CategoryLocal

All candidates for Irving City Council Place 5 complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey

By Mercedes Yanora
In Local
May 30, 2023 at 5:47 PM

Both of the candidates running in the June 10, 2023, general runoff election for Irving City Council Place 5 — Mark Cronenwett (nonpartisan) and Heather Stroup (nonpartisan) — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.

Here are the candidates’ responses to the question: What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Cronenwett:

  • “First and foremost, I am an advocate for Irving families and I have formed my priorities to best serve them. The many Irving Board positions on which I have served have been critical to my learning the current and future needs of our city. My 14 years of service has also allowed me to build relationships with our city leaders and staff. A working relationship with City management is essential to successfully address the needs of my constituents and of all the residents of Irving.
  • Police and Fire. Our City must provide the funds to retain and attract top-notch first responders. During the pandemic, our pay structure slid. We must regain our position as the preferred destination for police officers and firefighters by increasing pay to at least the 80th percentile of similar cities. This pay increase is currently before the City Council, and I will fully support it.
  • Quality of Life. The redevelopment of Texas Stadium and Exxon Headquarters will have a tremendous impact on Irving’s tax base. They are also prime locations for family-centered destinations, like what Epic is for Grand Prairie. Our city also needs more recreational venues and greenspace. District 5 would benefit from a rec center and library. I championed the construction of Levy Event Plaza where our city hosts many events, including our 4th of July celebration.”

Stroup:

  • “We need better COMMUNICATION and Citizen Engagement. There are still so many gaps within the City of Irving and other organizations that are keeping Irving from being the absolute BEST. Communication builds Communities.
  • I championed our Police and Fire Training Facility while I served on our Public Safety Task Force. I also want the City to get aggresive about Cybersecurity and Ransomware Attacks. How catastrophic will it be if someone can’t dial 911? We need to be prepared. …
  • Let’s explore good land use. Economic Development only works when our infrastucture is solid. ‘Build it and they will come’ is a phrase often discussed as a reason to invest in a particular project which ushers in tourists, businesses or investors. However, creating a short term incentive is not enough, the excitement quickly wears off if the project doesn’t have a local grounding. The key is to look at who ‘they’ are before starting a project. Also asking ourselves, do ‘We/Irving’ have the infrastructure to support and retain it? Being 93% built out, I see this as an opportunity.”

Click on the candidates’ profile pages below to read their full responses to this and other questions.

We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.

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States send letters and questionnaires inquiring about ESG at firms

By James McAllister
In Local
May 27, 2023 at 9:53 AM

Twenty-one state financial officers signed letters on May 15 that were sent to large asset management firms and two proxy advisory services (Glass-Lewis and Institutional Shareholder Services, who combined represent 95% of the proxy advisory business), requesting answers to questions about the use of ESG and the justification for doing so as legal fiduciaries of their clients’ money.

Ballotpedia tracks support for and opposition to the environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) investing movement. To learn more about arguments for, against, and about ESG, click here. For more information on reform proposals related to ESG policy, click here.



Roundup of Jacksonville’s runoff elections

By Mercedes Yanora
In Local
May 19, 2023 at 1:48 PM

The general runoff for Jacksonville, Florida, was on May 16, 2023. The general election was held on March 21, and the filing deadline to run passed on Jan. 13. 

Candidates competed for property appraiser, city council, and mayor. Runoffs were required for these races because no candidate received a majority of the general election vote. 

Donna Deegan (D) defeated Daniel Davis (R) 52% to 48% in the runoff for mayor. Deegan will be the second Democrat to hold the office since 1993. Joyce Morgan (D) defeated Jason Fischer (R) 50.6% to 49.4% in the runoff for Duval County property appraiser. Candidates for city council competed in runoffs for At-large Position 5, District 2, District 7, District 8, District 9, District 11, and District 14. Two of two incumbents were re-elected in the city council runoffs. 

Jacksonville is the largest city in Florida and the 12th-largest city in the U.S. by population.

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Independent Yemi Mobolade defeats Republican Wayne W. Williams in Colorado Springs mayoral race

By Mercedes Yanora
In Local
May 19, 2023 at 1:36 PM

Yemi Mobolade defeated Wayne W. Williams 57.5% to 42.5% in the general runoff for Colorado Springs mayor. The runoff was on May 16, 2023, while the general was held on April 4, and the filing deadline to run passed on Jan. 23. 

While most mayoral elections in the 100 largest cities are nonpartisan, including this one, most officeholders are affiliated with a political party. Mobolade is an independent, while Williams is a Republican. Republican-affiliated mayors have held the position in Colorado Springs since 1979, according to The Gazette.

This year’s election in Colorado Springs is one of two mayoral elections in the 100 most populous U.S. cities that has resulted in partisan change this year. The other one — the mayoral runoff election in Jacksonville, Florida — also took place on Tuesday. Donna Deegan (D) defeated Daniel Davis (R) 52% to 48%.

As of May 2023, 62 mayors in the largest 100 cities by population are affiliated with the Democratic Party, 26 are affiliated with the Republican Party, three are independents, seven identify as nonpartisan or unaffiliated, and two mayors’ affiliations are unknown.

Colorado Springs is the second-largest city in Colorado and the 39th-largest city in the U.S. by population.

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Donna Deegan (D) wins runoff election for mayor of Jacksonville, Florida

By Ellen Morrissey
In Local
May 17, 2023 at 4:36 PM

Donna Deegan (D) defeated Daniel Davis (R) 52% to 48% in the May 16 runoff election for mayor of Jacksonville, Florida. Deegan will be the second Democrat to hold the office since 1993.

Incumbent Mayor Lenny Curry (R) was term-limited. Curry was first elected in 2015, making Jacksonville the most populous American city with a Republican mayor.

Deegan and Davis advanced from a field of eight candidates in the March 21, 2023, general election, where Deegan received 39% of the vote and Davis received 25%.

Deegan founded two philanthropic organizations focused on breast cancer issues and was a local television news anchor and investigative journalist. Deegan’s endorsements included the Jacksonville chapter of the National Organization for Women PAC, Branch 53 of the North Florida Letter Carriers union, and former Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried’s (D) PAC, Won’t Back Down. In her Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey, Deegan said her priorities included “improvements in infrastructure, public health, housing affordability, and an inclusive economy” and that “For too long, that leadership has been lacking in a City Hall that only works for a handful of well-connected people.”

Davis was the chief executive officer of the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce and served in the Florida House of Representatives, representing District 15 from 2010 to 2014. Davis’ endorsements included Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters (R), the Jacksonville Brotherhood of Firefighters, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R). In his election night speech, he said, “Will we elect a mayor who will stand with our brave men and women in uniform to make Jacksonville safer? Or will we, as Jacksonvillians, go down the pathway of San Francisco and New York?” In addition to his support for law enforcement, he highlighted his support for school choice and said he would “stand with Governor Ron DeSantis (R) to keep Florida free.”

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All candidates for Kansas City City Council District 1 complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey

By Mercedes Yanora
In Local
May 15, 2023 at 7:45 PM

Both candidates running in the June 20 general election for Kansas City City Council District 1 — Chris Gahagan (nonpartisan) and Nathan Willett (nonpartisan) — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.

Here are the candidates’ responses to the question: What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Gahagan:

  • “Improve and enhance basic city services.
  • Infrastructure improvements and upgrades in the Northland to support future growth and development as well as infrastructure maintenance throughout the city.
  • Development of a comprehensive plan for economic growth to attract new businesses and grow existing businesses to create jobs, which includes reducing the difficulty of navigating the confusing and seemingly arbitrary red tape at City Hall that serves as a disincentive for development and job creation.”

Willett:

  • “Public Safety – Nathan is the endorsed choice to stand up for our first responders and lower the response rate times in the Northland. Nathan is endorsed by Kansas City Fraternal Order of Police.
  • Neighborhood Improvements – Nathan will fight for your neighborhood needs like he has for his own. Nathan made the sidewalks in his neighborhood ADA compliant and safer for students to get to school.
  • Next Generation – As a teacher, Nathan is committed to making better opportunities for our youth and future workforce. Nathan is a Teach for America Kansas City Alum.”

Click on the candidates’ profile pages below to read their full responses to this and other questions.

We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.

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All candidates for Indianapolis City Council District 14 complete Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey

By Mercedes Yanora
In Local
May 11, 2023 at 9:58 PM

Both candidates running in the Nov. 7 general election for Indianapolis City Council District 14 — Andy Nielsen (D) and Brenda Bishop-Kyle (R) — completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.

Here are the candidates’ responses to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Nielsen:

“My top priorities as Councillor are to 1) make our streets and sidewalks safer (with a focus on school zone safety) and improve Eastside’s infrastructure; 2) ensure every neighbor feels safe and supported in their community and has an affordable, clean, and safe place to call home; and 3) develop vibrant neighborhoods by supporting small businesses, expanding green spaces and community gathering spaces, and making Indianapolis as inclusive and welcoming as possible. …”

Bishop-Kyle:

“I have a strong interest on how student social interactions outside of the classroom impacts student outcomes. I want to implement activities that give structure and guidance that positively impact student performance. … To look at the civic infrastructure of District 14 and look at what can be done to improve the safety of neighborhoods.”

Click on the candidates’ profile pages below to read their full responses to this and other questions.

We ask all federal, state, and local candidates with profiles on Ballotpedia to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. Ask the candidates in your area to fill out the survey.

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Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey: New Jersey roundup

By Mercedes Yanora
In Local
May 11, 2023 at 9:54 PM

New Jersey is holding elections, including for municipal office, on June 6, 2023. A number of candidates running in these elections completed Ballotpedia’s Candidate Connection survey. These survey responses allow voters to hear directly from candidates about what motivates them to run for office.

Below is a selection of responses from the candidates who filled out the survey as of May 11. To read each candidate’s full responses, click their name at the bottom of the article.

Ron Bautista (D) is running for Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders District 5 and the primary is on June 6. Here’s how Bautista responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

“I have been a member of the Hoboken Vision Zero Task Force since 2019. … In 2019, I joined the Port Authority Bus Terminal Advisory Council. … Since 2020, I’ve been a board member of the Hudson River Waterfront Conservancy, a nonprofit organization focused on ensuring a public waterfront walkway throughout Hudson and Bergen County. … I also became a board member of the Coalition for Food and Health Equity in 2022.”

Click here to read the rest of Bautista’s answers. 

TJ Senger (D) is running for Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders District 1 and the primary is on June 6. Here’s how Senger responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

“First, keeping public green spaces public. … Second is a county-wide initiative to best help municipalities navigate the new recreation marijuana industry. … Lastly, aiding the municipalities to spur improvement. … If a project that would improve a community, but requires some initial investment, like remediation of lead and asbestos, the county with their budget surplus should be able to help that municipality with a loan.”

Click here to read the rest of Senger’s answers. 

Alex Valdez (D) is running for Hudson County Board of Chosen Freeholders District 9 and the primary is on June 6. Here’s how Valdez responded to the question: What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

“-Education

-Housing Affordability

-Environmental Sustainability

-Pedestrian Safety.”

Click here to read the rest of Valdez’s answers. 

If you’re a New Jersey candidate or incumbent, click here to take the survey. The survey contains over 30 questions, and you can choose the ones you feel will best represent your views to voters. If you complete the survey, a box with your answers will display on your Ballotpedia profile. Your responses will also populate the information that appears in our mobile app, My Vote Ballotpedia.

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A roundup of May 6 Texas election results

By Samuel Wonacott
In Local
May 10, 2023 at 1:15 PM

Local elections took place across Texas on Saturday, May 6. Ballotpedia covered 47 ballot measures on May 6. That was nearly three times more than we covered in May Texas elections in 2019 and 2021, mainly due to an increase in bond measures and charter amendments this year.  

As of this writing, results for some of the 47 measures were not yet available. Those that received the most media attention were voted on in San Antonio, El Paso, and Austin.

San Antonio

Voters rejected Proposition A 71.63% to 28.37%. The amendment, a citizen-initiated measure, would have made the following changes: 

  • Established a city justice director appointed by the mayor and city council; 
  • Prohibited police from issuing citations or making arrests for certain misdemeanor marijuana possession offenses;
  • Prohibited police from enforcing criminal abortion laws;
  • Banned law enforcement use of no-knock warrants and chokeholds; and
  • Used citations instead of arrests for certain misdemeanors.

The San Antonio Police Officers Association opposed the measure. President Danny Diaz said, “This wasn’t a party issue. This was a community issue. The work doesn’t stop tonight. The work continues so that we go out into the community so that they understand what we’re doing as police officers for them to make sure they are safe.”

Act 4 SA led the effort to get the measure on the ballot. Its executive Director, Ananda Thomas, criticized the measure opponents, saying, “lies and the misinformation that were put out there backed by over $2 million. We know at the end of the day, in the long run, the people will always win over big-money interests.”

El Paso

Voters decided 11 charter amendments, including Proposition K, a citizen initiative related to the climate. Voters rejected Proposition K 83.5% to 16.47%. 

Among other things, Proposition K would have established the Climate Department and the Climate Director, which would have carried out the amendment’s three policy goals — “to reduce the City’s contribution to climate change; second, to invest in an environmentally sustainable future; and third, to advance the cause of climate justice.” 

El Paso Matters’s Diego Mendoza-Moyers said, “the Climate Charter sparked fierce opposition – and heavy campaign spending – from business groups such as the El Paso Chamber and the Houston-based Consumer Energy Alliance, which collectively poured over $1 million into television and web advertisements and campaign mailers urging voters to oppose the measure. Supporters of the Climate Charter spent about $30,000 in the election.”

Austin

Voters decided two competing initiatives related to police oversight. Voters supported Proposition A 79.86% to 20.14% and rejected Proposition B 81.09% to 18.91%. Equity Action sponsored Proposition A, while the Austin Police Association-backed Voters for Oversight and Police Accountability sponsored Proposition B. 

Proposition A authorizes the Office of Police Oversight to investigate anonymous complaints, gather evidence and directly interview witnesses, and conduct a preliminary investigation of every complaint and determine whether a full investigation is warranted. The measure allows the Office of Police Oversight to analyze all force incident data and conduct random audits of body camera video.

Under Proposition B, certain provisions regarding the Office of Police Oversight would have been removed from the city Code of Ordinances, including a provision of the Office of Police Oversight to receive anonymous complaints. 

On Saturday night, the Austin Police Association tweeted they were “taking immediate action to determine the city’s intentions regarding the implementation and enforcement of the illegal provisions contained in Prop A.” 

According to Community Impact’s Ben Thompson, “The face-off between the ballot measures is the latest in a series of high-profile policing decisions in the city through recent years, following a 2021 vote in which Austinites rejected a police staffing requirement and voted to ban low-level marijuana enforcement and no-knock raids in the city in last spring’s election. This year, the pending outcome of this May’s proposition election also led City Council to hold off on approving a new labor agreement with the police union.”

Mayoral and municipal elections

Ballotpedia covered mayoral elections in six cities on May 6. Incumbents in all six cities were running for re-election, and all incumbents were re-elected. Three of those cities — Fort Worth, Garland, and Irving — have Republican mayors, while Dallas has a Democratic mayor. San Antonio’s mayor is an independent. We have been unable to verify the partisan affiliation of Arlington’s mayor. 

Ballotpedia is covering 40 mayoral elections this year, including upcoming elections on May 16 in Jacksonville, Fla., and Philadelphia, Pa. 

Ballotpedia also covered city council and other elections on May 6 in the following cities and counties. Click to see results. 



California parcel tax measures have an approval rate of 62% during odd-numbered years; in 2023, 89% have been approved so far

By Jackie Mitchell
In Ballot measures, Local
May 10, 2023 at 10:25 AM

From 2011 to 2021, voters decided 216 parcel tax-related ballot measures in California during odd-numbered year elections. Voters approved 133 (61.57%) and rejected 83 (38.43%). Through April, voters have decided on nine parcel tax ballot measures in California in 2023. Eight (88.89%) were approved, and one (11.11%) was defeated. This approval rate is higher than the average for odd-numbered years from 2011 to 2021.

On average, 36 parcel tax-related measures appeared on ballots in California during an odd-numbered year.

Parcel taxes are a form of special property tax, which must be paid by the owners of parcels, or units, of real estate. However, unlike standard property taxes, which are based on the value of the property, a parcel tax is an assessment based on the characteristics of the parcel. These assessments can include taxing a parcel based on square footage or by dwelling unit, or the tax may be a flat rate per parcel.

Parcel taxes can be imposed by public school districts and on other local units of government, including cities, counties, and special districts. California is the only state that allows parcel taxes as a method for funding schools.

Of the parcel taxes approved by voters in 2023, South Pasadena Unified School District had the highest parcel tax measure, which asked voters to renew a current parcel tax at a rate of $4,764 per parcel for seven years to provide education funding.

The one parcel tax measure that was defeated by voters would have established a tax based on the square foot of buildings ($0.32 per square foot of homes, $1.42 per square foot for lodging, and other rates) to provide funds to acquire, operate, and maintain the Napa County Fairgrounds.

The measure that had the highest vote of approval was in the Salmon Creek Fire Protection District in Humboldt County, which was approved with 111 (96%) voters in favor and five (4%) opposed. The measure enacted a $75 per year special tax for each parcel to fund the Salmon Creek Volunteer Fire Company.

In 2023, Ballotpedia is covering local ballot measures that appear on the ballot for voters within the 100 largest cities in the U.S., within state capitals, and throughout California. You can review the coverage scope of the local ballot measures project here. Ballotpedia is also covering a selection of election-related and policing-related ballot measures outside of the largest cities.

Additional reading:

Parcel tax elections in California