On May 4, State Rep. Eric Johnson (D) and Dallas City Councilman Scott Griggs advanced to a June 8 mayoral runoff election in Dallas, Texas. Johnson received 20.3 percent of the vote to Griggs’ 18.5 percent. A runoff will be held as no candidate received more than 50 percent of the vote.

 

Johnson and Griggs were among nine candidates on the general election ballot for Dallas mayor. The seat is open, as incumbent Mike Rawlings (D) is prevented by term limits from seeking re-election. He was first elected in 2011.

 

The next highest vote-getters on Saturday were nonprofit CEO Lynn McBee and real estate developer Mike Ablon with 14 and 13.5 percent, respectively.

 

Griggs has been on the city council since 2011, and Johnson has been in the state House since 2010. They were among four candidates in the race who have served elected office.

 

Dallas is the ninth-largest city in the U.S. by population. It uses a council-manager system, in which the mayor serves on the city council. The council and mayor appoint a city manager to oversee day-to-day municipal operations and implement the council’s policy and legislative initiatives. The mayor of Dallas does not have veto power but appoints city council committee members and chairs, determines what policy-related agenda items will be considered by the council, and makes policy and budget recommendations.

 

Dallas also held elections for all 14 city council seats Saturday.