Eligible residents have until April 3 to register to vote, and early voting starts April 22 and ends April 29. Election Day is May 3.
Candidates were asked to keep responses within 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity. For more election coverage, go to www.communityimpact.com/voter-guide.
Bob Kehr
Experience:
IT Managed Services Owner, Community Leader, Parks & Recreation Commission
Candidate Website:
www.bob4plano.org
Contact Information:
469-925-0001
Why are you running for Plano City Council?
I’ve built a high-quality life here and I now feel responsible for the City of Plano. I will ensure that Plano remains a place where people want to move, a place to start and run a business, and a place where people want to be engaged in the community.
What are the biggest challenges Plano is facing?
Plano is now a mature city. We must refresh retail and office spaces, and continue robust maintenance on infrastructure. Plano must also ensure we maintain our value to citizens, including great parks and recreation, libraries, and well equipped and responsive public safety services.
How do you plan to address these issues?
I’ll fight to ensure that we continue investing in these important items. I will also fight to ensure that the city continues to provide the level of service that residents expect. We moved to Plano because of the quality services, and I’ll ensure that Plano remains a great value.
What would your top priorities be if you are elected?
Providing excellent services, strong public safety, great libraries, and recreation centers, and well-kept roads and infrastructure. Renewal of our retail and office spaces through effective Economic Development. Addressing housing to keep growing families in Plano, help our seniors retire here, and support young families build lives here.
Carson Underwood
Experience:
Real estate investor, former Collin CAD board member, Vice Chair of Collin County Parks Advisory.
Candidate Website:
www.carsonunderwood.com
Contact Information:
870-240-5535
Why are you running for Plano City Council?
For my daughter’s future—Plano must remain safe, prosperous, and family-friendly for generations.
What are the biggest challenges Plano is facing?
Aging infrastructure, rising costs, and ensuring responsible growth while preserving Plano’s unique character.
How do you plan to address these issues?
Prioritize infrastructure investment, smart budgeting, and economic development that strengthens our community.
What would your top priorities be if you are elected?
Plano’s safety, infrastructure, economic vitality, and preserving its hometown feel for future generations.
Douglas Reeves
Experience:
Small Business owner and operator 31 years offering job training, counseling, and other assistance.
Candidate Website:
SavePlanoNOW.com
Contact Information:
214-796-7606
Why are you running for Plano City Council?
To bring greater transparency, accountability, and responsiveness to the city, and to be a bridge between the city and the citizens. Plano government has been replaced with a regional framework causing the city to cede over large swathes of its governing authority to the federal government. Citizens deserve better transparency.
What are the biggest challenges Plano is facing?
Aging infrastructure and lack of housing options. Seniors are being taxed out of their homes and taxed into staying in homes they have outgrown. The rent to homeownership ratio is unhealthily high, and there are too many high-density apartments.
How do you plan to address these issues?
Promote single family home ownership over high density zoning. New developments need to be postponed until our infrastructure catches up. Allow the over 65 housing lower tax rate to follow seniors to their new abode to free up larger homes for young growing families.
What would your top priorities be if you are elected?
Encouraging the city to be transparent with the citizens regarding the AFFH rule that has fundamentally transformed—urbanized our once suburban city. Entering smart negotiations with DART. The city could save at a minimum 26 million dollars per year by utilizing better negotiating practices.
