Rob Rodriguez

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

Rob Rodriguez

Nonpartisan

Elections and appointments

Last election

May 1, 2021

Education

Bachelor's

Texas Tech University, 1989

Graduate

University of Texas at San Antonio, 2008

Military

Service / branch

U.S. Army

Years of service

1987 - 1994

Personal

Birthplace

Lubbock, Texas

Religion

Catholic

Profession

Real estate broker

Contact

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

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Rob Rodriguez ran for election to the San Antonio City Council to represent District 8 in Texas. He lost in the general election on May 1, 2021.

Rodriguez completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. Click here to read the survey answers.

Biography

Rob Rodriguez was born at the Reese Airforce Base in Lubbock, Texas. He served in the United States Army from 1987 to 1994. Rodriguez received a bachelor's degree in education from Texas Tech University in 1989 and a graduate degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2008. His professional experience includes being a broker and managing partner for a commercial real estate firm. Rodriguez has been affiliated with Veterans of Foreign Wars, Knights of Columbus, and the San Antonio Board of Realtors.

Elections

2021

See also: City elections in San Antonio, Texas (2021)

General election

General election for San Antonio City Council District 8

Incumbent Manny Pelaez defeated Rob Rodriguez, Suzanne McCarty, Cesario Garcia, and Tammy Orta in the general election for San Antonio City Council District 8 on May 1, 2021.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Manny Pelaez (Nonpartisan)	59.3	10,393
		Rob Rodriguez (Nonpartisan)	20.8	3,650
	Submit photo	Suzanne McCarty (Nonpartisan)	9.4	1,644
		Cesario Garcia (Nonpartisan)	6.6	1,161
		Tammy Orta (Nonpartisan)	3.8	667

---

	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 17,515
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign themes

2021

Video for Ballotpedia

Video submitted to Ballotpedia Released March 9, 2021

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Rob Rodriguez completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2021. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by Rodriguez's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Expand all | Collapse all

Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm a native of San Antonio and have been a job creator in Texas for over 25 years. I'm a father, entrepreneur, a veteran, and have been married for over 27 years. I have an extensive and broad base of experience-from owning and operating my own companies, to serving on several municipal boards and commissions, to helping on the board of directors to several non-profit organizations-I understand the importance of leading by example and serving my community.

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?

• Increasing the Homestead Tax Exemption to the maximum allowable by the State of Texas.
• Increasing accessibility of SA Ready to Work funds for all citizens in San Antonio and streamlining and aligning Municipal procurement models to favor local businesses.
• Ensuring equal allocation of infrastructure funds in the upcoming bond election and for any Federal infrastructure/CoVID 19 relief dollars.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Fiscal and Tax Policy as to the extent, limitations, and roles of city government to affect societal and environmental change.

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

City Councilmen are closest to the needs and wants of the voting populace. They have the most effect on the daily lives of citizens and should focus on kitchen-table issues: keeping roads repaired, providing for public safety, ensuring responsible spending of tax dollars, and code compliance.

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

"Make Your Bed", by Admiral William H. McRaven, "Guns, Germs and Steel", by Jared Diamond, "About Face", David Hackworth

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

City government is limited and focused in both its scope and capabilities.

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

I am an experienced leader that understands the concept of Servant-Leadership. I believe in delegating tasks, not responsibility, and leaders are paid to make decisions.

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

The core responsibilities of a city councilmen are constituent services, balancing the city budget, and determination of bond and infrastructure projects.

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

My first job was tarring roofs with my uncle, who was a construction contractor. I earned $20 a day and did that job during summer break in high school. I learned the value of personal fulfillment from ones own labor, how to get things done early in the morning, and the power and benefit of work.

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

City Council votes on the city tax rate every budget cycle so our local representatives have the power to address the high property taxes that all of our citizens are experiencing through higher property tax appraisals.

What kind of skills or expertise do you believe would be the most helpful for the holders of this office to possess?

Successful city councilmen should be empathetic to residents, possess a high acuity for listening to issues, and be focused on fulfilling basic services and resist the inclination that his duties extend beyond those core responsibilities.

Tell us your favorite joke.

An old Texas Rancher is talking about politics with a young man from the city. He compares a politician to a "post turtle." The young man doesn't understand and asks him what a post turtle is.

The old man says, "When you're driving down a country road and you see a fence post with a turtle balanced on top, that's a post turtle. You know he didn't get up there by himself. He doesn't belong there; you wonder who put him there; he can't get anything done while he's up there; and you just want to help the poor, dumb thing down."

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

2021 Elections

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Candidate

San Antonio City Council District 8

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