A tan City Hall building sits in the sun, with several rows of large windows and stairs leading up to the doors.

Arlington City Hall sits in the sun Jan. 5 on Abram Street in downtown Arlington. The final day to register to vote in the May 2 city of Arlington general election is April 2.

Photo by Lucia Campos

Editor’s Note

Candidates may file for the election through Feb. 13. The list of candidates in this article may be subject to change.

Filing for the May 2 city of Arlington general election closes Friday, with four city council seats and the next mayor set for the ballot.

The council is composed of nine members, sharing a common goal of providing a safe environment in which to live, learn, work and play.

In the Nov. 8, 2022, election, a proposition passed stating that the mayor and city council members can serve up to three terms, totaling nine years.

Here are some upcoming dates for the general election:Feb. 17: Last day for a write-in to declare candidacyFeb. 20: Last day a candidate can withdraw by 5 p.m.April 2: Last day to register to voteApril 20: First day of early votingApril 20: Last day to apply for mail-in ballotsApril 28: Last day of early votingMay 2: Election Day

Mayor 

The mayor represents the city at large; they preside over council meetings and official city ceremonies. Here are the mayoral candidates: 

Incumbent Mayor Jim Ross will run for reelection. He has served as mayor since June 2021. Ross is a lawyer and businessman and serves on many boards. If reelected, this would be his third and final term as mayor. 

Steve Cavender serves as the president of the River Legacy Foundation. Cavender is endorsed by former Arlington mayors Jeff Williams and Richard Greene. 

Hunter Crow is affiliated with the Tarrant County Green Party and is an Arlington resident. Crow previously ran for Tarrant County College’s board and a seat on the Arlington school board. 

District 3  

The District 3 councilperson represents parts of southeast Arlington, encompassing the Arlington Municipal Airport, portions of the I-20 business corridor, Tarrant County College and the Arlington Highlands. Here are the District 3 candidates:

Incumbent councilwoman Nikkie Hunter will be seeking reelection. Hunter was first elected in June 2021. Her career experience includes working in health care administration, marketing and communications. If reelected, it would be Hunter’s third and final term as councilwoman. 

Kelly Burke is the owner of KRB Fitness. He is an IFBB pro bodybuilder and personal trainer. Burke’s background is in theater acting, fitness modeling, print and short films. 

District 4 

The District 4 councilperson represents most of west Arlington, encompassing The Parks Mall at Arlington, a portion of the I-20 business corridor and the training facilities for the police and fire departments. Here are the District 4 candidates and the incumbent: 

Councilman Andrew Piel cannot to run for reelection under the city’s term limits. 

Tom Ware served on the Arlington Planning and Zoning Commission. Ware is endorsed by former Arlington mayors Richard Greene and Jeff Williams and current Mayor Jim Ross. 

Rojo Meíxueiro is a UTA student. Meíxueiro said he has spent his life organizing and advocating for Arlington. He said he aims to ensure every voice is heard, according to his campaign website. 

Lisa Ventura is a firearms instructor, security professional and private investigator. Ventura is a member of the Community Involvement Committee for the Tarrant County Republican Party.

District 5  

The District 5 councilperson represents parts of east Arlington, encompassing downtown Arlington, City Hall, UTA, the Central Library and General Motors. Here are the District 5 candidates: 

Incumbent councilwoman Rebecca Boxall has served on the council since May 2021. Boxall has served on the Planning and Zoning Commission and was the former president of the Heart of Arlington Neighborhood Association and the Keep Arlington Beautiful Board. 

Brittney Garcia-Dumas is the CEO and founder of BGD Digital Marketing. Garcia-Dumas has also served as a board member for the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Downtown Arlington Management Corporation.  

District 8  

The District 8 councilperson represents the city at large. Here are the District 8 candidates and the incumbent: 

Councilwoman Barbara Odom-Wesley will not be able to run for reelection under the city’s term limits. 

 Jason Shelton serves as a professor of sociology and director of the Center for African American Studies at UTA. Shelton has chaired the Arlington Unity Council for five years and serves on the boards for the Arlington Museum of Art and Levitt Pavilion. 

Corey Harris is a member of the Downtown Arlington Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone Board through appointment by Ross. Harris also served as president of the Arlington Board of Realtors and a trustee of the Texas Realtors Political Action Committee.

Melody Fowler currently serves on the Arlington ISD Board of Trustees and as director of Student Support, Programs and Services. Fowler is also a professor at Arlington Baptist University. She has been an educator for 38 years.    

@tay._.sansom

news-editor.shorthorn@uta.eduÂ