Meet Fabian Velazquez, candidate for Warner Robins Mayor

The next election for mayor of Warner Robins is scheduled for November 4, 2025.

MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Fabian Velazquez is running for mayor of Warner Robins, a position currently held by Mayor LaRhonda Patrick.

The next election for mayor of Warner Robins is scheduled for November 4, 2025. The qualifying period for candidates begins at 8:30 a.m. on August 18 and ends at 4:30 p.m. on August 22. Qualifying will take place at Warner Robins City Hall, located at 700 Watson Blvd. ​

41NBC’s Monica Diaz-Meek spoke with Fabian Velazquez ahead of the November 4 election.

MONICA- Welcome back. Today we have Fabian Velazquez joining us today. Thank you for being here today.

FABIAN- Of course. Thank you for having me.

MONICA- I am so excited, you have announced that you’re running for Mayor of Warner Robins. How did you decide to run for mayor? Why did you decide to do that?

FABIAN- Well, I grew up in the city. I love it. And I think the future is turbulent. And so I want to make sure that the city goes right, in the right direction.

MONICA- Alright. And so you’re running for mayor, what are your platforms? What do you want people to know about you?

FABIAN- Well, there’s three main things that I’m worried about. The first is crime. It’s a growing issue, especially with youth. And the second issue would be the downtown or the really the north side revitalization. And the third would be the housing crisis that we’re going through.

MONICA- Alright. And so I want to expand on all of those, starting off with crime. What are you noticing? You’re from Warner Robins, born, raised, that’s your area. What have you noticed in terms of crime?

FABIAN- Specifically, it’s on the rise, especially with the youth. So we’re noticing a lot of kids with high capacity weapons, extendos, those things like that, glocks. And they’re as young as 13, 14. Recently we’re having execution style murders in some places, and it’s something that will harm the family friendly vision of Warner Robins.

MONICA- And when we’re talking about you want to revitalize, we’re talking about the north side of Warner Robins. What do you envision if you were elected mayor?

FABIAN-  I think that our scope is a little too narrow. We need to focus on more than just the downtown. I think a walkable northside would be perfect, something that lets people live close to where they work or work close to where they live. And the way we do that is by really allowing the different types of zoning, such as mixed use zoning throughout the entire part of Northside.

MONICA- Alright. And so what is your emphasis? Where do you see the downtown portion of that fitting in if you are elected mayor?

FABIAN- Well, the downtown area, I think it’s a historic part. I’d like to see it stay there. But we need to really focus on developing the areas around it and then letting it develop naturally. We can’t just throw money at the problem and expect it to solve things.

MONICA- Alright. And then your third point, let’s talk about that. What do you want people to know?

FABIAN- Well, with housing, it’s getting really expensive. We’re noticing prices increasing rapidly and especially in these neighborhoods where you wouldn’t normally expect it. What we need allow is more development and allow for an increase in the stock of housing. We can do that by also switching up the zoning regulations and building codes, things like parking minimums and minimum setbacks really hold back and make it impossible for development to happen with ordinary people.

MONICA- Alright. So those are your three platforms there. Now, what makes you different than your opponent? Why should people be voting for you and give you that vote?

FABIAN- Well, there’s other than me being younger and being just looking different. I am a, I have business experience and this is something that she doesn’t really bring to the table. I am looking for a sort of a plan other than a lot of social action. I’m looking for policy changes and I’m looking for something that can be put down on paper, something that can continue longer.

MONICA- Alright. So you said you had a background in this. What is your background? What is your experience that makes you qualified to be a mayoral candidate?

FABIAN- Right. So I started off here in Warner Robins as a barber right after high school, and then right after barbering, I’ve developed a landscaping company which I service 130 properties, and I have three employees.

MONICA- Alright. And so lastly, what do you want to tell people? Why should they vote for you?

FABIAN- Vote for me if you’re looking for a change, specifically a brighter future, there’s I’m looking for something tangible and not just promises about social changes. I’m looking for policy.

Following the interview with Warner Robins Mayoral Candidate Fabian Velazquez, 41NBC followed up with the Chief of the Warner Robins Police Department Wayne Fisher.

“We’ve had a lot of proactive involvement from our officers due to increased staffing,” says Chief Fisher.

Fisher said that there were 13 homicides in 2022, 7 homicides in 2023, 6 homicides in 2024. Chief Fisher added that crime has declined 13.7% overall in Warner Robins when comparing 2024 to 2022.

As for youth crime (ages 12-17), there were 268 incidents in 2023 and 268 in 2024. Fisher emphasizes that youth crime has seen a reduction.

When asked if the Warner Robins Police Department had seen execution style murders like Velazquez mentioned, Chief Fisher said “The answer is there is no evidence to support that statement.”