning mindset and overcome obstacles. As someone who has faced many challenges in my life, I found the author's personal experience training some of the world's greatest athletes, such as Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, to be incredibly inspiring.
One of the key lessons that resonated with me was the idea that greatness is achieved by pushing beyond what is considered comfortable or normal. It made me realize that I had been holding myself back by sticking to what was comfortable and safe.
I'm proud to be able to raise and support my children, while also pursuing my professional goals. By modeling hard work, perseverance, and dedication to my children, I hope to inspire them to pursue their own passions and to believe in themselves.
A mayor should be a problem solver and able to make tough decisions when necessary, while also being able to collaborate with others and seek input from various stakeholders. It means being accessible and responsive to the needs of residents, and taking a proactive approach to addressing issues and concerns.
As a leader, a mayor should also lead by example and hold themselves and others accountable for their actions. They should be transparent and honest, and act with integrity and ethical principles.
To achieve this, I would work closely with other city officials, stakeholders, and community members to set a clear vision for our city and work together to achieve it. This would involve listening to the needs and concerns of our community and taking action to address them.
As mayor, I would also serve as an advocate for our city and its residents. This means working to secure funding and resources, advocating for policies that benefit our community, and collaborating with other leaders and organizations to advance our city's interests.
But perhaps most importantly, I would prioritize being responsive to the needs and concerns of our residents. I believe that it is our duty as elected officials to serve our community and ensure that their voices are heard. That's why I would maintain open lines of communication, hold regular town hall meetings, and work closely with community organizations and leaders to address the issues that matter most to our residents.
I also love to explore the local art scene, whether it's visiting galleries or attending art festivals. Our city is full of talented artists who are creating amazing work, and it's always exciting to see what they come up with next.
Beyond the art scene, I also appreciate the diversity of our city. From the people to the food to the various neighborhoods, there's always something new to discover and explore. And despite being a large city, there's still a strong sense of community and connection that makes it feel like home.
By making housing more affordable and accessible, we can help ensure that our city remains a great place to live for people from all walks of life. I am committed to working with other officials and community members to address these challenges and ensure that our city continues to thrive for years to come.
While the state government should play an important role in setting broad policies and regulations that apply to all municipalities, it is important that our city retain a significant degree of autonomy in making decisions that directly impact our local residents and businesses.
Additionally, I believe that our city should have a strong voice in state-level decision-making, and that our elected officials should work proactively to advocate for policies that benefit our residents and businesses.
This means that the federal government should avoid imposing unnecessary regulations and mandates on our city and work collaboratively with local officials to address issues that respect our community's individual needs and values.
Our city should have a strong voice in federal decision-making, and our elected officials should work proactively to advocate for policies that benefit our residents and businesses.
Because it was already stuffed!
First and foremost, it is important to recognize the crucial role that law enforcement plays in ensuring public safety and protecting our community. As such, I believe in providing our law enforcement officers with the resources and support they need to effectively perform their duties.
At the same time, it is essential to promote transparency and accountability within law enforcement to ensure that officers are held to the highest standards of professionalism and ethics. This can be achieved through measures such as increasing community involvement in law enforcement oversight and implementing body-worn cameras.
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.
Note: Community Questions were submitted by the public and chosen for inclusion by a volunteer advisory board. The chosen questions were modified by staff to adhere to Ballotpedia’s neutrality standards. To learn more about Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection Expansion Project, click here.
See also
2023 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia through the Candidate Connection survey on March 15, 2023
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