Southern Dallas voters are poised to decide on a generational change in representation over the next few weeks, with early voting starting Tuesday for the City Council seat in District 8.
Two candidates are facing off in the June 7 runoff to replace Tennell Atkins, who has represented the southernmost district for 16 of the past 18 years.
In the May election, former City Council member Erik Wilson and former City Plan Commission member Lorie Blair emerged from a crowded pool of candidates. Each ended the night with about 40% of the vote, according to unofficial totals.
Wilson held a narrow lead with about 70 votes separating the candidates. Fewer than 2,700 votes were cast among several candidates in the district’s election, totals show.
When no candidate gets more than 50% of the votes, the top two head to a runoff. The race for District 11 in North Dallas is also headed to a runoff.
Here’s what to know about the transition and the candidates hoping to represent District 8.
Red Bird, Kleberg-Rylie, Highland Hills
District 8 spans several miles from west to east with diverse neighborhoods — including Red Bird, Kleberg-Rylie and Highland Hills — and the new representative will help shape how the area develops.
The sprawling area is home to Paul Quinn College, which plans to expand its footprint, along with the Inland Port and agricultural land.
The district, near unincorporated parts of southern Dallas County, is also where the city planned a new Dallas police academy, which has faced scrutiny as plans to build the facility at the University of North Texas at Dallas shifted.
Both candidates have discussed their vision for needed infrastructure and development that benefits residents.
Some residents have expressed a desire for a grocery store and highlighted a need to address access to healthy food in southern Dallas. Last year, Tom Thumb scrapped its plans to open a store at the Shops at RedBird, even with city tax incentives.
Leading into the May election, a new political action committee called Revitalize Dallas sent out mailers in of Wilson, among candidates in other races. The effort was funded by short-term homestay platform Airbnb, which contributed $500,000 toward the effort, campaign finance filings show.
“I told them that I don’t agree with Airbnb being in established neighborhoods next to people’s grandmothers and causing problems,” Wilson said. “I believe that they should be at hotel- and motel-zoned areas, and that if they are, then there needs to be a regulation much like we have for our rental properties.”
Wilson said he was not working with the PAC, but like with other organizations, answered questions from it and was interviewed.
The donations raised speculation about whether candidates would the rentals amid an ongoing fight between the city and short-term rental operators, of which Airbnb has much at stake. The city has reignited a legal fight it lost earlier this year against ordinances that all but banned short-term rentals in single-family neighborhoods.
The rental issue is just one of several the candidates are expected to face if elected. They will arrive in time to begin work on the city’s budget in what’s expected to be a difficult year.
Tennell Atkins departing
Atkins’ departure marks a major milestone, with his tenure spanning nearly two decades.
He was first elected in 2007 and served eight years — four two-year — before facing his first term limit. He left the council in 2015 and was then reelected in 2017.
City rules previously allowed City Council who’d reached their term limits to run again after sitting out at least one election cycle. A city charter amendment ed by voters in November eliminated this reset to term limits.
In Atkins’ last term, he helped shepherd the City Council through a $4 billion shortfall in the employee pension systems and hiring a new city manager. Atkins also led the influential economic development committee. As the mayor pro tem, he represented the city in the Texas Legislature and in board meetings when Mayor Eric Johnson couldn’t make it.
Atkins endorsed Blair as his replacement.
Who is Lorie Blair?
Blair, the former District 8 plan commissioner, has campaigned on continuing Atkins’ focus on economic development.
She points to her experience in zoning and land use, promising to preserve neighborhood integrity, attract jobs and fight environmental injustice.
“I’m for the community,” Blair said. “I’m for development. I’m for public safety. I’m for environmental justice. In a few words, that’s what I’m for.”
Blair cited her role while on the plan commission in pushing to stop incompatible industrial developments in areas like Floral Farms and updating the area’s land-use plans. Blair said she voted to keep single-family residences as opposed to short-term rentals.
Asked about how city leaders could address a desired new grocery store in the district, Blair said more development is needed, “the right type of growth in order to bring the grocery stores that we are looking for within our community.”
Blair said the area benefits from development, as it needs more employment opportunities and higher-paying jobs. Development could also attract more residents with improved financial status, she said.
“One thing, the area has to be developed,” she said. “We cannot consistently be given development that does not give us new opportunities.”
Blair has seen a bevy of endorsements and entered the race with over $63,000 in campaign funds, more than other candidates in this year’s election. Still, she trailed Wilson heading into the runoff.
Who is Erik Wilson?
Wilson says he wants to “keep the momentum going” after serving as the council person for District 8 from 2015 to 2017, including as deputy mayor pro tem. Then, Atkins returned after his first term limit to take back the seat in 2017.
“I don’t have to get ready,” Wilson said. “I pretty much would be ready day one. I understand the roles and responsibilities.”
While the municipal election is nonpartisan, Wilson defended his political affiliation and said he was not a Republican when asked about the Revitalize Dallas mailers. Consultants with the PAC have ties to Republican campaigns at the state level.
Wilson said he has to report what he receives, even if he doesn’t accept. Campaign finance records show Revitalize Dallas spent money on mailers and advertising for Wilson’s campaign.
If elected, Wilson said he would be a “thoughtful, independent thinker,” looking to connect the dots and resolve issues. He said he’s looking to provide opportunities. Safety, housing options and seniors are among his issues for the district.
He is campaigning on his vision to foster economic growth. Wilson’s platform includes expanding affordable housing, improving streets and transportation, and ing small businesses through grants and mentorship programs.
There needs to be understanding and balance, he said, between residents and the development community so that they can work together and understand what’s the best option.
Asked about the grocery store that fell through at the RedBird mall, Wilson said it’s time to consider how to elevate local entrepreneurs. That would help fill a need and boost business, he said, adding that the approach is “not the only answer” but the most relevant and impactful.
This reporting is part of the Future of North Texas, a community-funded journalism initiative ed by the Commit Partnership, Communities Foundation of Texas, The Dallas Foundation, the Dallas Mavericks, the Dallas Regional Chamber, Deedie Rose, the McCune-Losinger Family Fund, The Meadows Foundation, the Perot Foundation, the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and the University of Texas at Dallas. The News retains full editorial control of this coverage.