Ready to run: Council incumbents prepare for campaigns

Four Plano City Council seats will be open in May’s election, but two of the council members who currently hold those seats have no plans to give them up. Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Pat Miner and Place 3’s André Davidson have announced their plans to run for re-election.

Both council members will be running for their second term, although Davidson did not serve a complete three-year term. She was first elected in May 2010 to fill the unexpired term of Mabrie Jackson, who resigned to run for the Texas House.

Even still, Davidson said she has a head start on any newcomers that may run against her. She has already gone through the learning curve of understanding city processes, systems, meetings, responsibilities and representation.

“I think the fact that I’ve had the past experience in the last term is certainly an advantage,” she said. “I know it certainly will be a benefit to me moving into my second term.”

Miner also thinks experience will set apart his first term from a potential second term.

“Three years ago, while I had a good grasp on the issues Plano was facing, I was new to the council and its inner workings,” he said. “Now, I have the experience at the local, state and federal level to go along with the knowledge of the issues and the ability to continue getting things done in a timely fashion.”

Council member Jean Callison has reached her term limits and Councilman Harry LaRosiliere made the decision not to run again.

Davidson and Miner both mentioned some “unfinished business.” Miner said he wants to “keep Plano moving forward.”

“I want to continue working for my fellow citizens,” he said, “by listening to them and solving the problems and issues they – and we as a city – face, by ensuring public safety needs are met, that budgetary issues are reviewed and acted upon in a complete, fair and timely manner, to continue working [on] neighborhood revitalization efforts and work to bring more business to Plano.”

Davidson also said business growth and revamping neighborhoods are top priorities. She thinks aggressive economic development will be crucial for the city in the next few years, and commercial real estate growth is a strategy she strongly supports.

“We’ve been extremely successful in our efforts over the last few years to bring business to the city,” Davidson said. “I also intend to continue and work for positive revitalization of neighborhoods and aging commercial properties.”

Davidson had to cancel her kickoff campaign party last week because of weather and safety concerns, but the date has been rescheduled for March 1. Miner’s campaign kickoff was in September at Reflections on Spring Creek – an early start for campaign season, as the first day to file an application for a place on the ballot is Feb. 14.

Miner said he had not heard if anyone had planned to run against him in the election, but Davidson said she expects others will run for her current seat. A possible additional candidate for Place 3 could be Cathy Fang, who ran against Davidson in the 2010 election.

“If she is, I certainly welcome the competition,” Davidson said.

Davidson’s website, www.andredavidson.com, also says she anticipates “a tight race.”

Miner has messages for constituents on his campaign site, www.patminer.org. From there, residents can use the site for information such as how to register to vote.

Miner said he thinks voters know him best for “looking at all sides of the issue at hand, making a fair assessment and acting on it.” Davidson, however, said she wants voters to know how much she loves Plano and community service. She has served in various capacities around the city, including as executive director of Leadership Plano.

“I have a long history of proving my commitment to this community and my willingness to serve this community,” Davidson said. “I’ve had that privilege of developing leadership in Plano and now have the capacity to serve, myself.”

Miner had a similar message about volunteerism, specifically for his voters.

“It’s been said, ‘Every hat we put on in the service of others is a privilege.’ I strongly concur,” he said. “It’s been a wonderful and humbling experience to be a servant to you, my fellow citizens. With your concurrence and support, I look forward to continuing that service to you for a second term on Plano City Council.”

Filing packets to run for Places 1, 3, 5 and 7 are available for pickup by appointment by calling the City Secretary’s office at 972-941-7120. Candidates for Place 1 and Place 3 must reside in the district they represent, while the other two council seats are considered “at-large” positions. The last day to file is March 14.

The last day to register to vote for the May 14 election is April 14, and early voting begins May 2. For voter registration information, visit www.co.collin.tx.us/elections/voter_registration/voter_registration_application.jsp.

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