City of Dallas Mayoral Election 2007

[Markedallas]

Anybody ready to talk about change at the top? Want to keep Miller? Who should run? Use this thread to discuss possible contenders?

Anyone on the current council?


Or these folks:
Former council...
Veletta Lill
John Loza
Sandy Greyson
Lois Finkelman

Strong mayor leader:
Beth Ann Blackwood

Or our favorite characters:
D'Angelo Lee, Terrell Bolton


Or check out some possible folks in the article below...
What the heck has Michael Sorrell ever done other than follow Ron Kirk around?



Gromer Jeffers Jr.:
To Miller, '07 challenger resembles one from '02

11:04 AM CDT on Tuesday, October 11, 2005



After Mayor Laura Miller confirmed last week that she will run for re-election in 2007, she agreed that a likely opponent – Dallas businessman Phil Ritter – was nearly a clone of insurance executive Tom Dunning.

Mr. Dunning was the champion of the Dallas establishment in 2002, but he lost his rumble with Ms. Miller during the special election to fill the unexpired term of Ron Kirk.

Mr. Ritter is "a little younger, with less hair," Ms. Miller said in front of her City Hall office. "But the demeanor is the same."

Political analysts say Mr. Dunning was stiff, dry and indecisive on the campaign trail, unable to match Ms. Miller's colorful personality and simple message. Mr. Dunning was also hampered by low name recognition.

When asked whether she was concerned about Mr. Ritter's candidacy, the mayor gave a wry smile, paused and answered, "No."

Mr. Ritter, a senior vice president at Texas Instruments, says he'll start his mayoral campaign next year and touted his leadership abilities as a key reason why he'd be better for the job than Ms. Miller.

Dallas political consultant Carol Reed, who managed Mr. Dunning's campaign, said Mr. Ritter has already distinguished himself from Ms. Miller's other mayoral opponents.

"He needs to approach the campaign as if it's a clean slate and no one else is in the race," she said. "Then he has to develop that fire in the belly to take on any and all comers."

The city's political landscape has changed over the past several months, as the mayor and council members have had to navigate the troubled waters created by the failed strong-mayor referendum in May and the FBI's City Hall corruption inquiry that followed.

"It's still early," Ms. Reed said. "It's far enough out that things could change."

Here's the current landscape:

Off and running: Ms. Miller and Mr. Ritter.

Making strange noises: Terrell Bolton, the former police chief.

Toes in the water: Dallas lawyer and 1995 candidate Darrell Jordan .

Doesn't want to make his move too soon: state Rep. Rafael Anchia.

Most intriguing possibility: Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Elba Garcia.

Other things on his plate: Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill.

Maybe one day, but not 2007: Cowboys great Roger Staubach and Jeanne Johnson Phillips, the former ambassador to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development in Paris.

Maneuvering for position: Dallas lawyer Michael Sorrell and businessman Albert Black.

Would create the race everyone wants to see: Mr. Kirk.

•

[ksig121]

Bring back Ron Kirk!!

[TexasStar]

Laura Miller must go!

She's divisive, has NO leadership skills, and extremely poor judgement. (Has no idea when to hold 'em and when to fold 'em.)
She's become nothing more than a lightning rod for controversy. It just wears everybody down and hurts the city.

In her place, I'd take just about anyone who hasn't been convicted of murder or sex crimes.
(And if comes down to just the two of them, I may have to give the convict the benefit of the doubt.)


http://pages.sbcglobal.net/samclark/dallas/lm_on_the_short_bus.jpg

[AndyIvey]

Rafael Anchia is an interesting possibility... once proposed more corporate involvement in public schools

I always like to throw out Gary Griffith because such an obvious replacement for him on council is Bulldog Cunningham

One rumor has Forsythe-Lill (District 14) running for judge or the ever-popular state house

It's too early for Jan and Bruce Woody... I just needed a republican for the list

[The Great Hizzy!]

How about Mark Cuban?

[drumguy8800]

What's Harriet Miers doin these days?

[AndyIvey]

While I am on the subject of party affiliation in local politics...
Is anyone puzzled by what party your supposedly independent councilmember hails from? Follow the money and the public statements…

Dallas City Secretary Campaign Finance Reports
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/cso/camp-fin/finreports.shtml

I do not know of any local republican groups that openly back candidates except Logcabin Republicans. If anyone knows of any others, please reply.

On the other side, Stonewall Democrats and Dallas County Young Democrats both openly backed candidates in May’s council races.

I am adult enough to know that local elections are anything but independent. The candidates may not be able to publicly affiliate themselves with a party, but that has not stopped the groups mentioned above from throwing their weight behind their favorite. A quick review of a candidate’s campaign finances will further reveal their affiliations.

[trolleygirl]

I like Darrel Jordan- he has city hall experience.

[lizzy]

what about Ray Hunt?

[Markedallas]

Interesting post.

Anchia might be too smart and charming for city hall and why the heck would he want to be mayor!

Griffith is too weak. Bulldog actually lives on Turtle Creek.

Lill says she's not running for judge and she proclaims she is a democrat. Redistricting made it impossible for dems to win any seats that are not majority minority.

The Woody's. I've heard they are crazy.


Rafael Anchia is an interesting possibility... once proposed more corporate involvement in public schools

I always like to throw out Gary Griffith because such an obvious replacement for him on council is Bulldog Cunningham

One rumor has Forsythe-Lill (District 14) running for judge or the ever-popular state house

It's too early for Jan and Bruce Woody... I just needed a republican for the list

[Markedallas]

Many of the party affiliated groups endorse to provide their members a forum to get to know the candidates. Perhaps an opportunity to get more involved in local political efforts as well. They need to do something on the off years, I guess. I think it also happened because the candidates were swinging by their meetings anyway and they decided to endorse.


While I am on the subject of party affiliation in local politics...
Is anyone puzzled by what party your supposedly independent councilmember hails from? Follow the money and the public statements…

Dallas City Secretary Campaign Finance Reports
http://www.ci.dallas.tx.us/cso/camp-fin/finreports.shtml

I do not know of any local republican groups that openly back candidates except Logcabin Republicans. If anyone knows of any others, please reply.

On the other side, Stonewall Democrats and Dallas County Young Democrats both openly backed candidates in May’s council races.

I am adult enough to know that local elections are anything but independent. The candidates may not be able to publicly affiliate themselves with a party, but that has not stopped the groups mentioned above from throwing their weight behind their favorite. A quick review of a candidate’s campaign finances will further reveal their affiliations.

[Markedallas]

Many of the party affiliated groups endorse to provide their members a forum to get to know the candidates. Perhaps an opportunity to get more involved in local political efforts as well. They need to do something on the off years, I guess. I think it also happened because the candidates were swinging by their meetings anyway and they decided to endorse.

Although the elections are non partisan I was amazed when I worked a phone bank several years ago in a north dallas council race. Every caller wanted to know the party affliation of the candidate. Even though we would use the standard comment that it was a non partisan race, they still wanted to know the candidates affiliation.

[psukhu]

Will a Republican run this time?

[mikedsjr]

Its so sad that callers can't get the info they need to make decision from the phone bank. :p

[Insidetheloop]

How about John Scovell?

He's already been holding a number of meetings with the city council behind closed doors about various projects in the CBD. He could really pull the private sector back into Downtown. I think that he is still one of the head honcho's at the Cotton Bowl too and would be a big help in securing the future of Fair Park and the Cotton Bowl. He was a quarterback for Texas Tech.

[AndyIvey]

I know firsthand that supporters of one councilmember (to remain unnamed) purposely mislead voters about the party affiliation of their candidate. My point here is not to ‘out’ a candidate, but is to bring attention to a real problem. Party affiliation could be the key to increasing voter turnout and improving voter education. You cannot claim to be nonpartisan on one hand and accept contributions and endorsements from a party-affiliated group with the other.

[Insidetheloop]

I know firsthand that supporters of one councilmember (to remain unnamed) purposely mislead voters about the party affiliation of their candidate. My point here is not to ‘out’ a candidate, but is to bring attention to a real problem. Party affiliation could be the key to increasing voter turnout and improving voter education. You cannot claim to be nonpartisan on one hand and accept contributions and endorsements from a party-affiliated group with the other.

We all know that James Fantroy is a die hard Neocon Republican. Old news. Secret is out dude!

[AndyIvey]

How about John Scovell?

He's already been holding a number of meetings with the city council behind closed doors about various projects in the CBD. He could really pull the private sector back into Downtown. I think that he is still one of the head honcho's at the Cotton Bowl too and would be a big help in securing the future of Fair Park and the Cotton Bowl. He was a quarterback for Texas Tech.

I am not sure I would wish the job on his family. They have had a great impact on Dallas.

[St-T]

How about John Scovell?

He's already been holding a number of meetings with the city council behind closed doors about various projects in the CBD. He could really pull the private sector back into Downtown. I think that he is still one of the head honcho's at the Cotton Bowl too and would be a big help in securing the future of Fair Park and the Cotton Bowl. He was a quarterback for Texas Tech.

I wish Scovell would run...but, NO WAY will he.

[Insidetheloop]

I am not sure I would wish the job on his family. They have had a great impact on Dallas.

I grew up with his sons and they are good people. Laura Miller already wrote a nasty article about Diane Scovell a number of years ago in The Observer, so I don't see how anything else would phase them.

[LakeHighlands]

I know someone who is seriously considering running.

[AndyIvey]

I grew up with his sons and they are good people.

Small world.... I grew up just a few doors down from them.

[BigD5349]

I heard Tom Delay might have some time on his hands soon... whaddya think?

[Insidetheloop]

Small world.... I grew up just a few doors down from them.

If you're the same age as me,and grew up there in the 70s and 80s then you knew guys like Ben Montgomery, Michael McGlochin, Brandon Rogers etc.

[Lakewooder]

I would support Scovell -- he has been a strong proponent for DISD. And he could bring the developers back to Dallas.

Yes, Bulldog moved from Avalon to a Turtle-Creek highrise, so he couldn't run for Griffith's seat. But Bulldog might make a good mayor, as would Griffith.

I think Anchia could do well also...

I'm still a bit miffed at Staubach for jumping on Jerry's bandwagon in Arlington...but he certainly could bring some respect back to the council...as well as the developers...

And, there's Tim Brown!

[Insidetheloop]

I think Staubach has his eyes set on Congress. If Hutchison or Cornyn leave their office for some reason I think that Staubach would jump into a Senate race. His office walls are decorated with hints that he wants to move in that direction. Over the past few years it's moved from more of a sports theme to a political themed collection.

[Columbus Civil]

I hope no one jumps to any conclusions about my future career path based on what's hanging on my wall. Yikes!

[Lakewooder]

Well, Teddy Roosevelt had a moosehead on the wall (among some other prey) at Oyster Bay, hence the "Bull Moose" party!

[columbiasooner]

Staubach is much more interested in his grandkids and Nascar.

[Tnekster]

Gromer Jeffers, Jr.:
Miller has much more to lose than a tax vote



06:25 AM CDT on Tuesday, October 25, 2005







Mayor Laura Miller's fiery opposition to a $6.3 million tax break for billionaire oilman Ray Hunt could have lasting ramifications on her ability to lead Dallas as well as her political future.

It's already been a tumultuous political year for Ms. Miller, who was humiliated by the May defeat of a referendum proposal that would have given her more power, then lauded for the city's response to the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

She also rebounded from the strong-mayor debacle by pressing for ethics reform at City Hall as some of her Dallas City Council rivals were ensnarled in an FBI public corruption inquiry.

The most recent Miller/Hunt clash, however, could have the most profound effect in two areas.

•Ms. Miller could have lost her chance to build a council coalition.

Ms. Miller has never had strong support from her fellow council members. Most of them opposed her mayoral campaigns in 2002 and 2003.

And though she was able to pass a gay rights ordinance and a ban on smoking in restaurants, she lost votes that mattered to the council, such as the 2003 city bond election.

With the FBI investigation bottling up several black council members who routinely opposed her, Ms. Miller had a chance to lure the four freshman council members to her side and perhaps forge new ground in attracting support from Hispanic members.

But the debate over the Hunt tax abatement, during which she insulted elected and appointed officials, reopened old wounds for veteran council members and exposed new ones to Ms. Miller's perceived lack of people skills.

"The question is, when will it become important to her to have a coalition on the council?" said Dallas lawyer and consultant Michael Sorrell. "It appears that it's not that important to her. She'd rather make a principled stand. But is it the best way for the mayor to govern a city?"

At least for the short term, an anti-Miller coalition is firmly in place, which could affect her ability to influence the council on meaty issues and marginalize her role as mayor.

Since her 2002 election, Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill had served as the opposition leader.

With Mr. Hill being investigated by the FBI, that role could be quietly passed to Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Elba Garcia; council member Ed Oakley, who works effectively with every faction at City Hall; or council member Bill Blaydes.

After last week's vote in favor of the Hunt tax break, council members were jubilant about their successful bout with Ms. Miller.

That euphoria suggests that their opposition to the mayor isn't simply based on the Hunt issue.

•Ms. Miller has to hope that her mayoral platforms in 2002 and 2003 propel her re-election bid in 2007.

Ms. Miller is used to being the scourge of the Dallas establishment. As a council member, she gained popularity by arguing with former Mayor Ron Kirk and being on the back end of lopsided votes.

When she ran for mayor, her opposition was a who's who in Dallas political and business circles. But her appeal as a maverick and a simple campaign message of emphasizing basic services and ethical reform carried her to easy victories.

Political analysts say that most of Ms. Miller's core supporters agree with her that Mr. Hunt didn't need a $6.3 million tax abatement to construct his business headquarters in Dallas.

Whatever the case, Ms. Miller says she intends to run for re-election in 2007.

At this point, her likely opponent is Dallas businessman Phil Ritter , who says he'll start developing his campaign next year.

An opinion piece in this newspaper written by David Biegler, director of the Dallas Citizens Council's Issues Analysis Committee, called upon Ms. Miller to apologize for the "abuse" Mr. Hunt and other business leaders have received over the years.

Southern Methodist University political scientist Cal Jillson called Mr. Biegler's piece the first shot in the 2007 mayoral contest.

Mr. Ritter's success could hinge on which coalition forms in 2007.

If the anti-strong-mayor forces re-emerge, then it could be difficult for Ms. Miller to win again. But if she is able to draw the North Dallas support that swept her into office, then the events of this year, including the Hunt fight, would be a distant memory.

"She has to convince her constituents in North Dallas that her leadership is necessary for the city," Mr. Jillson said. "But more and more, it's appearing that some of her constituents in North Dallas may be looking for a steadier hand."

Dallas political consultant Lorlee Bartos said Ms. Miller's long-term political fortune would hinge on her opponent and the campaign against her.

"It's always a matter of who's in the race," she said. "It's a matter of opportunity."

E-mail gjeffers@dallasnews.com (gjeffers@dallasnews.com)

[trolleygirl]

I know someone who is seriously considering running.

That's great! Now...........are you going to elaborate, since we're on the subject?

You know, if you didn't bring enough bubble gum to share with the rest of the group...........

[Columbus Civil]

trolleygirl, what do you have hanging on your wall?

[trolleygirl]

trolleygirl, what do you have hanging on your wall?

Whips and chains and various torture devices.

just kidding. A little.

Hmm, well up until my s.o. decided that we needed stuff on the walls, nothing. But she has all these nude women art peices that I refuse to allow her to hang on the walls. So, I have pictures of the Dallas skyline, maps and paintings of Big Bend and Texas, and we have a few photo prints from famous photagraphers. Oh and an abstract that an artist friend gave me. Oh and a nice framed article from the Dallas Business Journal about Groundwork Dallas (complete with a horrendous picture of me!)

So, no nekkid people, no sports and no political pictures.

[jdwillis]

Whips and chains and various torture devices.

just kidding. A little.

Hmm, well up until my s.o. decided that we needed stuff on the walls, nothing. But she has all these nude women art peices that I refuse to allow her to hang on the walls. So, I have pictures of the Dallas skyline, maps and paintings of Big Bend and Texas, and we have a few photo prints from famous photagraphers. Oh and an abstract that an artist friend gave me. Oh and a nice framed article from the Dallas Business Journal about Groundwork Dallas (complete with a horrendous picture of me!)

So, no nekkid people, no sports and no political pictures.

You ought to tell them about the coffee table you decorated once...

[F4shionablecHa0s]

Monica Green!!!

[trolleygirl]

Oooh, I thought of another good candidate.....Don Raines, Jr. I think he would be fantastic.

[St-T]

BethAnn Blackwood!

[Tnekster]

Who is Phil Ritter?

[Columbus Civil]

He's head of TI's Public Affairs.

[Columbus Civil]

..and 2005 United Way campaign chair.

[Columbus Civil]

http://www.unitedwaydallas.org/news/Scrapbook/2005/HOH_11.jpg

[Tnekster]

^What else do we know about him?

[Columbus Civil]

DALLAS (June 26, 2001) - Texas Instruments has named Philip J. Ritter (Phil) to lead the company's Public Affairs activities. In his new capacity, Mr. Ritter will have global responsibility for the company's government relations, philanthropic and community affairs activities and become part of TI's leadership team.

Mr. Ritter started with Texas Instruments 12 years ago and has been instrumental in working state and local government issues for the company. He began his career with TI in the law department and most recently was responsible for managing TI's education initiatives, community relations, public policy and corporate philanthropy. Mr. Ritter currently serves as chairman of the Texas Education Reform Caucus and is the incoming chairman of the Alliance for Higher Education board. He is immediate past president of the Volunteer Center of Dallas County and is a former member of the Dallas Area Rapid Transit Board. Mr. Ritter is also on the boards of the United Way of Metropolitan Dallas and Dallas Fort Worth Minority Business Development Council. He is replacing Elwin L. Skiles, Jr., who recently passed away.

Prior to joining TI, Mr. Ritter worked for Sun Exploration and Production Company as an attorney and also spent two years on the staff to the Texas Senate. Mr. Ritter holds a Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctorate degrees from the University of Maryland as well as a Master's in Public Affairs from the LBJ School of Public Affairs, University of Texas at Austin.

[Tnekster]

^Thanks for the info.

[trolleygirl]

I like the fact that he has non-profit experience. That's rare in politicians.

[carousel]

'Stronger-mayor' plan faces test



Dallas: Tuesday vote set as early ballots suggest apathy on alternative




08:39 AM CST on Monday, November 7, 2005



By EMILY RAMSHAW / The Dallas Morning News



Dallas voters will head to the polls Tuesday to decide – for the second time this year – whether to strengthen the mayor's authority at City Hall. But no one's putting wagers on how the ballot measure fares.

While early voting numbers are high, spurred by a controversial statewide gay-marriage ban, elections officials say they're seeing great apathy toward the "stronger-mayor" referendum. And the campaigns for and against Proposition 1 both agree it's anyone's game.

<!-- Refer begins here -->DallasNews.com/extra (http://www.dallasnews.com/extra) We recommend: The Editorial Board's recommendations on all proposed state constitutional amendments and Dallas city propositions (http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/longterm/stories/102405dnedirecs.11acc0c5e.html)

Election Day is Nov. 8.

Polling places:
Dallas County (http://dalcoelections.org/november82005/votinglocations.asp)
Collin County (http://collincountytx.gov/elections/election_information/2005/110805/ED110805.html)
Denton County (http://elections.dentoncounty.com/go.asp?Parent=827&Link=831)
Ellis County (http://www.co.ellis.tx.us/pressrelease/2005%20POLLS%20spanish.htm)
Kaufman County (http://kaufmancounty.net/noticeofelection.htm)
Rockwall County (http://www.rockwallcountytexas.com/rockwrds.htm)
Tarrant County (http://inet.tarrantcounty.com:8010/ElectionCGI/gac1fw1p)

Review the statewide ballot: English (http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/2005novconsamend.shtml) | Español (http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/2005novconsamendsp.shtml)



<!-- Refer ends here -->"So much has happened on this issue since it first went on a ballot," said Carol Reed, who is running the campaign in favor of the stronger-mayor referendum. "I'm at a loss to predict it."

A coalition of Dallas City Council members designed Proposition 1 last spring, in an effort to persuade voters to defeat a May referendum that would have eliminated the city manager and granted much greater power to the mayor. That referendum was trounced at the polls.

The alternative, which appears on Tuesday's ballot, would allow the mayor to hire and fire the city manager and the police and fire chiefs, and to craft the budget alongside the manager. A majority of the City Council could fire the manager. And the council would also have the authority to hire a budget oversight officer to balance the mayor's fiscal power. The mayor's salary would double to $120,000.

If Proposition 1 passes, it would go into effect in 2007.



Changed their stands


Since the City Council placed the referendum on the ballot, at least six of its members have turned their backs on it, including two of its main architects – Mayor Pro Tem Don Hill and council member Ed Oakley.

Mayor Laura Miller, who supported last May's strong-mayor referendum and plans to vote for this one, too, said she's confident it will pass. This, unlike May's election, is a "pretty small change," she said.

"The one conclusion from the strong-mayor election that everyone agreed on was that citizens wanted a change," said Ms. Miller, who will be up for re-election in 2007. "They wanted a stronger mayor."

Opponent Lynn Flint Shaw isn't so sure. She's optimistic that southern-sector voters, who oppose strengthening mayoral power in any form and were largely responsible for defeating last May's referendum, are heading to the polls again in strong numbers. And she said northern voters have become better informed and have had their own change of heart in the last few weeks.

"People in the north are starting to see what we see all the time" in the southern sector, said Ms. Shaw, a member of the DART board.

County Elections Administrator Bruce Sherbet said late last week that early-voting turnout had exceeded 40,000 – up significantly from two years ago. Generally, constitutional amendment elections draw just 7 percent of the city's registered voters, he said. Dallas might be on par to see 15 percent or 20 percent, he said, largely a result of state Proposition 2, the measure to ban gay marriage in the state Constitution.

This could be a false read, Mr. Sherbet said. In the last presidential election "more people just voted early," he said. And he said the high early-voting numbers don't appear to be the result of the stronger-mayor ballot measure. Proposition 2 is really drawing the crowd, he said.



Are voters drained?


"I'm not seeing the fervor we saw in the May [strong-mayor] election," he said. "I don't think Proposition 1 is firing up voters."

Even if voter turnout is unusually high, Proposition 1 almost certainly will fail at the polls, said Cal Jillson, a political science professor at Southern Methodist University.

Voters are drained after more than a year of debate over whether to change Dallas' form of government, he said. In the short term, he predicted they will be more comfortable with the status quo.

"It's hard to get a series of events, if you think from May to today, in which absolutely everybody loses, and that's where we are today," he said. "But I also think [defeating Proposition 1] will eventually deepen the sense of frustration that citizens have with City Hall in Dallas."

Ms. Reed, who led the successful campaign against last May's "too-strong" referendum, is confident Proposition 1 will pass – but by a very narrow margin.

"This time around it's not about this mayor," she said. "Voters can decide, in 2007, whether the person in office is who they want to have those powers."

E-mail eramshaw@dallasnews.com (eramshaw@dallasnews.com) .

[trolleygirl]

That should go on the strong mayor thread.

[Markedallas]

That should go on the strong mayor thread.

Meow...such a stickler for the rules.

[frankchitown]

Well, the strong mayor initiative does have some relevance in this particular thread...mainly because it won't go into effect until the next mayoral election. Unfortunately many people aren't aware of this...those people who went out and voted "against Miller" today

[columbiasooner]

I didn't go vote against Miller, I voted against giving the City Council more power.