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Here's The Final List Of The 9 Candidates For Dallas Mayor

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The lineup is now final: Nine people will compete to become the next mayor of Dallas. So just who are they? Find out here.

As many as 13 people declared themselves candidates at one point. Former city attorney Larry Casto withdrew early on, and three others — Heriberto Ortiz, Miguel Patino and Stephen S. Smith — did not have enough signatures to qualify for the ballot of the May 4 mayoral election.

If none of the nine gets a majority of votes, there will be a runoff in June.

Eric Johnson, Texas State Representative

  

Credit Courtesy
Eric Johnson

  

Why you know him: Represents Dallas District 100 in the Texas House of Representatives since 2010. He is a Dallas native. Johnson serves on four prominent committees: he is Vice Chair of the House Committee on Redistricting, a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means, a member of the House Committee on Investments and Financial Services, and a member of the House Select Committee on State and Federal Power and Responsibility.

What he says: “I believe I offer the citizens of Dallas a unique combination of experience, energy, and creativity when it comes to solving problems, along with a proven track record of working well with people from varying backgrounds in order to accomplish great things. I have represented one of the most diverse House districts in the state for nearly a decade, and I’ve shown that I can bring people together to get the job done for all of our families.”

 

 

Scott Griggs, Dallas City Council member

  

 

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Scott Griggs

  

Why you know him: Griggs has been on the Dallas City Council since 2011, representing Oak Cliff. His term is up this year. On the council, Griggs is vice chair of the Government Performance and Financial Management Committee. He is a member of the Economic Development and Housing Committee and the Quality of Life, Arts and Culture Committee. He previously served as chair of the Housing Committee from 2015 to 2017, during which time he led the city's development of a new, comprehensive housing policy.

What he says: "Dallas needs a new kind of mayor, a mayor we can trust to champion our neighborhoods and our diverse communities and lead us to reclaim Dallas for the people of Dallas."

Source: City of DallasDallas Observer

 

 

Mike Ablon, real estate developer

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Mike Ablon

Why you know him: A fifth-generation Dallasite, he helped reinvigorate the Dallas Design District and recently headed the effort to break the stagnation surrounding development of the Trinity River park.

What he says: He's said his campaign will focus on strengthening neighborhoods through improved infrastructure and transportation, public safety and better coordination of outside efforts in health care and education.

Source: The Dallas Morning News

Albert Black, former chairman of Dallas Housing Authority

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Albert Black

Why you know him: Black was the longtime president and CEO of On Target Supplies & Logistics, a company he founded in 1982 with his wife, Gwyneith. He was the first African-American chairman of the Dallas Regional Chamber and former chairman of the Dallas Housing Authority.

What he says: “I believe we can produce an economy that no matter what neighborhood you’re from, no matter your background or immigration status, we can … include you,” Black said. “It’s going to take a lot of work. That’s the work of our campaign.”

Source: D Magazine

Alyson Kennedy, Socialist party leader

Credit The Salt Lake Tribune
Alyson Kennedy

Why you know her: Kennedy was a 2016 presidential candidate for the Socialist Workers Party, appearing on ballots in seven states. She has been involved with Socialist causes for four decades, including trade union organizing in Utah.

What she says: A mayoral run is a good way to “reach as many people as we can with our message,” she told The Dallas Morning News.

Source: The Dallas Morning News

Lynn McBee, nonprofit CEO

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Lynn McBee

Why you know her: McBee is CEO of the Young Women’s Preparatory Network and former biochemist researcher who is known for her fundraising acumen for the city’s nonprofits. She has served as board chair for organizations ranging from the Dallas International Film Festival to the Family Place Foundation, which supports victims of domestic violence. She currently is the board chair of The Bridge homeless shelter and is a member of more than a dozen other boards throughout the city.

What she says: “As a CEO of an education organization, and with more than 25 years as a servant leader in Dallas, I’ve gained the perspective and experience to forge the coalitions and partnerships we need to solve our city’s greatest challenges," McBee wrote on her campaign website.

Source: D Magazine; McBee campaign website

Regina Montoya, attorney

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Regina Montoya

Why you know her: Montoya, an attorney, once served in the Clinton administration. She's also been Children’s Medical Center’s senior vice president and general counsel, as well as vice chair of the DFW International Airport board. She chaired Mayor Mike Rawlings' poverty task force, which recommended the formation of the nonprofit Child Poverty Action Lab late last year.

What she says: “I am literally running for Dallas mayor to focus on our best resource: our people,” she said in an interview with D Magazine. “I want to have a city that empowers its citizens through transportation and education and make sure there are real economic opportunities in all of our communities that make them vibrant and safe.”

Source: D Magazine and Montoya for Mayor

Miguel Solis, school trustee

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Miguel Solis

Why you know him: Solis is the youngest trustee of the Dallas school district. He got his start in Dallas as part of the Teach for America program and eventually ran for a spot on the Dallas ISD board. Solis made multiple appearances in support of U.S. Senate candidate Beto O'Rourke and other Democratic candidates during the 2018 midterm elections He co-wrote with his wife a children's book about his infant daughter Olivia's heart transplant.

What he says: "I’ve heard from hundreds of people in Dallas that the old ways of doing things won’t work anymore," Solis wrote on Twitter. "They’re right. It’s time for a new leader with new ideas who will work to create paths to prosperity for all. That’s why I am running for mayor - to transform our city, together."

Source: Dallas Observer, Dallas Independent School District; Solis' Twitter page

Jason Villalba, former Texas State Representative

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Jason Villalba

Why you know him: Jason Villalba is Dallas native and attorney with the firm Gardere Wynne Sewell LLP. He is a Republican and former member of the Texas House of Representatives for District 114 in Dallas County. In 2013, he was the only Hispanic Republican freshman member of the Texas House.

What he says: "I believe that Dallas’ brightest days are ahead of us, not behind us. We must do more for those in our community who have not been able to fully participate in Dallas’ tremendous success."

Source: Twitter

Learn more

Learn more about the election from the city of Dallas.

Correction: An earlier version of this story incorrectly identified Regina Montoya as a former aide to Hillary Clinton. Montoya once served in President Bill Clinton's administration.