ODESSA, Texas — The countdown is on, with 20 days remaining before the November 5 election.
NewsWest 9 has been focusing on local races and speaking with the candidates.
On Wednesday, the spotlight turned to the race for the Odessa City Council At-Large position.
Denise Swanner, the current council member, is running for reelection. Her challenger, Craig Stoker, is no stranger to local politics, having run for the District 3 seat back in 2018.
Both candidates bring reflections on the past and ideas for Odessa's future.
Swanner and Stoker were both born and raised in Odessa, and their deep ties to the community fuel their commitment to its growth. They agree on the city's most pressing issues: water and trash services.
“If we don’t have water, if we don’t have sewer treatment, we don’t have a community," Stoker said, reflecting on the importance of reliable infrastructure. "If you can’t turn the water on to drink, cook, or bathe your children, you leave. You’re not going to stay here, and we cannot let that happen.”
Swanner noted that there’s a plan in place to address the water concerns.
“We’ve allocated $25 million to start replacing these water valves,” said Swanner.
However, Stoker criticized the pace of the city's response.
“What I don’t understand is why it took them four years to do it, well, three-and-a-half. They figured it out six months ago," Stoker said. "We’re here to represent the people and solve issues, but it took too long to get it done.”
On the trash issue, Stoker pointed out that Odessa is operating as if it were still a smaller town.
“We’re not a town of 75,000 people anymore," Stoker said. "Our system can’t handle the population of 120,000 or more. We need to act like the larger city we’ve become.”
Swanner emphasized the city’s ongoing work, saying, “Some of our trash trucks have been limping along for 10 to 15 years when they should’ve been replaced much earlier. We’ve ordered 19 new trucks — nine are already here, and the rest are on their way. ”
Both candidates also touched on transparency and leadership styles.
Swanner stated, “I ran on transparency in 2020. I return every call and try to ensure we conduct business openly. We rarely go into executive sessions.”
Stoker, referencing his leadership at Meals on Wheels, said, “You need buy-in from your team, experts who understand the challenges on the ground. That’s how you create effective solutions.”
Though Swanner and Stoker have different approaches, they share a common goal — ensuring Odessa continues to grow and thrive. As Election Day nears, voters will decide which vision will lead the city forward.
To watch the full interview with Denise Swanner, click here.
To watch the full interview with Craig Stoker, click here.