Melisa Perez

Strongly Agree

This is a core belief for me, rooted in both moral conviction and conservative values. Protecting the unborn is essential, but so is recognizing the rare and serious cases where a mother’s life is at risk. In those instances, we must approach with compassion, medical wisdom, and respect for both lives involved.

Strongly Agree

I fully agree. Abortion providers like Planned Parenthood should not receive a single dollar of taxpayer funding, not from the federal government, not from the state, and certainly not from our local budgets. Taxpayer dollars should never be used to subsidize or support organizations that profit from ending innocent life. Even when funding is “technically” designated for other services, it frees up resources within those organizations to continue performing and promoting abortions. That’s una

Strongly Disagree

Taxpayer funds should not be used to lobby the state legislature or Congress. That’s not the role of government, especially local government and it’s not the right use of hard-earned taxpayer dollars. Lobbying should be done through private organizations, associations, or coalitions funded voluntarily, not by pulling from city budgets meant for roads, public safety, and essential services. Using public money to influence legislation leads to government entities advocating for more government.

Strongly Disagree

It is not the city’s role to provide subsidized housing at taxpayer expense. Local government should stick to core responsibilities like public safety, roads, and economic growth, not expand into welfare programs better handled at the state or federal level. We need less bureaucracy and more private-sector solutions that promote opportunity and personal responsibility.

Disagree

While I understand the frustration many feel about rising property taxes, outright abolishing property taxes isn't realistic at the local level, especially when they fund essential services like police, fire, and infrastructure. I firmly support reducing the property tax burden through responsible budgeting, homestead exemptions, and smarter spending. We should never ask families to pay more simply because the government refuses to live within its means.

Strongly Agree

Government should never punish or discriminate against anyone, individual, business, or organization, for holding the belief that marriage is between one man and one woman. That belief is deeply rooted in faith, tradition, and conscience, and protecting it is essential to preserving true religious liberty and free speech. Everyone deserves equal treatment under the law, and that includes those who live by their convictions. As a conservative, I will always stand against government overreach.

Strongly Agree

Religious liberty is a core American right and it’s under threat. People of faith should never be forced to choose between their beliefs and participating in public life, business, or education. I will always defend the right of individuals, families, and business owners to live according to their convictions without fear of government interference.

Strongly Disagree

No city official should have the authority to proclaim their city a sanctuary for illegal aliens. That directly undermines federal immigration law, compromises public safety, and sends the wrong message to law-abiding citizens and legal immigrants. As a conservative, I believe in the rule of law. Cities should be focused on serving their residents, not playing politics with national security. We must support law enforcement, uphold our laws, and put our citizens first.

My faith is the foundation of who I am and how I lead. I believe in God, the power of prayer, and in living by biblical principles like honesty, humility, service, and personal responsibility. These values guide every decision I make, as a wife, a mother, a business owner, and as someone seeking to serve this community. I believe we’re called to lead with integrity, to speak truth boldly, and to always put others before ourselves.

Strongly Agree

Children have every right to be protected from sexually explicit materials in publicly funded libraries, including school libraries. Taxpayer dollars should never be used to expose minors to content that is inappropriate, graphic, or undermines parental authority. Parents deserve to know what their children have access to, and schools and libraries should focus on education, not agendas. Protecting kids is common sense and I will always stand on the side of parental rights and child safety.

Strongly Disagree

Secure elections require voter ID. Just as we need an ID to drive, fly, or pick up a package, showing identification to vote is a simple, common-sense way to protect the integrity of our elections. Voter ID laws don’t suppress votes, they protect them. Every legal vote should count, and requiring photo ID helps ensure that’s exactly what happens.

Agree

Transparency in local elections is essential. Making all candidate filings, including ballot applications and campaign finance reports available online within 24 hours ensures accountability and builds trust with voters. Taxpayers deserve to see who’s running, who’s funding them, and that all filings are timely and accurate. Open government is good government.

Strongly Agree

Voters deserve full transparency when it comes to bond measures. That means clearly disclosing not just the potential tax rate increase, but also the real dollar impact on the average single-family home. Taxpayers should know exactly what they’re voting on, no fine print, no hidden costs. Honest, detailed disclosure is the foundation of responsible local government.

Strongly Agree

Biological males should not be allowed to compete in women’s sports or enter spaces specifically designated for biological women, including bathrooms, locker rooms, shelters, or prisons. This is about fairness, privacy, and safety. Protecting women’s rights means respecting biological realities.

Strongly Disagree

Mandatory Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) training is not the right path for Mansfield. While respect and fairness in the workplace are important, requiring DEI training for all city employees can create division and expose the city to legal challenges. Instead, Mansfield should focus on promoting an inclusive culture through voluntary programs that encourage mutual respect and open dialogue, without government mandates.

Strongly Disagree

Taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize green initiatives like electric vehicle charging stations. If these technologies are truly viable, the private market will support and expand them without government handouts. Using public funds to push a specific agenda, especially one not all residents benefit from is not a responsible use of taxpayer dollars.

Absolutely not.

No

Purpose of government is to protect the rights and freedoms of its citizens, ensure public safety, uphold the rule of law, and provide essential services that individuals and private entities cannot efficiently manage on their own, like infrastructure, police, and fire protection. Government should be limited, accountable, and focused. It exists to serve the people, not control them, and should always operate with fiscal responsibility and respect for individual liberty.

Agree

Candidates and officeholders should disclose all business investments and real estate holdings, especially those within the city or in areas being considered for annexation. Transparency builds public trust and helps prevent conflicts of interest. Voters have a right to know if personal financial interests could influence public decisions. Integrity in public service starts with full disclosure.

My business investments and real estate holdings are fully transparent: I am the owner of MaryLou’s Coffee and Sandwich Shoppe, located in historic downtown Mansfield, which I have operated for the past 14 years. My husband and I own our personal residence in Mansfield, which we consider our forever home. We also own 1 acre of property off of West Broad Street in Mansfield. I do not own any property or hold any business interests in areas currently proposed for annexation. I believe in full transparency and have nothing to hide. If elected, I will always put the interests of the community above any personal or business considerations.

Conservative

I would describe myself as conservative — both economically and socially. I believe in limited government, fiscal responsibility, free markets, individual liberty, religious freedom, and the sanctity of life. I support strong border enforcement, law and order, local control, and traditional values. My approach to public service is guided by personal responsibility, integrity, and a deep respect for the Constitution and the role of government as a servant of the people, not their master.

2014 General Election 2016 General Election 2018 Republican Primary 2018 General Election 2020 Republican Primary 2020 General Election 2022 Republican Primary 2022 General Election

Strongly Disagree

Redirecting funds away from police departments is dangerous and irresponsible. Our officers are already stretched thin, and public safety should never be compromised for political trends. While I support community programs that promote safety and opportunity, they should be funded separately, not at the expense of law enforcement.

I believe law-abiding citizens have the right to keep and bear arms without unnecessary government interference. We already have laws in place to prevent firearms from falling into the hands of convicted criminals and those who are a danger to themselves or others. The focus should be on enforcing existing laws, not adding new restrictions that punish responsible gun owners. Public safety is best protected by ensuring our citizens can defend themselves and by holding criminals fully accountable.

Strongly Disagree

Agree

Annual financial audits by an independent, third-party auditor promote transparency, accountability, and trust in local government. Taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent, and regular audits help ensure departments are operating efficiently and ethically. It’s a common-sense safeguard that supports fiscal responsibility.

Three key issues that need the most attention in Mansfield are traffic and infrastructure, overdevelopment, and transparency. Our roads are not keeping pace with the city’s rapid growth, and we need updated traffic studies, smarter planning, and a strong commitment to fixing and widening roads before allowing further large-scale development. Apartment projects continue to strain our infrastructure and threaten the suburban character of Mansfield, which is why I support responsible growth that protects our community values. Additionally, transparency and accountability are essential, residents deserve clear, timely information on city decisions, development deals, and how their tax dollars are spent. I will work to ensure local government remains open, honest, and accountable to the people it serves.