Elected twice to the College Station City Council (Place 4, 2020–2024) and a 38-year resident of College Station, Elizabeth Cunha utilizes active listening, factual analysis, and rigorous inquiry to ensure local government prioritizes sustainable choices that protect our neighborhoods, support our first responders, and respect every taxpayer dollar.
Two-Term College Station Councilwoman • 38-Year Resident
Ready to lead from Day One, Elizabeth Cunha brings deep institutional expertise to navigate College Station’s relentless growth with data, public input, and fiscal discipline.
Supporting first responders is more than a campaign slogan—Elizabeth walks her talk with a documented council record of funding police and fire equipment, salaries, and mutual aid.
Our Public Works Facility sits in a floodplain, lacks bays to meet current workload, and has NO bay large enough for large fire truck maintenance.
With the planned $2B+ Terafab project in Grimes County and data centers at RELLIS, College Station must protect residents from power and water strain.
“Increasing supply alone hasn’t fixed affordability when new builds are bought up for rentals and short-term rentals.” Elizabeth focuses on directly lowering residents' monthly costs.
Strong neighborhoods are where the next generation grows. Elizabeth protects private property rights while ensuring code enforcement keeps neighborhoods livable.
From fighting staff-controlled committees to maintaining Zoom access for busy families, Elizabeth believes an open, accountable government earns the trust of the people.
Every word and documented record from Elizabeth’s platform—presented clearly with verified sources from official City of College Station records.
“My voting record demonstrates consistently funding equipment and salary increases. I hearken to their counsel when they weigh in on agenda items. I walk my talk.”
Unanimous vote to accept a Governor’s Office grant to enhance officer safety.
Unanimous vote to purchase essential bunker gear to protect our firefighters.
Supported automatic and mutual aid to improve emergency response times for our community.
Unanimous vote to accept Homeland Security grant funds for critical police equipment.
Requested an immediate update on inoperable phone lines impacting non-emergency and 911 calls.
Recognized our emergency telecommunicators during National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week.
Proudly endorsed by the College Station Professional Firefighters Association in both 2020 and 2021 City Council elections.
“I might. I sure don’t want to raise property taxes, but I can’t promise. I hope to earn your trust with truth and transparency.”
Do you want employers to pay employees a livable wage? If you were an employer, would you pay your employees a livable wage? As residents of College Station, you are the boss of the city organization and under you are over 1,000 employees. They bring water and electricity, fill potholes, build parks and roads, and keep us safe. To pay them a livable wage we may have to adjust the tax rate from time to time.
Sometimes the Texas State Legislature changes the rules. Most recently they decreed that the first $125,000 of business personal property is no longer taxable. This caused a decrease in the taxable value in College Station of over $160 million dollars. So we lost income, and our bills went up along with inflation. This circumstance necessitated a tax rate increase.
Fire Station Number 7 will require 24 more firefighters added to our payroll to protect our growing community. We obtained a federal grant to help shoulder the additional payroll expense, but that expires in FY 29—and then we will need to fund those positions ourselves through property taxes.
Of course I hope we are able to offset these financial obligations through other funding sources like new builds and increased sales tax. Businesses like Bass Pro Shops bring additional revenue. And I promise to watch our expenditures like a hawk—cutting and trimming wherever possible. Enough to balance the budget without raising taxes? Maybe.
“I promise to be easy to find, ready to listen, and hold the door open for your purview.”
I am committed to transparency, accountability, and open access to our local government. In addition to my documented voting record below, I pushed to maintain Zoom on committee meetings years after COVID as a means to maintain open access for busy working residents and parents.
I led field trips to City Hall, met with residents in local neighborhood parks, and volunteered during large community events such as Christmas in the Park and our 4th of July celebration at Wolf Pen Creek Amphitheater. As Mayor, I will look for additional ways to broaden resident engagement and deepen resident trust—including keeping our 6:00 PM Council meeting start time and moving utility rate increases off the consent agenda so the public is always informed.
Don’t just take a candidate’s word—inspect the official record. Filter all 38 documented votes and actions from official City of College Station meeting packets, minutes, and local media reports.
Showing 38 documented City Council votes & actions
Resolution allowed the City Manager or designee—rather than elected councilmembers—to appoint, remove, and fill vacancies for up to 25 committee members. Cunha was the sole NO vote.
“It will be difficult for the public to participate.” — WTAW 10/26/23
Cunha seconded the motion to create a Tourism Committee of ~10–15 members appointed by the elected City Council instead of city staff. Motion passed 4–3.
“We need a committee that is accountable to the elected officials and the public.” — Council Discussion 10/24/24
Because the committee did not hold public meetings, Cunha supported adding a councilmember to the Tourism Committee and requiring public updates to Council during workshops and budget deliberations.
“The committee does not hold meetings open to the public. Having a council member will help improve oversight and transparency.” — WTAW 12/11/23
Cunha asked Public Works to place physical yard signs with notification information in addition to mailed postcards for future street and parking changes affecting neighborhood residents.
“Can we put yard signs with notification information so neighbors can see what is being proposed?” — Council Discussion 5/25/23
Cunha was the lone NO vote on the FY2024 budget, objecting to specific spending priorities including the police funding share and city-funded valet parking expenses.
“I support the overall amount being spent, but I do not support how some of it is being spent.” — WTAW 8/24/23
Council unanimously created a citizen committee to review CDBG Public Service Agency funding applications and make recommendations to Council.
“We should have citizens involved in reviewing how these funds are allocated in our community.” — Council Discussion 1/26/23
Cunha made the motion to use Hotel Occupancy Tax (HOT) funds instead of General Fund property tax dollars for the additional $104,000 ceiling work at the Visitor Center.
“This expense fits within the purposes for which HOT funds can be used.” — Council Discussion 4/25/24
The city’s revised fees, rates, and charges were pulled from the consent agenda for a separate public vote and passed 6–1 with Cunha opposed.
“I cannot support these increases as presented.” — Council Vote 1/26/23
Voted in open public session to appoint Deputy City Attorney Adam Falco as interim city attorney, ensuring public transparency in key charter officer transitions.
Voted to approve a Small Area Plan Audit reviewing Central College Station, Eastgate, Southside, South Knoll, and Wellborn plans, emphasizing formal public review and resident input.
Voted NO on changing the Restricted Occupancy Overlay application process to let multiple contiguous phases apply jointly with one application and one fee. Motion passed 6–1.
Opposed publishing notice of intent to issue 2021 Certificates of Obligation without voter approval. Motion passed 5–1.
Opposed moving forward with parameters for the FY2021 bond issuance. Motion passed 6–1.
Opposed the notice of intent to issue up to $31.1 million in Certificates of Obligation for infrastructure and other projects without a public bond vote. Motion passed 6–1.
Opposed authorizing $43.3 million in Certificates of Obligation without direct voter approval. Motion passed 5–1.
Opposed a $112,490 discretionary contract to build two bird blinds at Lick Creek Park. Motion passed 5–2.
Opposed directing city staff to identify $2 million in city funding for a new Unlimited Potential facility.
Voted to invoice ViaSat for non-compliance in an amount equal to the city’s 2020 taxpayer-funded incentive payment.
Opposed directing the Brazos County Tax Office to calculate the FY2025 voter-approval tax rate under special disaster-related provisions that allow higher tax rates without an election. Motion passed 5–2.
Supported the general-obligation bond refinancing package estimated to save College Station taxpayers approximately $1.2 million in interest costs.
Voted against authorizing eminent domain to seize approximately 102 acres of private property for the proposed park.
Voted against the ordinance limiting private homes to no more than two unrelated occupants where adopted.
Voted to allow a property owner’s land-use change that would have permitted townhomes, duplexes, and apartments (proposal denied 5–2).
Voted to approve a land-use designation change for approximately 10 acres on Graham Road.
Voted against a motion to deny the property owner’s townhome rezoning request (motion to deny passed 6–1).
Allowed duplexes, townhouses, small-lot single-family homes, and multiplexes by right in the new Middle Housing zoning district.
Voted to approve Middle Housing rezonings on Cooner and Live Oak Streets, plus duplex plans for Avenue A and sites near Park Place, Highlands, Maryem, and Luther.
Approved federal Elder Aid funding to purchase and rehabilitate four affordable senior rental units on Longleaf and Bluestem.
Approved Elder Aid acquisition and rehabilitation of two affordable senior rental units on Hawk Tree.
Approved $244,475 in federal agreements with Elder Aid to acquire 1106 Carolina and build an affordable senior rental home.
Approved Elder Aid funding for two low-income senior rental units at 1032 Navarro with 20-year affordability protections.
Raised the city Minor Repair Program grant limit to $10,000, helping eligible homeowners maintain and stay in their homes.
Reallocated federal block-grant funds to acquire and rehabilitate housing as income-restricted rental units and approved Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Disposition (ARD) program guidelines to save existing housing.
Approved the first Middle Housing rezoning at 211 Fidelity Street for smaller-lot single-family homes.
Approved the FY24 community-development plan allocating $130,000 for homebuyer assistance and $686,705 for Habitat for Humanity housing.
Voted for the FY25 budget allocation adding funding for down-payment assistance to help families purchase homes in College Station.
Set actionable goals for producing and preserving homes residents can afford, and authorized a $3.6M federal HUD grant application to remove barriers to affordable ownership and rental housing.
Voted YES to fund bullet-resistant shields for College Station Police officers (1/26/23), firefighter protective clothing (9/28/23), SWAT night-vision equipment (11/10/22), and Bryan/CS Fire-EMS mutual aid (3/9/23).
Click any sheet below to open or print the high-resolution graphic version for sharing with neighbors.
A proven record of service, institutional knowledge, and community leadership across city government, schools, parks, and regional boards.
Municipal Conferences Attended
Speaking & Presentations
Watch or listen to Elizabeth Cunha’s in-depth interviews on housing affordability, taxes, impact fees, Terafab, public works, and neighborhood livability.
Elizabeth discusses council transparency, moving utility rate increases off the consent agenda, the Public Works facility, water wells, housing affordability, and why she refuses campaign donations.
Broadcast interview on KBTX TV (Oct. 13, 2026)
Deep-dive policy conversation on The Think Brazos Podcast
Full forum audio hosted at the Brazos Center (WTAW)
Listen on the go via Spreaker
Side-by-side written voter guide answers on growth, Public Works, Terafab & housing
Our Saviour Lutheran Church • 1001 Woodcreek Drive, College Station, TX
Registered voters in the City of College Station may vote at any of the 5 official Brazos County Early Voting Centers below.
| Dates | Days | Polling Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Oct. 19 – Oct. 23 | Mon – Fri | 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Oct. 24 | Saturday | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (12 Hrs) |
| Oct. 25 | Sunday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Oct. 26 – Oct. 30 | Mon – Fri | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM (12 Hrs) |
| Nov. 3, 2026 | ELECTION DAY (Tue) | 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM |
Because Elizabeth Cunha does not accept campaign donations, our campaign is powered 100% by College Station neighbors! Fill out the form to share your endorsement, request a yard sign, walk your neighborhood with Elizabeth, or share an issue that matters to your street.
📧 Email Elizabeth Directly: cunhaformayor@gmail.com
📘 Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/CunhaForMayor
Elizabeth Cunha discussing College Station’s future on KBTX’s “Your Vote Counts” (Oct. 2026)
Please fill out the form below to share your endorsement, request a yard sign, or connect with Elizabeth.
