Residents took to the polls over the weekend and voted out three Dallas City Council incumbents who publicly supported Mayor Mike Rawlings.
SMU Political Science Professor Cal Jillson said the runoff election results show that voters were ready for a change.
“It says that there was an unease among voters,” Jillson said. “And I think that in a runoff election where voter turnout is very low you tend to get a voter that is more informed and attuned to what is going on in the district.”
Omar Narvaez defeated incumbent Monica Alonzo in the District 6 runoff. Kevin Felder beat Tiffini Young in District 7. In District 8, former City Council Member Tennell Atkins received more votes than incumbent Erik Wilson. Carolyn King Arnold was defeated in May, totaling four incumbents that have been recently voted out of their seats.
Jillson said the recent election results don’t necessarily indicate that Mayor Rawlings will lose the majority of support from the council.
“But it means he’s going to have to rebuild that majority,” Jillson said. “And incumbents would be well advised to ask themselves when the Mayor comes and asks them for their support on a difficult issue, what do my constituents want out of this particular vote.”
Jillson believes that the West Dallas low rent housing issue and topics surrounding Fair Park played a part in the election.
