The Cuero City Council has a contested race of two at-large positions with three candidates running. We asked the candidates – Adam Arroyo, Russell Mobley and Charles Tounley– to introduce themselves and answer standard questions. The following are their answers:
Editor’s Note: District 1 and District 4 city council members, Shannon Henson and Tony Allen respectively, will be on the ballot, unopposed, for seats they currently hold. On Wednesday, April 16, local candidates will appear at 6 p.m. at the Cuero Municipal Clubhouse for a Candidate Forum.
Adam Arroyo
1. Background & Experience
• Born & raised in Cuero
• Graduated from CHS in 1988
• Met wife Amy while attending Baylor, where I played football
• 3 children - Alyssa CHS’19, A&M’23, MBA’24 - Adam Arroyo Jr. (AJ), CHS’22, Jr. at A&M, Mays Business School - Ace, freshman at CHS
• Moved back to Cuero in 2020 to be Asst Athletic Director, football & golf coach & teacher at CHS
• Served on the original Board of Directors for the Boys & Girls Club from 20132015
• Served as President of the local chapter of the Coastal Conservation Association 2019-present
• Interviewed for and was appointed to the At-Large City Council position in July of 2024
• I spent 10 years as an athletic director at two different schools where I managed 25 employees, set & monitored budgets to ensure each sport stayed within their budget, kept pre- & post-season equipment inventories, and worked closely with the superintendent, principals, business manager, and school board.
2. What three principles form the core of your political beliefs?
• Equality-Making sure all people in our community have equal opportunities
• Representative Government- I can be a voice for my community
• Law and Order-Ensuring the safety of our city 3. What are your top 3 priorities for our city & how do you plan to achieve them?
• Make Cuero a safe city-making sure the agencies in our community get the resources and support they need
• Improving the overall appearance of our town-working with local organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce, Cuero Development Corporation, and Keeping Cuero Beautiful to embrace our community • Improving ergonomic opportunities-trying to add jobs, and attract businesses to move to Cuero.
4. How would you handle situations where your personal beliefs conflict with your constituents’ wishes?
I'm not one to vote against my personal beliefs, but I will listen to everyone’s opinions, and try to come up with a solution that works for everyone.
Russell Mobley
Background and experience: I'm a 44-year-old lifelong resident of Cuero. CHS honors graduate, Class of 98. I participated in student council as President of CJHS and class president as a freshman and sophomore. I've worked at a variety of local businesses such as McDonald’s, Sonic, Church’s, Mount Vernon Mills, The Texan, and Davis Contractors. I covered the 2024 Cuero Gobblers for the Cuero Record.
Equality, Honesty, and Integrity are three principles that form my political beliefs.
Top 3 priorities for Cuero: I'd like to see everyone become more active in local politics. All of us should have a voice, and I definitely speak for the under-represented, underserved part of the city. I’d also like to see city leaders address our poverty rate, maybe look into bringing in better paying jobs that actually hire people from here. I’d also like to see citizens, politicians and the business class work together to make this community truly how life ought to be and not just a slogan. When we come together for common goals in our city, it truly maximizes our potential.
Being a candidate for City Council At-Large, I’d have a diverse group of constituents with a variety of issues and concerns. I'd have to focus on the legality of the issue at hand first and foremost, I think my values coincide with my voters wishes. I did not come to be a “yes man.” I came to make my community better for all of us and give other citizens like me fair representation in local politics.
Charles Tounley
As a lifelong resident of Cuero, I am excited to announce my candidacy for the City Council at-large seat. With a vision of helping Cuero to meet its needs and challenges that it faces currently and in the future, I am eager to add my experiences and strengths for public service to the council.
My campaign is simple. My campaign focuses on community engagement, accountability, and innovative solutions for the city's key issues.
My focuses are on:
•Strengthening Local Economy Development through involvement.
• Supporting existing small businesses.
• Promote new business growth with a strong sustainable economic long-term growth action plan.
• Continue to work with current leadership to improve Public Services, enhancing public safety, health, and education services for all residents.
• Achieving equitable governance by ensuring diverse representation and diplomatic decision making processes.
I have over 25 years of experience in community service with a proven history of effective community involvement. My previous services include:
• Director of the Cuero Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture
• Served on the Board of Trustees for the Gulf Bend Center
• Served as President of the Cuero Development Corporation • Served as board member for the Cuero Housing Authority • Served on the board of the DeWitt Medical Foundation Past President and me• mber of the Cuero Lion’s Club.
I am currently retired from Texas Gas Services after 33 years of employment. Fifteen of those years serving as the area manager for the South Texas service area. My family and I are also members of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church.
I believe in the strength of a community working together to create a city that benefits us all. As your city council member, I will be committed to listening to your concerns and working for the needs of Cuero.
I would appreciate your consideration and vote on May 3,2025
Footnote: Personal values conflict with constituent wishes. The best answer I can give is that you listen to what they are saying or asking for, then make your point as to why you don’t agree and hope you can come to a consensus.
