Election 2026 | Question of the Week 14, District 4 | Where do you see the city in 5 years? In 10?
Each week through the General Election, The Breeze will ask the candidates for Cape Coral City Council an issue-related question. In the interest of fairness, each candidate is limited to the same amount of space, about 100 words, for their response.
Cape Coral City Council races are non-partisan races. Council members qualify in their respective districts but are elected at-large. This means all registered city voters may cast a ballot in each race regardless of where they live and the party to which they are affiliated, if any. This year’s General Election, on Nov. 3, features four Cape Coral City Council races: Mayor and the seats for District 1, 4 and 6.
Question of the Week: Where do you see the city in 5 years? In 10?
The following candidates are running for Cape Coral City Council set for District 4:
• Jennifer Nelson-Lastra (I)
In five years, I envision Cape Coral with stronger infrastructure, thoughtful growth, and a more balanced tax base. Historically, approximately 92% of the city’s tax base has been residential, while only 8% has come from commercial sources. Expanding our commercial base is essential to supporting infrastructure improvements without placing an undue burden on residents. To achieve that goal, we should bring major commercial opportunities such as 7 Islands, Bimini East, and the Yacht Club online in a way that reflects community priorities and manages growth responsibly. Over the next decade, this balanced approach can help Cape Coral become a financially sustainable, thriving city, and one that maintains its hometown character, supports reliable infrastructure, and creates opportunities for future generations to live, work and play.
• James Vargas