Isaiah Tellez, running for City Council, District 3

Q: Can you provide us with a quick bio which includes your age and current job/ job prior to taking office?

A: Isaiah Tellez, 25, I am a lifelong Las Crucen and a proud multi-generational member of the community, with deep family roots that include both my great-grandfather and grandfather serving in the military here. My father was a teacher for many years before becoming a business owner and my mother a social worker for many years with the schools. I was born and raised in Las Cruces, I went through the local school system and grew up participating in city recreation programs which helped me grow the love for our city. For the past five years, I have been a small business owner and realtor, helping many families find joy in the community I love . My experiences as both a business owner and a lifelong resident have shaped my commitment to public service and to ensuring the city remains a safe and welcoming place for families to thrive.

Q: Why are you running?

A: I’m running because I believe Las Cruces deserves safe neighborhoods, thriving local businesses, and opportunities for families to succeed and feel safe. As someone who was born and raised here, I’ve seen firsthand the challenges our community faces currently. From rising crime, especially among our youth, to the need for better support for local businesses and working families, and addressing public safety so everyone can feel safe within their own community, I want to bring a fresh perspective to the city council, rooted in listening to our residents and making decisions that put our community first. For me, this is about giving back to the city that has given me so much.

Q: What do you think are the biggest challenges facing Las Cruces?

A: One of the biggest challenges facing Las Cruces right now is public safety. particularly the rise in youth crime. Families deserve to feel safe in their homes, their neighborhoods, and our parks, and addressing this issue has to be a top priority. Beyond safety, we’re also facing housing affordability concerns and the need to support our local economy so businesses can grow and provide good jobs. As our city continues to expand, balancing that growth with smart investments in infrastructure will also be key. These challenges are serious, but I believe with the right leadership and community collaboration, we can turn them into opportunities for a stronger Las Cruces.

Q: What do you hope to do to address these issues?

A: To address these challenges, my top priority is improving public safety by working closely with law enforcement, the schools, community organizations, and local businesses to create youth programs that keep the youth engaged and on the right path. That means creating modern recreation programs that go beyond just sports. Programs that also connect with youth who are interested in gaming, content creation, or technology in general. Every young person deserves a safe and positive outlet, and if we build spaces and programs that meet their interests, we can guide them away from harmful paths and toward brighter futures I also want to ensure affordable housing projects are successful by tracking data and outcomes before investing in more. So every dollar brings real results for our community. Finally, I’ll focus on strengthening our local economy by supporting small businesses, attracting responsible growth, and making smart infrastructure investments to keep Las Cruces moving forward in a positive and effective way.

Q: What policies would you champion or support to help address concerns around high crime rates in the city?

A: Public safety is at top of my agenda, and lowering high crime rates involves prevention as well as responsibility. I would maintain policies that increase neighborhood policing and trust between residents and law enforcement officials, as well as making sure our officers have the training and equipment they need to respond fairly and effectively. I’d also champion investments in youth programs, mental health services, and addiction treatment because reducing crime isn’t just about enforcement, it’s about addressing the root causes. Safer neighborhoods come from a balanced approach: strong public safety, community trust, and opportunities that give people a path away from crime.

Q: Discussions around how to address homelessness have been common in the city. How would you go about solving this issue?

A: Homelessness is a complex issue, and solving it requires both compassionate and practical solutions. I believe that our city needs to continue to expand affordable housing and strengthen partnerships with local nonprofits and service agencies that are already engaged in some very important work. We need to invest in supportive services like mental health care, alcoholism and drug treatment, and job training, so not only do individuals receive housing, but they have the support to stay housed. I also believe in creating a work-in program within our affordable housing options. For example some cities partner with nonprofits to create programs where unhoused residents work in city beautification, community gardens, or job apprenticeships. In return, they earn wages, gain experience, and sometimes reduce rent contributions in supportive housing. This would give the unhoused opportunities to build skills, contribute to their community, and “level up” toward independence. By pairing housing with opportunity, we’re not just addressing homelessness in the short term we’re setting people up for long-term success. But at the same time, we need to make sure residents feel safe in their neighborhoods, so balancing outreach with accountability is key. By bringing community voices to the table and focusing on long-term solutions, we can make real progress toward reducing homelessness in Las Cruces. The city has been investing in many affordable housing projects in recent years.

Q: What do you hope the future of affordable housing looks like in the city?

A: The city has made important progress by investing in affordable housing, but the future I hope for goes beyond just adding more units. I think it’s about building opportunity and sustainability. Affordable housing should give families stability, but it should also serve as a foundation for growth. I want to see programs that connect residents to job training, education, and even “work-in” opportunities so they can build skills, contribute to the community, and eventually transition into market-rate housing if they choose. At the same time, we need to make sure we’re being smart with our investments. Before moving forward with additional projects, I believe the city must gather and analyze as much data as possible on how current affordable housing initiatives are performing. Are families finding stability? Are residents moving into long-term independence? Are we seeing the strongest possible return for our community? By answering these questions, we can ensure every new project is built on lessons learned and is truly meeting the needs of Las Cruces.

Q: As the city continues to grow, what infrastructure improvements do you see as necessary in the future?

A: As Las Cruces continues to grow it’s important that our infrastructure keeps pace. First and foremost, we need to invest in our roads, ensuring they’re safe and well-maintained for the families and businesses who rely on them every day. We also need to modernize our utilities and broadband access so that every household whether for school, work, or business has the tools to thrive in today’s world. Parks and recreation facilities are another key piece of our infrastructure. Families deserve safe, modern spaces, and we should be expanding recreation opportunities not only for kids in sports, but also for youth who are interested in computers, technology, gaming, and content creation. Building this kind of well-rounded infrastructure will help attract new businesses, support our families, and make Las Cruces a city that’s prepared for the future.

Q: How would you attract new businesses and investments in some of the metropolitan redevelopment areas like El Paseo Rd. and Solano Dr.?

A: Attracting new businesses and investments to redevelopment areas like El Paseo and Solano requires a combination of strategic planning, incentives, and community engagement. First, we need to make these areas appealing by improving infrastructure, streetscapes, lighting, and public safety. creating spaces where people want to shop, dine, and spend time. Second, offering smart incentives, such as tax credits, façade improvement grants, or low-interest loans, can encourage small businesses and startups to set up shop. Partnering with local developers and entrepreneurs will also help ensure investments align with the community’s vision. Finally, I believe in engaging residents early in the process. When the people who live, work, and visit these neighborhoods have a say, redevelopment projects are more successful, sustainable, and reflective of the unique culture of Las Cruces. My goal is to create vibrant, thriving commercial corridors that support both new business growth and the long-term success of our community.