Listen. Learn the Facts. Lead with Respect.

South Padre Island is the community I love, the future I believe in, and the place I am committed to serving.
I am running for City Council because I believe our Island deserves thoughtful leadership, honest communication, and decisions that protect both our quality of life and our future.
I will listen carefully, ask the difficult questions, and always work to ensure that residents have a meaningful voice in the decisions that affect our community.
I would be honored to earn your trust and your vote.

Bringing People Together

South Padre Island does not need more division. It needs leaders who can listen to different viewpoints, negotiate in good faith, and help people find workable common ground.
Those are skills I have used throughout my career, and they are the skills I will bring to the City Council. We will not agree on every issue, but we can disagree respectfully, communicate honestly and keep the focus on solutions that move our Island forward.

I began my real estate career as an investor and developer in Roatán, Honduras, where I lived for six and a half years. In 2000, I moved to South Padre Island, earned my Texas real estate license, and have been proud to call this community home ever since.
Over the years, I have built a successful career serving clients throughout the Laguna Madre area. I have been honored with the RE/MAX Lifetime Achievement Award, induction into the RE/MAX Hall of Fame, the Titan Team Award, multiple Diamond Team, Chairman’s Team, and Platinum Awards, and invitations to the RE/MAX Elite Retreat. I have also been recognized numerous times among the RE/MAX of Texas Top 500 and hold professional certifications and designations in both residential and commercial real estate.
My professional experience has taught me to listen carefully, negotiate fairly, mediate when necessary, adapt to constantly changing contracts and market conditions, understand development, and help people make important real estate decisions with confidence. Those same skills have guided my community service, and they are the skills I will bring to the City Council.
I currently serve as Vice President of the South Padre Island Economic Development Corporation. I have also served on the South Padre Island Board of Realtors, including two terms as president, as well as several other community and professional boards. In 2013, I was honored to be named Realtor of the Year.
I am running for South Padre Island City Council, Place 1, because I believe our community needs thoughtful leadership, honest communication, and a Council that can work together. I will listen to residents, study the facts, ask difficult questions, and work to find practical solutions that protect the future of our Island.
My family is one of the greatest joys of my life. I am the proud mother of two sons, grandmother of four, and great-grandmother of eight. I also enjoy fishing, flying, snorkeling, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. I was proud to be featured in the first South Padre Island episode of HGTV’s Beachfront Bargain Hunt and later on HGTV’s Island Life. Both were experiences I thoroughly enjoyed.
South Padre Island has given me so much. I would be honored to give back by serving the people of this community.----
Gayle Hood is a candidate for South Padre Island City Council, Place 1, in the October 3, 2026 special election.

Protecting the Balance That Makes Our Island Work

Tourism is the foundation and primary industry of South Padre Island’s economy. Our responsibility is to maintain the right balance: protecting the peaceful community our residents value while welcoming the visitors whose spending supports local businesses, beach nourishment, infrastructure, public safety, and essential city services.

We do not have to choose between residents and visitors. With thoughtful planning and responsible leadership, we can protect our quality of life while sustaining the economy that makes it possible.

Responsible Growth
Support development that strengthens the local economy while protecting South Padre Island’s character, environment, and quality of life.
Fiscal Responsibility
Demand transparency, careful oversight, and clear justification for major public expenditures.
Strong Resident Services
Keep the City focused on public safety, infrastructure, drainage, mobility, beach access, and the everyday needs of residents.

Protecting Our Coast
Support responsible shoreline management, coastal resilience, environmental stewardship, and long-term protection of the Island.
Open and Accountable Government
Make City decisions easier for residents to understand and ensure the public has a meaningful opportunity to be heard.
A Strong Local Economy
Support tourism, small businesses, property owners, workers, and responsible investments that create lasting value for South Padre Island.

Why am I running?

South Padre Island faces important decisions that will shape our community for many years.
Growth, infrastructure, tourism, public spending, coastal protection, housing, and public safety all require careful planning and responsible leadership.
I am running because I believe residents deserve a Council member who will listen, study every issue, ask tough questions, and make decisions based on what is best for the entire Island—not just the loudest voices in the room.

What matters most to you?

South Padre Island’s best ideas often come directly from the people who live, work, own property, and operate businesses here.

Convention and Tourism Investments

Ensure tourism and convention investments are supported by measurable benefits, responsible financial planning, and transparent oversight.

Short-Term Rentals and Neighborhood Quality

Balance the importance of vacation rentals with responsible enforcement, public safety, noise control, and respect for permanent residents.

Beach Access and Parking

Protect convenient public beach access and pursue practical parking solutions for residents and visitors.

Drainage and Flood Resilience

Continue improving drainage, storm preparation, and infrastructure that protects homes, businesses, and public property.

Traffic and Island Mobility

Address congestion during peak periods and support long-term transportation planning, including continued work toward improved Island access.

Workforce and Employee Needs

Recognize that the Island’s businesses and public services depend on workers who need reliable transportation and attainable housing options.

Shoreline Protection

Protect beaches, dunes, wildlife, and the natural resources that support both the Island’s identity and economy.

Experience in Action: The SPI Marine Park

As South Padre Island has grown, offshore fishing and tournaments have expanded rapidly. Our region benefits from the RGV Reef project—an offshore reef area larger than the populated area of South Padre Island—as well as newer Fish Aggregating Devices, known as FADs, that have helped expand offshore fishing and tournament activity.

However, deep-water boats still do not have adequate docking facilities on the Island. When we cannot accommodate them, we lose potential tourism spending, tournament activity, and opportunities for boats that could remain here throughout the year.

As Vice President of the South Padre Island Economic Development Corporation, I have been helping spearhead the SPI Marine Park project—an initiative designed to provide the Island with a deep-water marina and strengthen our marine economy.
Required surveys and technical studies are nearing completion, and the project team expects to submit its permit application to the appropriate regulatory agencies in August 2026.
This experience has reinforced my belief that important projects require persistence, strong partnerships, careful planning, and a clear understanding of the regulatory process.

A Transparency Commitment

Gayle’s Commitment to Open Government

Gayle believes residents should not have to work hard to understand what their city government is doing.
She will support:

● Clear explanations of major expenditures and contracts● Accessible financial and performance information● Meaningful public participation before major decisions● Timely communication with residents● Strong ethics, disclosure, and accountability standards● Respectful meetings where different opinions can be heard

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