By David Griggs, Chapter Political Chair
There is good news to report on the political front in Texas. The municipal elections across the state earlier this summer produced major wins in several cities that could have positive impacts on environmental and social justice policies at the local level. Over 90% of Sierra Club-endorsed candidates in both the May 1 general and the June 5 runoff elections were victorious. Here is a city-by-city review of the results:
Dallas
In Dallas, all 14 of the single-member council seats were up for election, but not that of the mayor. Eight of those council members were reliable environmental votes, which provided only a slim progressive majority. Therefore, the environmental direction of the council was at risk.
The Dallas Group sent membership endorsement cards to local Sierrans in both the general and runoff elections. For the runoff, the Group hosted a Zoom PAC fundraiser for the Sierra Club Political Committee of Texas to raise enough money to contribute to the campaigns of each of the endorsed candidates. Young Sierrans in Dallas also volunteered for some of the campaigns and helped with canvassing.
The results were quite positive. Five of our endorsed incumbent candidates won on May 1, and every endorsed candidate won in the runoff. In all, seven champion incumbent council members were re-elected. In three open seats, our progressive endorsees won in every race; and in District 14, our candidate upset the incumbent, increasing the progressive majority from 8 to 11, resulting in the strongest progressive tilt on the Dallas City Council in recent memory.
San Antonio
The Alamo Group also saw success in local city council elections. The slightly positive tilt of the San Antonio City Council was also in jeopardy. In the May 1 election, Sierra Club-endorsed Mayor Ron Nirenberg won re-election, along with three endorsed council candidates. In the June 5 runoff election, the Alamo Group sent a member endorsement card to local Sierrans announcing the remaining five endorsed council races.
The results in San Antonio were likewise impressive. Just as in Dallas, all of the San Antonio runoff candidates won. In two of the races, Sierra Club candidates defeated lack-luster incumbents. In two more, our candidates won open seats. We also saw a champion incumbent win re-election in the runoff. The progressive tilt on the San Antonio City Council also increased. Local members believe the next council will be the most environmentally-friendly in years.
Fort Worth
For the first time, the Greater Fort Worth Group got involved not only in their city council and mayoral races, but also in the Tarrant County Water District, Fort Worth ISD and Tarrant County Water District elections. There were important issues that impacted the environment in those special district races that made them particularly relevant. The Group also recommended an endorsement in a suburban city’s mayoral race.
Even though the mayoral endorsees in Fort Worth and Southlake did not win, three of the four city council candidates did, three of four community college candidates won, and one of the endorsed local school board candidates was successful.
The Greater Fort Worth Group sent an endorsement mailer to local Sierrans and engaged in social media outreach. The Group was particularly proud of the win of District 6 progressive and minority candidate Dr. Jared Williams who defeated a 20-year council incumbent. Fort Worth Sierrans hosted an outdoor coffee event for Dr. Williams, a PhD in environmental science who works in the field. All efforts made a difference, and there will now be a true environmental voice on the Fort Worth City Council.
Denton
For the first time, Sierra Club made endorsements in the Denton City Council race this year. It was important to be involved in these races because Denton has been at a major crossroads in recent years, and in recent elections, candidates who supported Sierra Club positions (but were not formally endorsed) lost closely-contested races. Over the past several years, Denton leadership faced tough decisions, deliberating between transitioning off of coal and fracked gas power or further investing in harmful fossil fuel infrastructure. Ultimately, thanks in part to Sierra Club organizing, Denton decided to make enormous investments in clean energy to benefit its residents and make this smaller north Texas city a leader in the state.
The results in Denton were also exciting. There were four council seats up. With one seat going uncontested, Sierra Club endorsed candidates in the remaining three races, and all three of our endorsed candidates won. This will give Denton residents a chance to advance meaningful community-focused policies that protect the local environment, public health, and social justice for the first time in years.