By Karen Gavis/se news editor

A SE Campus government instructor has filed to run for a single-member Arlington city council seat in the city’s May 12 election.

Darrell Castillo initially announced his election bid to a group of supporters at the Cliff Nelson Recreation Center in Arlington at an event organized by SE student Jerrica Davis.

Castillo said he believes his experience as a dual-credit instructor at Mansfield and Martin high schools provide him oversight into the overlaps within the district, and he plans to take his “grassroots campaign” to the streets.

“Students are coming out of the woodwork,” he said. “We are going to wear out some shoe leather.”

Castillo, who was a White House staff member during the Reagan administration, said politics is about who gets what and how much, and believes Arlington needs some pro-business and pro-business development people on the council.

Castillo said he offers a new vision and plans to address issues like trash and road repair. He did not say he would solve all problems, but he would be a team member.

“All I understand is straight talking,” he said. “And I’ll tell it like it is.”

According to the city of Arlington website, incumbent Sheri Capehart was elected in 2004 to represent District 2, bounded by Interstate 20 to the north and Matlock Road to the east.

Capehart said she will campaign as usual.

“I will get out and advocate for the people and for the district,” she said.

SE student Yoninah Yancey said not many professors inspire and engage students the way Castillo does, and she commends what he is doing. Yancey plans to be part of Castillo’s campaign and knock on doors.

SE student Brianna Bruce said: “He [Castillo] is a great professor that actually cares whether we learn anything or not.”

Former congressional aide Craig Ownby serves as Castillo’s consultant. Ownby said a campaign is about knowing one’s opponent, and if Castillo can collect 1,400 votes, he may win the district.

“It’s a numbers game,” he said. “Everything is a numbers game.”