In the race to become the fourth representative in the history of Houston's District I, the most qualified candidate is experienced at serving its mostly eastside constituents.

James Rodriguez, 32, a district native who graduated from Milby High School and earned a business administration degree from the University of Houston, was incumbent Carol Alvarado's chief of staff for four and a half years. In that position, he mastered the internal workings of City Hall and also helped citizens in their dealings with city government. Before leaving to become marketing director for Entech Civil Engineering, he helped Alvarado develop a 24-hour constituent response plan for the district.

"I want to use my experience in the District I office to continue the progress we've made and to be a hands-on council member," Rodriguez said. "We lose a lot of institutional knowledge there at City Council with term limits, so I figure I can get in and hit the ground running."

The candidate supports light rail. He wants to work on council to get more funding for police and firefighters in the district. Rodriguez has been endorsed by the Houston Police Officers Union, the Houston Apartment Association and the Houston Association of Realtors, among others. He has Alvarado's support. When Alvarado was mayor pro tem, several members of the pro tem staff were accused of fraud, but the District I staff directed by Rodriguez was not involved.

District I voters are fortunate to have the opportunity to elect one of the most promising young civic leaders in the city to represent them at City Hall. The Houston Chronicle believes Rodriguez will become an outstanding councilman.