Tristen Hoffman is a high school senior who plans to study economics after graduation.
Hear from the candidate
Please tell voters about yourself.
I’ve lived in San Antonio for 10.5 years, I am a senior in high school and I have been accepted to A&M and UTSA for Economics (though if I won I would have to go to UTSA), and my professional experience is relatively limited but I am a pilot in training.
List any previous experience in government or participation on local boards, commissions, or neighborhood associations.
While technically inexperienced in politics, having never run for political office or served in any capacity in a local government board, I have been passionate about politics for 9 years and municipal politics for 5. Last year, I won a State Championship for Current Issues & Events, further demonstrating my political and governmental knowledge. And beyond that, I think political experience is an overstated issue, many people have told me we need new blood in office, and I bring that. I also bring experience dealing with our youngest eligible voters that other candidates don’t receive to the same degree.
In the city’s 2024-2025 budget survey, residents ranked homelessness, streets, housing and animal care services among their top concerns for the city to address. Which issues do you consider a top concern for District 9 and how would you work to address them in your first 100 days?
Transportation and infrastructure, affordability, and economic growth barriers are the three most pressing concerns that I see in my district. I see a lot of people say our biggest issue is public safety, but the root cause of problems in public safety are often affordability, economic growth barriers, and safety in transportation serves as an independent contributor to public safety.
In a crowded field of council candidates, what differentiates you from the others?
I think I am easily a distinct candidate. I am the youngest by a solid chunk and as a result I understand young voters well, I have a very pragmatic platform, and I’m not a politician. Many of my opponents either have experience in politics or similar fields, they all have more organized and official campaigns, and they are connected. My campaign is about building connections with the community and with constituents, and the fact that I’m doing that now makes me well suited to serve now.
If elected, how do you plan to solicit input and feedback from residents in your district?
My campaign is very grassroots. I primarily blockwalk, I respond to emails from any person in my district about policy, and I prioritize this connection with individuals instead of organizations. Of course neither should be ignored, but we need to campaign to people and talk to people to understand them in office. I also plan to create special districts, which are complicated to describe in so few words but would amplify the voices of citizens across the city.
Read more about Tristen Hoffman
District 9 candidates debate reversing course on affordable housing, equity budgeting
WATCH: San Antonio Report’s District 9 debate
