Peter Michelena for Brazos County Commissioner, Precinct 4
Integrity. Transparency. Accountability.
Hi, I’m Peter Michelena. I’m running for Brazos County Commissioner, Precinct 4, because I believe county government should work for the people who live here and pay for it.
I never set out to become a politician. After people at VFW Post 4692 saw the improvements our team made while I served as Quartermaster, they encouraged me to pay closer attention to county government. I began attending Commissioners Court meetings, listening to the discussions, and watching the votes. The spending decisions and lack of accountability I witnessed convinced me to run.
Integrity
Integrity means doing what is right even when it is difficult or no one is watching. I will keep my word, put the public interest ahead of politics, and apply the same test to every decision: Is it responsible, fair, and in the best interest of the people and taxpayers of Brazos County?
Transparency
Residents deserve clear information before important decisions are made, not explanations after the fact. I will explain proposals, costs, alternatives, and my votes in plain language so the public can follow county government and participate meaningfully. We need to understand how and why we are being impacted by our local government.
Accountability
Every decision must have an owner and every expenditure must have a measurable public benefit. I will ask hard questions, follow up on results, and be honest when something needs to be corrected.
Service and Experience
Public service is more than holding a title. It means showing up, listening carefully, doing the work, and taking responsibility for the outcome. My experience in the Marine Corps, at the VFW, at Texas A&M, in field engineering, and in building inspection gives me a practical, service-first perspective on county government.
Building Inspection and Construction Oversight
My work in building construction and as a City of Bryan building inspector taught me how to evaluate existing commercial buildings, proposed construction, plans, field conditions, and municipal requirements. That experience helps me understand technical recommendations, spot concerns earlier, and ask informed questions about scope, changes, safety, maintenance, and total cost. I will use that perspective to help protect taxpayers from avoidable surprises while respecting the roles of engineers, architects, inspectors, and county professionals.
Field Engineering
Field engineering taught me that a plan must work outside the meeting room. Materials, sequencing, communication, site conditions, and long-term maintenance all affect the final result. I will look beyond the initial price of a project and consider whether it is properly planned, how risks and changes will be managed, and what it will cost Brazos County to operate and maintain over time.
Military Service
I served five years as a Reconnaissance Marine with 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, deployed to Afghanistan twice, and received two Purple Hearts after being injured in two separate IED attacks. Those experiences shaped my understanding of duty, preparation, teamwork, and responsibility to the people beside me. They also taught me to remain steady when the stakes are high and to put service ahead of recognition.
Texas A&M
I am a proud member of the Texas A&M Class of 2016. I studied Manufacturing and Mechanical Engineering Technology and was involved with One Army Men’s Organization and the Aggie Wranglers. Those communities strengthened my appreciation for teamwork, discipline, tradition, and selfless service.
VFW Leadership and Asset Management
As Quartermaster, Chief Finance Officer, and Operations Officer at VFW Post 4692, I help manage a nonprofit with more than $2 million in annual financial activity. My responsibilities include finances, records, property, day-to-day operations, budgeting, and responsible management of assets. People who saw the improvements our team made there encouraged me to bring the same hands-on, accountable approach to county government. That experience matters because Brazos County manages roads, buildings, equipment, land, contracts, and other public assets that must be protected for the long term.
Get to Know Me
I am a Bryan resident, a Marine veteran, an Aggie, a building inspector and field engineer, and a VFW leader. My path to this campaign has been shaped by service, practical work, and the belief that public officials must answer directly to the people affected by their decisions.
I began attending Commissioners Court meetings regularly, listening to the discussions, watching the votes, and asking questions about spending and accountability. What I witnessed convinced me that Precinct 4 needs a commissioner who will study the details, explain decisions, and remain accessible to residents.
Click my photo to hear my Think Brazos conversation with Charles Coats about my military service, my work at VFW Post 4692, and why I chose to run. You can find my KBTX interview and more of my story on the Bio page.
Click My Photo to Hear the Podcast
Campaign Priorities
Prudent Stewardship of Taxpayer Funds
Every tax dollar comes from someone who worked to earn it. Before I support a major expenditure, I want clear answers: What problem are we solving? What alternatives were considered? What is the full life-cycle cost? Who is responsible for delivering the promised result? My goal is not simply to spend less. It is to spend wisely, plan ahead, and ensure every significant investment produces a clear public benefit.
Responsible Management of County Assets
Brazos County manages roads, buildings, equipment, land, contracts, infrastructure, and other public assets. I will consider maintenance, useful life, replacement needs, and long-term operating costs, not only the purchase price. We should maintain what taxpayers already own, use existing assets effectively, and avoid preventable costs caused by deferred planning.
Accessibility and Representation
Representation should not end when the courthouse closes. Once elected, I will make myself available outside traditional business hours when Precinct 4 or Brazos County residents have questions or concerns. I will return messages as promptly as possible, listen respectfully even when we disagree, and explain honestly what county government can and cannot do. Residents deserve a seat at the table before major decisions are made, not after.
Transparency and Accountability
I will communicate in plain language, explain my votes, and report back on major projects and expenditures. If I support a decision, I should be prepared to explain why, identify the result taxpayers should expect, and follow up on whether that result was delivered.
How I Use Campaign Contributions
Your contributions help me reach voters through direct mail, push cards, campaign signs, digital outreach, community events, and other voter-education materials. I will report contributions and expenditures as required by law and treat campaign resources with the same care I expect from county government.
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From the Campaign Trail
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