Steven Villela, a Midland native and Republican candidate, is running for Midland County Commissioner Precinct 3.
Twenty-seven-year-old Villela grew up in Midland, attending South Elementary and various local schools before graduating from Midland High School in 2015. As a first-generation American, Villela's family emigrated from Mexico and established a tortilla factory in Midland, where he worked throughout his school years.
Villela is the only boy among four siblings and has a “close-knit” family with many nieces and nephews. His academic journey continued at Midland College, where he received an Associates in Business Management and worked as a landman while at Midland College. His involvement in local politics began with a role in Gov. Greg Abbott's campaign, where he worked for over a year during the campaign and inauguration.
In Midland, Villela relaunched the Young Republicans chapter and has been engaged in local issues. He also worked for Midland/Odessa Transportation Alliance (MOTRAN) and developed an interest in real estate. Villela currently manages a portfolio that includes two RV parks and various other properties, focusing on construction and building projects.
Villela's campaign for Precinct 3 Commissioner centers on four main pillars:
- Maintaining Good Roads and Bridges: Villela emphasizes the need for well-planned and maintained infrastructure and coordination with other taxing entities.
- Investing in Clean Water: He aims to secure federal and state funds to improve water quality and infrastructure, particularly addressing issues related to contaminated well water.
- Funding Our First Responders: Villela advocates for increasing the number of sheriff's deputies, jailers, and constables to enhance public safety as the county grows.
- Keeping Taxes Low: He proposes to leverage new revenue sources and grants to minimize tax rates and avoid placing additional burdens on residents.
“This money comes from taxpayers,” Villela told Midland Times. “During the planning phase, it was mentioned that several items were not included in the bond total, such as bed mats, roads and the utility costs to bring services to the site. The estimated additional amount the county would need to come up with was said to be $30 million. I had questions, but very few people had answers, and that is concerning.”
Villela has also raised concerns about government expenditures, questioning how increased costs are to be covered. “Every time we increase expenditures on a construction project, we have to get more revenue, where is that coming from?” Villela plans to ensure the effective use of taxpayer dollars and avoid unnecessary financial burdens on the community.
The election for Midland County Commissioner Court will take place on Nov. 5.
Find out more at Steven Villela for Midland County Commissioner Precinct 3 Facebook page