Jessica Juarez, who has served since 2022, said in a letter she has accepted a new professional opportunity with the Dallas County District Attorney’s Office that will require her full commitment and attention, and because of the office’s policy, she cannot continue holding an elected office. Her last day as a council member will be May 31.
The details
In a news release, city officials said Keller’s City Charter requires an election to fill a vacant council seat within 120 days, and officials are tentatively planning that election for Aug. 31. Council is expected to call the election as part of the May 15 agenda.
During that special meeting, council members will also canvass the results of the May 4 City Council election and swear in Place 1 council member Shannon Dubberly, who ran for re-election unopposed, and Greg Will, who was elected to the Place 2 position that featured four candidates in the running. Council member Sean Hicks serves in the Place 2 seat now and chose not to run again. He served two, three-year terms. Keller does not have term limits.
Zooming in
In her letter, Juarez said seeking justice for abused and neglected children is “a lifelong passion, and the decision to accept a role as a prosecuting attorney in these cases gives me the honor to fight for the thousands of children who are in foster care on any given day in Dallas County.”
She said her passion for service led her to run for Keller City Council. She said serving the community has been an “honor and privilege," and she has cherished every moment.
“I want to express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you for the support, trust and encouragement you showed me during my time in office," she said in her letter. "Together, we have achieved significant progress and positive changes for Texas’ most family-friendly city, and I am proud of the work we have accomplished together.”
She plans to continue to contribute to the city in other ways outside of being an elected officeholder, and said she and her family will stay in Keller.
