(Seguin) — Two candidates used Tuesday night’s council meeting to announce their intentions to run for office.
Jason Biesenbach announced his candidacy for the District 7. That seat is currently vacant, after Councilwoman Penny Wallace stepped down at the end of last year. Biesenbach says he understands the importance of good governance, and he believes that he can help the city move forward.
“If the everyday person wants to affect change in their community, they have to step up and choose to make a difference and I believe that real change happens at the local level. I had the privilege of participating in the latest redistricting committee and I really enjoyed my time there. I had the chance to attend many council meetings and I’ve got to know many of you pretty well. I like the direction the city is going and how the growth and expansion are being managed. Everybody wants a Chick-Fil-A but not everybody understands they won’t come if the cliental is not there and that takes managed growth. I love this city and I hope to be able to sit on council and continue to help Seguin grow in the right direction,” said Biesenbach
Biesenbach is a local businessman, and he says that he could help make a difference in Seguin.
“I was born in San Antonio, and I grew up in New Braunfels and I can remember a day when New Braunfels wasn’t crazy with traffic and congestion. I have a wife of almost 21 years, two kids and we moved to Seguin about 19 years ago. My first official job as a teenager was at Whataburger so I am Texan through and through. I worked in the fast-food industry and construction industry as a house remodeler and in 2009, I landed a job with a high end cabinet builder in New Braunfels where I learned the trade and in 2020, I left and started my own company building custom cabinets here in Seguin,” said Biesenbach.
Paul Gaytan also announced his plans to run for the District 5 seat. Gaytan is a local attorney and says that he’s given careful consideration to this decision to run.
“I’m proud to be a native son of Seguin. I lived in District 5 growing up. I live on South River Street and then I also live on Deerslayer and it’s interesting that District 5 has now expanded to the Tor property area. I went to Weinert, Saegert Middle School, graduated Seguin High School in 1990. I went to Texas Lutheran College – that’s what it was called at the time. I graduated there in 1994 with a political science degree and then I went to Law School in Austin at the University of Texas. I graduated in 1998. I practiced law in the Rio Grande Valley for 22 years – an expansive practice. It was always a dream to come back home. I was finally able to accomplish that two years ago,” said Gaytan.
Gaytan says he’s been looking for ways to better serve his community, and he feels like he would be an asset on the city council.
“I tried to get involved since I’ve been back. I’m on the Mid-Texas Symphony Board. I’m on the Seguin Parks and Recreation Board. I’m a member at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. I’m a member of the Rotary Club of Seguin. I’m a member of both chambers of commerce and I’m also a Master Naturalist so one thing I did in the Valley was I volunteered at state parks and I was an active Master Naturalist there. Anyway, it would be an honor to serve if given the opportunity,” said Gaytan.
The District 5 seat is currently held by Councilman Jeremy Roy, who made an announcement of his own Tuesday night. Roy says he will not run again, although he is eligible to pursue another term.
“I want everybody in this room to know how excited I am that Paul Gaytan is running for city council. I fully and whole heartedly endorse his candidacy for city council member of District 5 of Seguin, Texas and along with my endorsement of Paul’s candidacy, I want to announce that I do not intend to seek re-election. It was actually, I, that approached Paul about a year and a half ago when I came to the realization that I just wasn’t going to run again. I ran in the first place just simply because nobody else was going to, but it’s been a pleasure to serve, a honor to serve, it’s exciting to know what’s going on in our city and so many good things are happening,” said Roy.
The District 3 and District 8 council seats will also appear on the ballot. The District 3 seat is held by Councilman Chris Aviles, who has not yet announced whether he will seek reelection. Councilman Mark Herbold is nearing the end of his second term as the representative for District 8. Due to the city’s term limits, he is not eligible to seek reelection.
Individuals interested in running for any of the council positions need to pick up an application packet at Seguin City Hall. The application must be returned by no later than 5 p.m. on Monday, August 22.