Clay-Flores is seeking her second term on the Commissioners Court. She worked as a special projects manager at the City of San Antonio’s health department before she was elected to the Commissioners Court in 2020. Before that she worked in education and served as then-Mayor Ivy Taylor’s education policy lead.
Hear from the candidate
Please tell voters about yourself.
I am proud to be the first woman of color to serve as Bexar County Commissioner and, currently, I’m the only woman on Commissioners Court. After graduating from Brackenridge High School, I went on to attend Princeton University and earned a Master’s in Education from Harvard.
Before running for Commissioner four years ago, I gained six years of experience in local government and spent 15 years working in education and nonprofits, both domestically and internationally.
I live on the Southside and have thoroughly enjoyed working with Precinct 1 constituents during my first term. I am deeply committed to continue advocating in my second term for infrastructure, public safety, economic development, small businesses, nonprofits, and preventative and mental health for veterans and seniors.
By partnering with local school districts, I helped secure funding for more school therapists and social workers to address critical issues in order to break the school-to-prison pipeline.
What three issues do you consider to be most pressing for Precinct 1 and how do
you plan to address them?
The three most pressing issues for Precinct 1 are community economic development,
infrastructure improvements, and access to affordable healthcare (including mental health).These three core issues connect with each other and are dependent on the success of one another.
First, community economic development is about advocating for equitable development across the county. This includes addressing disparities in housing, healthcare, employment, public safety, and community resources. The southern sector of Bexar County has been left behind in these areas for far too long, and I am committed to ensuring that we bring it up to an equitable standard by investing in these issues. We also must keep up with the rapidly growing Northwest part of the precinct. This is why I continuously support funding for community resources and
public safety.
Secondly, I plan to continue advocating for targeted infrastructure investments, including transportation improvements and funding to help alleviate congestion in the Northwest. I am monitoring upgrades to public utilities that I have advocated for during my first term, like running water and internet access, and work to ensure all residents have the resources they need in the Southern part of the precinct due to outdated infrastructure.
Last but not least, access to affordable healthcare is crucial for quality of life and life expectancy. This is why I worked with University Health to get a UHS Southside Hospital across from Texas A&M University which reflects a $650 million dollar investment in infrastructure and construction for that area. I also ensured a 30 million dollar allocation from Bexar County for a preventative health building next door to the hospital, with an entire floor dedicated to mental health. These three issues are the most pressing and are interdependent for the continued success of Precinct 1 residents.
As the county considers tightening its belt on capital projects, which infrastructure needs do you believe are the most pressing, and which ones are you willing to put on the back burner?
The most pressing infrastructure needs in our county stem from decades of neglect in the southern sector and the urgent need to alleviate congestion in the northwest part of the precinct.
Addressing these challenges requires a strategic focus on improving outdated infrastructure and enhancing transportation networks. To tackle these issues, I have consistently advocated for increased funding and prioritized economic development initiatives that attract new companies. These investments bring not only new jobs, but also critical infrastructure and community resources that benefit our precinct as a whole.
I said publicly from the dais that I have worked too hard during my first term to secure $316 million in capital improvement projects for Precinct 1, and none of this will be cut from the budget. I am only willing to hold off on securing new funding for future projects at this time.
These investments are helping to close long-standing gaps in infrastructure and improve quality of life for Precinct 1 residents. As we consider tightening the budget on future projects, my priority remains ensuring that the areas most in need receive the attention and resources necessary to support sustainable growth and economic development.
What role do you believe the county should play in encouraging voting, expanding voting access and registering voters?
The county plays a crucial role in encouraging voter participation, expanding access, and registering voters. As a democracy, it is vital that every eligible voter has the opportunity to make their voice heard. The county can promote voter registration through outreach efforts, especially in underserved communities, ensuring residents are informed about how and where to register.
Additionally, I advocated to expand voting access by offering more early voting
locations throughout the precinct, increasing the number of polling sites, and providing flexible voting options like mail-in and curbside voting which can significantly reduce barriers.
It is also vital for the county to engage in public education campaigns, informing citizens about upcoming elections, the voting process, and the importance of their participation in shaping local, state, and national policies. Voting should be accessible, fair, and convenient for all, and the county government must take the lead in making this a reality. Voting as Americans is a privilege and a responsibility; therefore, Bexar County should help to make voting access as feasible as possible within the realms of Texas voting laws.
How do you solicit input and feedback from constituents?
I prioritize soliciting input and feedback from constituents by being accessible and present. Throughout my first term, I have actively listened to residents’ concerns, ensuring their voices shape our decisions.
I make it a point to engage with community members directly, fostering open communication and accountability. This includes attending HOAs and neighborhood association meetings, individual constituent meetings, and a myriad of community forums and events we organize where we meet new constituents every day.
My staff keep a log of constituent calls/meetings and follow up to ensure cases are solved. This constituent engagement led me to advocate for job growth and infrastructure, like bringing JCB to Precinct 1. Attracting new companies fosters better employment opportunities and leads to public infrastructure investments, which draws community resources and economic development.
I remain committed to serving you and continuing this transparent dialogue, improving quality of life for all Precinct 1 residents.
Read more
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Democrats line up to challenge Commissioner Clay-Flores in Bexar County’s Precinct 1
