Southern Dallas voters are poised to decide on a generational change in representation next month, with the District 8 race for the City Council headed to a runoff.
Two candidates are facing off 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.
When no candidate gets more than half the votes, as was also the case in District 11, the top two head to a runoff. That election is scheduled for June 7.
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 concerns.
The district includes the Shops at RedBird, where Tom Thumb scrapped its plans to open a store in the area. It 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.
The sprawling area is home to Paul Quinn College, which has plans to expand its footprint, along with agricultural and undeveloped land.
Tennell Atkins departing
Atkins’ upcoming departure is expected to mark a major shift, with his tenure spanning nearly two decades.
He was first elected in 2007 and served eight years — four two-year terms — before facing his first term limit. He left the council in 2015 and was then reelected in 2017.
City rules previously allowed City Council members who’d reached their term limits to run again after not participating for at least one election cycle. A city charter amendment supported by voters in November eliminated this reset to term limits.
In Atkins’ last term, he helped shepherd the City Council through $4 billion shortfalls 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.
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.
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. Atkins returned after his first term limit to take back the seat in 2017.
Wilson is campaigning on his vision to foster economic growth in the district.
His platform includes expanding affordable housing, improving streets and transportation, and supporting small businesses through grants and mentorship programs.
This reporting is part of the Future of North Texas, a community-funded journalism initiative supported 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.