Runoff election voting for the Arlington City Council District 8 at-large seat was held June 13 at the Tarrant County Subcourthouse in Arlington. Twenty-seven other polling locations were available, and polls opened at 7 a.m. and closed at 7 p.m.
Arlington voters cast their ballots for the District 8 at-large seat during Saturday’s runoff election, electing Jason Shelton as the Arlington City Council’s newest member.
Across the city, over 9,200 ballots were cast, according to unofficial county results.
During the May 2 election, Shelton and Melody Fowler, an Arlington Independent School District Board of Trustees member, failed to surpass the 50% vote threshold. Fowler received roughly 46.92% of the votes and Shelton received roughly 38.27%, sending the two candidates into the runoff.
Shelton was elected with 5,811 votes – 62.79% of the total – marking his first term on the council. He will serve the city for three years. The City Council serves as Arlington’s primary governing body and handles various matters, including setting budgets and key city policies.
Shelton based his campaign on supporting economic growth, partnerships that prepare students for future careers, improving the city’s transportation, protecting families and ensuring taxpayers’ dollars are spent efficiently, according to his campaign website.
Shelton said he is looking forward to contributing to discussions involving topics such as the city’s affordability and public transportation as well as moving the city forward.
“I want to make sure everybody has a high quality of life in our city, that we’re helping people achieve their American dreams in the city,” he said.
Shelton serves as a sociology professor and the director of the Center for African American Studies at UTA. He also serves on the Boards for the Arlington Museum of Art and Levitt Pavilion. Shelton also chaired the Arlington Unity Council for five years, according to his campaign website.
Omar Muñoz, 33, said he cast his vote for Shelton because he wants the council to reflect the city’s diversity.
Dennis Vasquez, 55, cast his ballot in favor of Shelton for a similar reason.
“We need more African American, really more minority representation, on City Council,” Vasquez said.
Vasquez also cited Shelton’s background in education as his deciding factor, noting that he wants to get more educators in government.
Kelly Curnutt, 60, said he knew both candidates and thinks both would serve well, but he has more history with Fowler and cast his vote in favor of her.
Fowler received around 3,444 votes, or 37.21% of the ballots. She campaigned on keeping city crime rates low, attracting businesses and lowering property taxes, according to her campaign website.
Fowler brought years of public service experience, serving on the Arlington Independent School District Board of Trustees for eight years, including serving as president and secretary. She has also been a member of several boards, such as Arlington Charities and the Arlington ISD Education Foundation, according to her campaign website.
“Her track record of serving and caring, that’s why I think she’s the best candidate for the job right now in this election,” Curnutt said.
Mary Parker, 71, said one of the reasons she voted for Fowler was due to the years she spent on the Arlington ISD school board.
“She’s really plugged into the community and education and what’s important and what makes Arlington work well,” Parker said.
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