Q&A: Meet the Candidates running for Dallas County Commissioners Court, precinct 2 seat

What will be your top priorities if you are elected?

I will continue to fight to decrease crime and create solutions for those suffering mental illness. I would like to continue the work at the Esperanza Community Center to serve a disadvantaged community. I continue to provide affordability in our district by building homes for seniors, teachers and first responders.

What uniquely qualifies you for this position?

We must address mental illness, drug addiction and those who face homelessness. These struggles lead to desperation and can lead to crime. When someone needs treatment for these issues, that treatment should be available. This reduces crime by preempting it, but when crimes are committed, we must protect the public.

What do you see as the greatest challenge for Dallas County, and how will you improve it?

We must support deflection centers. They provide safe care for individuals in crisis, provide services they need and protect our citizens. An officer decides whether an individual needs services or jail. This saves jail space for those who pose threats. It allows those with frontline experience to use their discretion.

What is something you want Dallas County residents to know about you?

In addition to my previous answers: more affordable housing to Dallas and District 2, economy and efficiency audits of each department and ensuring our sheriff’s deputies and first responders [have] the resources they need. We must also prepare for floods, storms, fires, disease and attacks on our computer systems.

What will be your top priorities if you are elected?

Call for a third-party forensic audit, the first in more than a decade. Vote no on Prop A, [a] proposed homeless property-tax increase. Put vote centers in public buildings the law already prefers. Publish what the county spends before it borrows or raises the rate again.

What uniquely qualifies you for this position?

I end disputes for a living. For over 15 years I have mediated and arbitrated thousands of cases. I have served as a precinct chair and election judge and testified in court on ballot secrecy and auditability. District 2 needs a watchdog, not another vote for the majority.

What do you see as the greatest challenge for Dallas County, and how will you improve it?

Affordability. The county rate is rising for the first time in 16 years, and Prop A would add about $100 million a year for one nonprofit. I will vote no, measure contracts by results and stop treating District 2, which carries about 40% of the county levy, like an ATM.

What is something you want Dallas County residents to know about you?

I live here with my wife and three daughters. I have walked this district and heard the same list: housing, groceries, insurance, energy, gas. I did not get a 22% raise last year. I will not vote as if you did.