EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) -- The El Paso Central Business Association (CBA) hosted its September luncheon with seven out of eight mayoral candidates for the City of El Paso on Wednesday, Sept. 25 at the El Paso Convention Center.  Candidates for El Paso Mayor include three sitting El Paso City Representatives including District 1 Brian Kennedy, District 3 Cassandra Hernandez and District 5 Isabel Salcido. Also in the race are businessman Renard Johnson, Army retiree Steven Winters, magazine owner Elizabeth Cordova, entrepreneur Marco Contreras and Ben Mendoza.  Mendoza was the only candidate not present at the forum.  Candidates were asked five questions that they were told ahead of time. They were given one minute each to answer.  Those questions were on:  Economic development  Public safety  Infrastructure  Affordable housing  Environmental sustainability  Attendees at the luncheon said they appreciated the opportunity to hear more from the candidates.  “I looked into them briefly on their websites and what they said, but this forum was a really good way to know more specifically, what policies and ideas they want to contribute,” El Pasoan Manuel Guzman said.  With so many candidates on November’s ballot, Guzman said he’s interests lie in a transparent leader.  “I just want someone who cares about the residents of this city. More like, you know, combating misinformation. Who is transparent to the residents and how their taxes and their resources are being used for and to look for long term solutions to towards the prosperity of the city, because the city has a lot of potential,” he said.  Another El Pasoan present said she hopes the next mayor will have good judgment on how to propel the city economically forward.  “I think it's important that they understand finances. I think that it's important that they have their eye on a good vision for economic development for our community. We got so much talent here, such a great workforce here and I think really looking to build better jobs for people here is something that they need to support as a region,” said Cherly Mele.  Should this race go into a run-off that election will be on Dec. 14.  The last day for Texans to register to vote is Oct. 7. Early voting begins Oct. 21 with Election Day on Nov. 5.