2019 Dallas mayoral election explained

On May 4, 2019, the city of Dallas, Texas, held an election to choose the next Mayor of Dallas. The election began as a nonpartisan blanket primary, no candidate took a majority of over 50% of the total vote so the two top vote-earners Eric Johnson and Scott Griggs advanced to a runoff election on June 8. Incumbent mayor Mike Rawlings was unable to run for reelection due to term limits.^[1] Dallas also concurrently elected all 14 members of its city council, and 3 of the 9 total members of the Dallas Independent School District. Johnson won the runoff with 55.61%.^[2]

Candidates

Thirteen candidates declared campaigns for Dallas Mayor ahead of the filing deadline. One dropped out voluntary, while three failed to qualify, which left nine candidates for the May ballot.^[3]

Qualified candidates

• Mike Ablon, real estate developer^[4]
• Albert Black, chair of the Dallas Housing Authority^[5]
• Scott Griggs, Dallas City Councilmember, District 1^[6]
• Eric Johnson, member of the Texas House of Representatives^[7]
• Alyson Kennedy, activist, Socialist Workers Party member, 2016 presidential candidate^{[8] [9]}
• Lynn McBee, philanthropist^[10]
• Regina Montoya, attorney, former aide during the Presidency of Bill Clinton, and Democratic nominee for Texas's 5th congressional district in 2000^[11]
• Miguel Solis, Dallas Independent School District Trustee, District 8^[12]
• Jason Villalba, former member of the Texas House of Representatives^[13]

Did not qualify

• Heriberto Ortiz
• Miguel Patino, resident of Oak Cliff^[14]
• Stephen S. Smith

Dropped out of race

• Larry Casto, former Dallas City Attorney^[15] endorsed Mike Ablon^[16]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Kalthoff . Ken . First Candidate Launches 2019 Race for Dallas Mayor - NBC 5 Dallas–Fort Worth . Nbcdfw.com . July 20, 2018 . December 4, 2018.
2. Web site: Eric Johnson Is Dallas' New Mayor.
3. Web site: electCandidates_May2019.
4. Web site: Clark . Caitlin . Real Estate Developer Mike Ablon Files To Run for Mayor . D Magazine . November 21, 2018 . December 4, 2018.
5. Web site: Businessman Albert Black launches campaign to succeed Mike Rawlings as Dallas mayor | Dallas City Hall . Dallas News . July 18, 2018 . December 4, 2018.
6. Web site: Kalthoff . Ken . Dallas City Councilman Scott Griggs is 7th Candidate to Run for Mayor - NBC 5 Dallas–Fort Worth . Nbcdfw.com . January 10, 2019 . January 16, 2019.
7. Web site: Jeffers. Gromer . Texas Rep. Eric Johnson makes surprise announcement: he's running for Dallas mayor. Dallas News. January 22, 2019. January 22, 2019.
8. Web site: A 2016 presidential candidate is running for Dallas mayor. January 14, 2019. Dallas News. en. January 16, 2019.
9. Web site: Socialist Workers Party's 2016 presidential candidate running for Dallas mayor: report. Lieu. Amy. January 15, 2019. Fox News. en-US. January 16, 2019.
10. Web site: High-profile philanthropist Lynn McBee says she wants to be Dallas' next mayor | Dallas City Council . December 8, 2018 . Dallas News . January 16, 2019.
11. Web site: Former Clinton aide Regina Montoya joins Dallas mayoral race | Dallas City Hall . Dallas News . November 28, 2018 . December 4, 2018.
12. Web site: Stephen Young . Dallas Mayor's Race: Miguel Solis Announces Candidacy . Dallas Observer . January 7, 2019 . January 16, 2019.
13. Web site: Stephen Young . Dallas State Rep. Jason Villalba Is Running for Mayor . Dallas Observer . June 24, 2008 . January 16, 2019.
14. Web site: New Fundraising Reports Released In Crowded Dallas Mayoral Race. 2019-01-17. CBS Dallas / Fort Worth. 2019-01-20.
15. Web site: Why former Dallas City Attorney Larry Casto says he will run for mayor | Dallas City Council. November 27, 2018. Dallas News. December 4, 2018.
16. Web site: Larry Casto Drops Out of Dallas Mayor Race. Kalthoff. Ken. NBC 5 Dallas–Fort Worth. en. 2019-01-20.