A Look At Lee Mendez

by Diego Rico
April 11, 2009

Lee Mendez is an El Paso mayoral candidate who is currently a student at the University of Texas at El Paso pursuing his career in Education with a Social Studies Composite.

When Lee Mendez begins talking about the issues concerning him most, his youth fades into a stern look of confidence and assurance in knowing the platform he pursues. The “Three I’s” are the focus of his campaign, those being Industry, Infrastructure, and Innovation. When speaking of El Paso, Mendez strongly asserts that industry is a leg of the stool El Paso must gain once again in order to replace low-wage service jobs within the city by bringing industry back into the larger picture. “After NAFTA, many textiles were lost to Juarez and Mexico; yet, the city never renewed the industry sector with other higher-paying skilled job.” Mendez states that he is determined to bring high paying companies to El Paso to offer the strengths we can offer as a city.

Infrastructure is another issue that Lee wants to tackle; one that has been brought into a large focus in recent months after the Smart Bus Route along Oregon was introduced. He points to the fact that there has been a lack of foresight when it comes to city planning and development. “New York and Chicago are big cities because they planned their development in ways that allowed them to become big cities. El Paso’s quick-buck mentality is what led to inefficient government costs. The 2006 storm water disaster is a clear example.”

As for innovation, Lee Mendez describes a certain missing link between the city government of El Paso and the University of Texas at El Paso. Recently, talks have come into light about the construction of a new international bridge along the border, the problem he notes is that the lack of a firm network between UTEP and El Paso has not allowed for collaboration for the project and instead has been outsourced to a company outside El Paso to possibly construct the bridge. “This can be a great experience for engineers and students from UTEP to work and gain experience, but there isn’t the cooperation between the city and the university we need.”

When it comes to Lee Mendez’s age, it might be the most repeated attack on his capabilities as mayor of El Paso. However, when people say he still doesn’t have his bachelor’s degree Lee calmly responds, “I haven’t finished my degree yet, but I am not uneducated.” He cites his Navy enrollment as a strong showcase for his leadership abilities and his knowledge and familiarity with the working class El Pasoan. In fact, Mendez says his age is an actual advantage! Noting the large young population in El Paso, mostly mid-20s to mid-30s, he feels his candidacy carries a unique and young perspective on how we can manage this city to foster the talents and innovation its young residents can offer.

On top of his 3 I’s platform, Lee feels that the mayor of a city musts be the strongest and loudest spokesperson for their city. “With our unique population, I’d like to get on the road to command attention from companies and to show them the people we have in our city.” Job with high wages and benefits are some of the features he would like to see come to El Paso sooner rather than later.

In discussing UTEP Tier1 status, Lee emphasizes that although Austin and El Paso emulate different cultures, it should not be a reason to be ostracized from the decisions that affect us as a city and a region. “UTEP has the largest graduation rate for Hispanics, the UT system receives a lot of money for that accomplishment; yet, we don’t see much of that money being spent in West Texas. Instead, it is used and kept towards East Texas, and we never see the amount of money we bring in as UTEP.”

Lee Mendez shows great enthusiasm when it comes to the possibilities that surround the large acreage that will be left at the ASARCO site for future use. “El Paso has a great natural resource—the Sun! I know it might seem like a crazy idea, but those crazy ideas are the ones that can improve our city substantially.”

“We should focus on using the power that is available to city government to change the way we perceive our city; green industry among other things are ways of doing that. Despite the outcome of the election, the youth of the city must keep up the momentum that has been building. Just because you’re young does not mean you cannot do certain things. Take initiative and pursue what you want!”

When it comes to taking action, Lee Mendez certainly is taking that step in his career and life. It’s important to note that when most mayors receive funding through dinners and donations, Lee has bootstrapped his own venture, using bake sales and other creative fundraising activities to fund his campaign personally.

The Ri wishes this young UTEP student the best of luck!

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Diego Rico

Rico is a junior Finance and Accounting major at the University of Texas at El Paso. He is the Vice President of the Regional Economic Development Association and the President of the Collegiate Entrepreneurs' Organization. He plans to work in investment banking with an international focus. He is a sky diving enthusiast.