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Denton voters will have the chance to cast their ballots June 13 for Erica Garland or George Michael Ferrie Jr. as the representative for Denton City Council at-large Place 5.
What's happening?
The race for the City Council seat advanced to a runoff election after no candidate received at least 50% of the vote during the May 2 local election.
Garland and Ferrie were the candidates who received the most votes out of the three candidates who initially ran, according to previous reporting.
Garland earned 48.84% of the votes, while Ferrie received 47.94% of the ballots cast. The pair advanced to the runoff over Caleb Meese, who secured 3.22% of the votes cast.
June 13, or election day, is the final day Denton voters can cast a ballot in the runoff race.
What else?
The original version of this election questionnaire was published March 31 ahead of the May 2 local election. This Q&A was updated to remove the primary candidate who did not advance to the June 13 runoff, but candidates' answers were not changed from the originally published article.
Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been minimally edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines or for style and clarity.
Pilot recruiter, aviation professional, Denton Planning and Zoning commissioner; Denton Airport Advisory board member
Why are you running for office?
I’m running because Denton deserves steady, practical leadership focused on core city responsibilities. As a planning and zoning commissioner and longtime resident, I’ve seen how decisions impact neighborhoods and businesses. I’m committed to listening, representing constituent voices and prioritizing public safety, infrastructure and responsible growth over politics.
What are the biggest challenges facing the city?
Denton faces challenges in balancing rapid growth with responsible resource management. We must maintain infrastructure, strengthen public safety and improve unsheltered services with effective, sustainable solutions. By focusing on core services and fiscal discipline, we can protect taxpayers while preserving our neighborhoods’ character.
How do you plan to address these issues?
I will prioritize data-driven decision making, responsible budgeting and long-term planning. I will strengthen infrastructure investment, support first responders, encourage thoughtful development and partner with local organizations to advance effective solutions for our unsheltered population. My approach will remain collaborative, transparent and focused on measurable results for Denton residents.
What would your top priorities be if you are elected?
My top priorities are public safety, reliable infrastructure, responsible growth and fiscal discipline. I’ll work to ensure city services keep pace with development, safeguard taxpayer dollars and protect the quality of life that makes Denton unique and a strong place to raise families and build businesses.
Clinical social worker; Denton Main Street Association; president of the Denton Affordable Housing Corporation
Why are you running for office?
I'm running because my work as a social worker has shown me the urgent need to dismantle systems failing working people. I want to ensure development doesn't ignore our infrastructure, and I aim to return autonomy and power directly to our community.
What are the biggest challenges facing the city?
Dentonites are battling rising costs for rent, food and healthcare while wages stagnate. Thousands cannot afford their homes. We also face fragmented homelessness responses, poor infrastructure planning and developer-driven projects that fail to help Denton's workforce.
How do you plan to address these issues?
I plan to implement an infrastructure-first development ordinance, requiring developers to complete impact studies and pay for necessary upgrades. I will also champion deeply affordable housing, scale Permanent Supportive Housing and reform our homelessness response using housing-first practices.
What would your top priorities be if you are elected?
My top priorities are protecting local businesses from displacement, ensuring infrastructure-first growth, and applying fair work standards to city-funded projects. I will prioritize scaling Permanent Supportive Housing and expanding eviction-prevention programs to keep vulnerable neighbors safely housed.
