2009 Mayoral Debate

Just when one election ends, another one heats up. This year’s mayoral election is around the corner, and the race is shaping up to be a political battle between former councilman and mayoral candidate Julian Castro, councilwoman Diane Cibrian and public relations consultant Trish Deberry-Mejia.

Texas Public Radio will broadcast the candidates’ first debate on Friday, February 13 at 7 p.m. during a special edition of The Newsmaker Hour.

The election for mayor is Saturday, May 9. Early voting begins April 27 and ends May 5. We’ll provide complete coverage of the San Antonio mayor’s race and other Texas political contests as election day nears.

The debate is produced by KLRN and the Alamo Asian American Chamber of Commerce.

Listen to the Debate

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About the Candidates

Julián Castro

Julián Castro is a native of San Antonio, Texas. In 2001, Julián was elected to the San Antonio city council, where he represented District 7. As a councilman, Julián championed a vision of economic growth, accountable government and a top-notch quality of life for all San Antonians. After serving four years on the city council, Julián narrowly lost an election to become San Antonio’s mayor.

Following his mayoral campaign, Julián founded, The Law Offices of Julián Castro, PLLC, a civil litigation practice. He has served on the board of Urban Ministries, Family Services Association and the Clear Channel San Antonio Advisory Board. In addition to his community service, he has taught courses at The University of Texas at San Antonio, Trinity University, and St. Mary’s University.

Julián, a graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School, earned his undergraduate degree from Stanford University with honors and distinction in 1996 and a juris doctorate from Harvard Law School in 2000. Julián is married to Erica Lira Castro, a school teacher, and they are expecting a baby girl in March. Julián’s brother, Joaquin, serves in the Texas House of Representatives.

Website: www.castroformayor.com

Diane Cibrian

Diane Gonzalez Cibrian represents District 8 as a member of the San Antonio City Council. She currently is the Chair of the Infrastructure and Growth Committee, a member of the Quality of Life, BioMed SA, the Convention and Visitors Bureau, and Joint Land Use Agreement Study Committees.

Councilwoman Cibrian is a fourth generation native Texan and a daughter of a WWII veteran. She has spent over twenty years working in public policy, governmental affairs, and the nonprofit fields in the United States. Her work includes serving the United States Congress, the California State Legislature, as well as the federal government, serving as a Director of Public Policy for a U.S. Congressional Commission. She also served as a consultant to the former United States Secretary of the Army, Louis Caldera.

Extensively involved in civic and non-profit organizations, Cibrian was formerly chair of the San Antonio Development Agency and a Board Member and Chair-Elect of Family Service Association, a premier non-profit organization that serves San Antonio's neediest families. Cibrian was also a member of the Strengthening Family Issues Council for the United Way. Cibrian has also served as a board member of the Girl Scouts and a member of the Texas State Head Start Foundation and other civic organizations. Cibrian was also a member of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials.

Cibrian is the mother of an active twelve year old, Cristina Cibrian and has served as a member of the Keystone School Parent Council.

Website: www.votediane.com

Trish DeBerry-Mejia

Trish was born in San Antonio at Lackland AFB’s Wilford Hall in 1965. San Antonio has always been home for Trish. She attended UTSA for two years abnd finished her journalism/communications education at Trinity University and graduated cum laude.

She is a former reporter, producer and anchor at local affiliate KENS-TV.

Chief among her many accomplishments through the last 15 years is her marriage to Carlos Mejia, the birth of their children, and the founding of her business, Guerra DeBerry Coody Marketing and Communications.

As mayor, Trish is committed to leading San Antonio into the 21st Century as a city that maintains its commitment to its citizens, plans for success, realizes its goals, and ultimately achieves a quality of life which rivals any other major metropolitan area.

Website: www.trishformayor.com