League City Mayor Nick Long, who is seeking a second term, says managing the city's last major phase of growth while keeping it affordable is driving his campaign.
Long was first elected to the City Council in 2014 for Position 7. He served as mayor pro tem before winning the mayor's race unopposed in 2022, according to the Houston Chronicle. He now faces his first contested mayoral election against Council Member Tom Crews on Nov. 3.
"My wife and I grew up in League City and chose to raise our family here," Long said in response to a Surround Sound News questionnaire. He said the city had about 30,000 people when he grew up, but its small-town charm remains. "As we enter our last great phase of growth I will help the City navigate the challenges that come with growth and remain an affordable, nice place to raise a family."
Candidate information
- Office sought: League City Mayor
- Election date: Nov. 3, 2026 (nonpartisan race)
- Party affiliation: Republican. Long said he is endorsed by the Republican Party of Texas, Galveston County GOP, Harris County GOP, Gulf Coast Young Republicans and Republican Mayors of America.
- Education: A bachelor's degree in business administration and an MBA from the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business
- Family: Married to Kari Long. They have two children, Sterling and Walker, who attend Clear Creek High School and League City Intermediate. The family attends Bay Harbour United Methodist Church.
- Hometown: League City. Long is a Clear Creek High School graduate.
Experience and public service
Long said he has served two terms on the League City City Council and one term as mayor.
In the private sector, Long said he co-founded a benefits consulting firm that grew to become one of the largest of its kind in Texas. He also co-founded a real estate investment firm concentrated on Galveston County and South Texas in 2013, serving as managing director. He said the firm has grown to cover eight states and 45 employees.
Long also listed experience as area vice president and regional director of the public sector at Gallagher.
On the issues
Growth and infrastructure: Long said strong population growth brings challenges including drainage, traffic and infrastructure. He said he would manage growth by investing in the right infrastructure and holding projects accountable to timelines and budgets.
Taxes: Long said he has passed tax cuts for 12 straight years while increasing funding for public safety and infrastructure. He credited a policy of making developers pay their own way for enabling tax reductions and supporting critical infrastructure. On his campaign website, Long pledged to put the "Taxpayer First" and to continue cutting property tax rates every year.
Public safety: Long credited adding police officers, investing in the fire department and adding EMS crews and ambulances with keeping League City one of the safest cities in Texas. He pledged continued financial and moral support for police, fire and EMS.
Differences with opponent: Crews is a small-business owner and certified public accountant who holds the council's Position 3 seat, according to Community Impact. Long said he is endorsed by every other elected leader in League City and Galveston County. He said Crews "has been on Council for four years but has never passed a single thing." Long alleged his opponent repeatedly failed to support law enforcement, threatened to disband the volunteer fire department and attempted to raise taxes.
Asked for the best advice he has received, Long cited two guiding principles: Dale Carnegie's "Disagree agreeably" and John Quincy Adams' counsel to "Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone."
Early voting runs Oct. 19-30. On Election Day, Nov. 3, polls are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to Community Impact.
