El Paso residents of District 1 will hear from Matthew James Kozik, an attorney, Army JAG veteran and longtime community advocate, as he presents his candidacy for City Council. Kozik emphasizes his deep roots in the area, his military service, and his experience running a small law firm that understands the challenges faced by local entrepreneurs.
Professional and Military Background
Kozik grew up near Cleveland, Ohio, in a family shaped by immigration and military service. After earning degrees in political science and African American studies at Ohio State, he attended law school at a historically Black university in Washington, D.C., where he worked in HIV/AIDS and special‑education clinics and on Capitol Hill. He later served in the Army Judge Advocate General Corps, deploying to Afghanistan as Brigade Judge Advocate for the 3rd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, earning a Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge. Subsequent assignments included prosecuting serious crimes at Fort Bliss, advising a four‑star general in Korea on ethics and multimillion‑dollar contracts, and receiving two Meritorious Service medals.
Local Ties and Family Life
While stationed at Fort Bliss, Kozik met his wife, Gloria, who runs a clothing business called Hommework. The couple settled in El Paso, raising two sons, Mateo and Thiago, both EPISD students. Kozik’s family enjoys the region’s outdoor recreation, and he highlights his son’s recent climb of the Franklin Mountains as a testament to the city’s vibrant community life.
Policy Priorities for District 1
Ethics Enforcement – Drawing on his experience as an ethics advisor in Korea, Kozik vows to give the city’s Ethics Commission “real teeth,” ensuring that officials are held accountable for misconduct.
Fiscal Responsibility – Kozik criticizes the recent property‑tax increase that raised the rate from 75.96 to 79.8 cents, costing the average homeowner about $105 a year. He points out that the city holds $33.5 million in reserves above its policy floor and pledges to keep the tax rate steady through FY 2028 while using those reserves to fund essential services.
Growth Funding – He proposes impact fees on developers to make new growth pay its way, eliminating the practice of borrowing from residents for roads, water lines and drainage.
Shared Services – Kozik suggests sharing dispatch, training, crime‑lab and fleet resources with El Paso County, a move he estimates could save $4.6 to $9 million annually without reducing police staffing.
Corporate Incentives – He calls for stricter oversight of large incentives, citing the $550 million tax break given to Meta that guarantees only 50 full‑time jobs at the area median wage. Kozik plans to demand proof of hiring minority‑owned contractors, enforce wage floors, require water‑impact fees, and make all compliance data public.
Data‑Center Opposition – Kozik will oppose further data‑center development, arguing that such facilities drain water and power while creating few permanent jobs, leaving ratepayers to foot the infrastructure bill.
Deck Plaza Project – He opposes the current Deck Plaza plan unless the federal or state government assumes full cost‑plus construction and maintenance, insisting that taxpayers should not bear the burden.
Commitment to Transparency
Kozik promises to continue the transparency practices he has used throughout his campaign: publishing ten detailed plans with sourced numbers, legal authority citations and trade‑off analyses in both English and Spanish, and promptly correcting any errors.
Community Involvement
Beyond his professional work, Kozik provides immigration and criminal legal representation to residents, pays all employees a living wage with paid sick and family leave, and remains active in local civic affairs. He positions his candidacy as a blend of disciplined service, legal expertise and a genuine commitment to the families of District 1.
Voters seeking a candidate who combines military honor, legal acumen and a pro‑family, fiscally responsible agenda are encouraged to learn more about Kozik’s platform and attend upcoming town‑hall events.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
