Dallas
The environmental majority on the Dallas City Council was at stake on May 4 when Dallas voters went to the polls in the first of two pivotal elections which would decide the make up of the next city council. The Dallas Sierra Club was engaged in the campaigns of several environmental champions who were up for election. The Sierra Club Texas PAC made endorsements in 12 races, including the open seat for mayor. The Dallas Group hosted a PAC fundraiser on April 22 which provided an opportunity for many local Sierrans and other activists to meet many of the candidates.
Nine candidates filed to run for Dallas mayor in the largest, most diverse field in years. Sierra Club endorsed Scott Griggs, an environmental champion and termed-out council member from District 1, who successfully made the runoff set for June 8!
Fifty-four other candidates filed to run in 14 single-member city council districts. Two of our endorsed city council incumbents, Adam Medrano in District 2 and Omar Narvaez in District 6, won their races outright. Chad West, our endorsed candidate to replace Scott Griggs in District 1, also won his race. Although our choice for District 5 didn’t make it to a runoff, another progressive candidate, Jamie Resendez, won that seat. Four other endorsees for council made runoffs: incumbent Councilmember Carolyn Arnold in District 4, Adam Bazaldua in District 7, Erin Moore in District 9, and incumbent Councilmember Philip Kingston in District 14, all of whom will be working hard, along with mayoral candidate Scott Griggs, to get elected on June 8.
The results on May 4 put our endorsed candidates in position to maintain an environmental majority on the council in the runoff election. Early voting runs from May 28 – June 4. For early voting and election day locations, go to dallascountyvotes.org.
-David Griggs
San Antonio
On Saturday May 4, 110,000 voters (11%) turned out for municipal San Antonio elections. Sierra Club endorsed candidates prevailed in two council districts, 7 and 9, with Ana Sandoval winning 68% and almost 8500 of district votes, and John Courage in 9 winning almost 54% and almost 9500 district votes. Our endorsed candidates in districts 4 and 6, Adriana Rocha Garcia and Melissa Cabello Havrda, came in first in their races, but fell below 50% (47% each) and so will be in run off elections to be held June 8. Our endorsement in district 10, Elise Kibler, came in third.
There were 9 Mayoral candidates. Our endorsed candidate was incumbent Ron Nirenberg, who came in first with almost 49% and almost 50,000 votes. He will be in a run off on June 8 also.
Early voting runs from May 28 – June 4. For early voting and election day locations, visit the Bexar County Elections Department.
-Terry Burns
Greater Fort Worth
In Fort Worth, two of our endorsed candidates won their races. Gina Bivens in District 5 won with 65% of the vote, beating out the next challenger who garnered 17% of the vote in a field of five candidates. Councilmember Ann Zadeh won in District 9 as she ran unopposed.
Congratulations to all the winners and best of luck to the candidates who made the runoffs.
Photo credits: Dallas - Drumguy8800; San Antonio - Alex Donaldson; Fort Worth - Don Beene (CC BY-SA 3.0)