Elida S. Perez

El Paso Times

Eight candidates are vying for the mayoral seat in the May 6 election to replace Oscar Leeser, who is not seeking re-election after his first term.

The winning candidate will serve a four-year term starting in June and will be paid $45,000 a year.

The last day to register to vote in the election is April 6, with early voting scheduled for April 24 to May 2.

Below is a glance at the mayoral candidates:

Emma Acosta

Age: 64

Education: Business administration master's from Webster University; bachelor's from the University of Texas at El Paso.

Experience/background: Spent 30 years as a city employee, including director of the city's sanitation department before retiring in 2004. In 2005, Acosta started a consulting firm, Emma Acosta Consulting, which has been dormant for the past few years.

She was elected to represent East-Central El Paso in District 3 in 2008. She also serves on various boards, including the Texas Municipal League, the Metropolitan Planning Organization and the city's Financial Audit and Oversight Committee.

Campaign information: emmaacostaforelpasomayor.com or on Facebook at EmmaAcostaforElPasoMayor

City Rep. Emma Acosta begins run for mayor

Jorge Artalejo

Age: 56

Education: University of San Francisco

Experience/background: Artalejo has run unsuccessfully for mayor, city representative, U.S. representative, and El Paso County Democratic Party chair.

In 1996, Artalejo was arrested in connection with a misdemeanor terroristic threat that was later was dismissed, El Paso County Court records show. In 1999, he was found guilty of a harassment charge and sentenced to 15 days in jail and a $226 fine.

William H. Cager Jr.

Age: 75

Education: Attended Texas Western College, now the University of Texas at El Paso

Experience/background: Coordinator, After School Basketball program, Ysleta Independent School District.

A political newcomer, he was a member of the 1966 Texas Western College NCAA Basketball Championship team.

His nonprofit Willie Cager Foundation, which was created in 1989, raises money for an After School Learning Center in El Paso and summer basketball camps.

Donald R. Margo

Age: 65

Education: Bachelor's in history and economics, Vanderbilt University.

Experience/background: Former CEO of JDW Insurance; currently an investment manager. He served as state representative from 2010-2012; and served as president of the El Paso Independent School District Board of Managers after the Texas Education Agency suspended the elected school district board of trustees.

He ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Texas senate in 2006, then in 2008 ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Texas House against Rep. Joe Moody, D-El Paso, before defeating him in 2010. Moody then regained his seat in 2012.

He was appointed to the oversight committee of the Cancer Research and Prevention Institute, a $3 billion program that launched in 2009, by Gov. Greg Abbott last year. He also serves on numerous other boards.

Campaign information: margoformayor.org or on Facebook at deemargoelpaso

Dee Margo launches campaign for mayor

Elisa Andrea Morales

Age: 33

Education: Bachelor's in psychology and criminal justice, University of Texas at San Antonio; master's in business administration, Texas A&M University.

Experience/background: AARP volunteer.

She is a former FBI intern and also held a health fellowship with the office of U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-El Paso, and Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-TN, who chairs the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

Campaign information: elisamoralesforelpaso.com or on Facebook at MoralesforMayor

Jaime O. Perez

Age: 63

Education: Bachelor's in government, Brandies University; master's in government, University of California Berkeley.

Experience/background: English teacher and former chief of staff for former El Paso County Judge Anthony Cobos.

Perez has unsuccessfully run for mayor at least five times over the last three decades, starting when he was 28. He also ran unsuccessfully for city representative, state representative, El Paso Community College trustee, Texas Railroad Commission and the El Paso County Commissioners Court.

He headed failed recall efforts against two former City Council members.

David Edward Saucedo II

Age: 32

Education: Bachelor's in accounting, University of Notre Dame

Experience/background: Owner, Saucedo Lock Co.

He serves as president of Cathedral High School's Council of Presidents.

Saucedo has also served with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and the Boys and Girls Clubs of El Paso.

He resigned as the Boys and Girls Club president in September after a leave of absence that started in June. In December, the club faced financial turmoil and according to media reports was unable to pay its employees and dismissed its CEO chief financial officer. Saucedo has said he was unaware of any financial struggles the club was facing.

Campaign information: saucedoformayor.com or on Facebook at David.E.Saucedo

David Saucedo launches run for El Paso mayor

Charles Ryan Stapler

Age: 79

Education: Attended D.C. Teachers College.

Experience/background: Retired U.S. Postal worker; U.S. Navy Reserve, 10 years; historic preservation advocate.

Stapler serves as the northwest representative for the Neighborhood Alliance, he also serves on the city’s Historic Landmark Commission and Open Space Advisory Board.

Campaign information: charlieforelpasomayor or on Facebook at crstapler