In 1852, the city now known as Corpus Christi was first incorporated, laying the foundation for what would become a key coastal community in South Texas. Over the decades, the city charter evolved—most notably in 1909, when the Texas Legislature chartered Corpus Christi as a formal municipal entity, granting it authority to shape and expand its boundaries. Today, the city operates under a “council-manager” form of government, combining elected leadership with professional administrative oversight.
As of 2025, the leadership of Corpus Christi reflects a stable governance structure:
• The mayor is [Paulette M. Guajardo], re-elected in late 2024 for a third term.
• The members of city council include three at-large members — Roland Barrera, Mark Scott, and Carolyn Vaughn — plus district representatives: Everett Roy (District 1), Sylvia Campos (District 2), Eric Cantu (District 3), Kaylynn Paxson (District 4), and Gil Hernandez (District 5).
• The city’s operations are managed by [Peter Zanoni], who has served as City Manager since April 2019.
Under this leadership, Corpus Christi continues to grow and invest in its future — balancing its historic roots with modern governance.
