Q&A with mayoral candidate David Baskett.

David Baskett

Q: Having served some time on Stephenville City Council, what are some projects within the city you have personally worked on to successfully move forward or bring to a vote? 

A: Two of the most significant projects I’ve played a key role in are the expansion of the runway at the Stephenville airport and securing pay increases for our first responders.

For nearly 20 years, the City of Stephenville had struggled to acquire the land necessary to extend the airport runway, a crucial step for our community’s growth.

I worked closely with the city manager and a member of the airport board to help negotiate the land purchase, allowing us to finally move forward with the long overdue expansion.

In the past year, I’ve also been actively engaged in conversations with our fire and police associations, alongside fellow council members, to address ongoing concerns about compensation.

We held several meetings to explore various solutions, and I’m proud to have supported the pay increases approved in the 2025–2026 fiscal year budget.

Q: Stephenville has seen a significant increase in economic development in recent years. As mayor, what do you anticipate your role will be in furtherance of economic development within the city?

A: I’ve built a strong working relationship with the Stephenville Economic Development Authority (SEDA) staff and board, attending most of their meetings since joining the council.

This collaboration is essential to ensuring responsible, sustained growth for Stephenville.

I’ve had the opportunity to meet with business owners alongside SEDA and plan to continue doing so, including attending trade shows to help attract the right candidates for business and industry in our area.

While retail and commercial development are important, we must continue to prioritize industrial growth that brings in high-paying jobs.

SEDA has been instrumental in attracting companies like Trojan Steel, Clean Control, and Amazon, as well as facilitating the 290,000 sq. ft. cold storage expansion at Schreiber Foods.

They also manage our Texas Enterprise Zone program, which provides valuable local and state incentives to industry partners.

Q: What do you see as the primary challenges facing the city over the next 5-10 years and what steps should be taken in your first term to address those challenges?

A: Supporting our public safety officers must remain a top priority. This requires ongoing dialogue to ensure their needs are met, not just financially, but operationally.

In addition, we must address infrastructure challenges head-on if we want to continue growing in a sustainable way. I was honored to be invited to serve on the TxDOT Steering Committee for the Fort Worth District.

With six TxDOT highways running through Stephenville, maintaining a strong relationship with the agency is essential for keeping our roads safe and well-maintained.

Q: Both candidates have issued statements that parks and recreation will be an important part of their work. What areas do you propose need the most improvement and how do you intend to balance services to children, families and senior citizens?

A: Parks and recreation are deeply personal to me. I grew up playing on the fields, courts, and playgrounds here in Stephenville, and I know how important these spaces are to our community's quality of life.

We’ve made significant progress in recent years, including the construction of a new baseball field designed to host tournaments for all age groups. These events bring visitors who shop, dine, and stay in our city, directly supporting local businesses.

Still, there’s more work to do. We’re addressing outdated restroom facilities at the ball fields and rec hall, and we’re upgrading our playground to be fully inclusive so that children of all abilities have a safe place to play.

We’re exploring plans for new pickleball courts and continuing to look for ways to expand gym space. The recently completed Legacy Center has also been a great addition, offering programs such as yoga, bingo, and community dances.

Q: What educational and career experience in your background make you uniquely qualified to serve in this elected capacity?

A: As a business owner of three current and six total businesses over my career, I understand what it means to be fiscally responsible while planning for growth.

I know how to evaluate financial statements and pro formas to assess feasibility, and I’m not afraid to make the hard calls when something isn’t working.

With over 20 years of experience in lending, helping people start businesses or become homeowners, I understand what our residents need, especially when it comes to housing. We must focus on increasing single-family housing options in Stephenville.

My team includes loan officers in multiple states, across both urban and rural Texas, which gives me insight into housing trends and economic strategies that can help guide our city’s future.