Public Affairs Update | Ken Benson
Elections Results: Prop A Passes in Dallas, Most Incumbents Re-elected.
Last Tuesday, November 8 was election day in Texas. Here is a summary of the key races of importance to hoteliers in North Texas.
City of Dallas – Proposition A passed easily. This measure -- which will provide funding for improvements at Fair Park and an expansion of the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center -- garnered more than 68% of the vote, a significant victory for both the City of Dallas and the hospitality industry. Hoteliers in Dallas can expect the City of Dallas to begin implementing the additional 2% hotel occupancy tax -- which will provide the funding for the two projects -- on January 1, 2023. Most of the Fair Park improvements are anticipated be completed by 2026, with the convention center expansion expected to be completed in 2029.
All statewide officeholders cruised to re-election. As was pretty much expected, Governor Greg Abbott, Lt. Governor Dan Patrick, and Attorney General Ken Paxton all won re-election easily.
North Texas Congressional Delegation will welcome two new members. In Dallas, former Texas House member Jasmine Crockett will replace long time Congresswoman Eddie Bernice Johnson in District 30. Johnson had announced she would not seek re-election last year. In Collin County, former Collin County Judge Keith Self will succeed Van Taylor in District 3. Taylor withdrew from seeking re-election during the primary.
11 new members will be joining the North Texas legislative delegation. While all incumbent representatives won re-election, 11 new members were elected to represent parts of North Texas in the Texas Legislature including two new Texas Senators and nine new Texas House members. You’ll find a list of the new members on the HANTX elections section of the website.
Three new County Commissioners elected in North Texas. All but one incumbent won re-election to Commissioners Courts across North Texas last Tuesday. The three new faces elected include former Farmers Branch Councilman Tim O’Hare who will replace retiring Judge Glen Whitley as Tarrant County Judge. Whitley did not seek re-election. In Dallas County, incumbent J.J. Koch was defeated by Andrew Sommerman who will now represent the North Dallas Precinct 2 district. In Denton County, former Carrolton Mayor Kevin Falconer won election in an open seat election for Precinct 2. In Collin County, all incumbents on the ballot won re-election.
No City Council elections were on the ballot this November, those will occur next May. There were no local city council elections held this November. Those elections are held in May every year.
