South Dallas gives Adam Bazaldua two more years

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Incumbent Council Member Adam Bazaldua took on five challengers and won. 

Nearly 57% of District 7 voters chose Bazaldua, and he also garnered the most votes in every South Dallas precinct except one (3029 — Bonton voters gave Cydney Walker three more votes than Bazaldua). Because he received more than 50% of votes, Bazaldua won’t have to face the second highest vote-getter — Jose Rivas Jr. — in the  June 7 runoff. 

Rivas captured 16.5% of votes, Cydney Walker received 14.53%, O’Neil Hesson 7.91% and Lamar “Yaka” Jefferson 4.16%.

The voters have spoken. (Well, a few of them.)

Across Dallas County, only 8% of registered voters cast ballots in May’s elections to decide who would govern their cities and school boards. In Dallas District 7, which includes South Dallas, Joppa and parts of far east Dallas, the turnout was only 6% of voters. In South Dallas precincts, it was even lower — only 5%.

There could be any number of reasons why only 648 South Dallas neighbors showed up at the polls. It wouldn’t surprise us if this newsletter is reaching a number of neighbors who had yard signs in their lawns, as well as several who may be just now realizing that there was an election.

We know that the convenience of vote centers is helpful, though the ability to vote anywhere in Dallas County isn’t necessarily increasing voter turnout. But what if local elections moved to November in odd years, alternating the presidential and congressional elections? This could happen, based on a City Charter amendment voters approved last November, and Dallas state legislators’ end-of-session efforts to pass a bill that would pave the way.  

If this pans out, Bazaldua could have a few more months tacked on to his final 2-year term. The Dallas City Charter limits council members to four 2-year terms — a total of eight years in the seat. After a failed bid in 2017, he was first elected in 2019 by less than 100 votes in a runoff against former council member Tiffinni A. Young.

As Bazaldua ran for election this spring, he made several commitments:

• He said he would further invest in infrastructure, reducing crime, advocating for long-term housing solutions, and ensuring new development benefits residents.
• At an April candidate forum, Bazaldua said his record shows he has a firm grasp on balancing development initiatives while also supporting homeowners.
• He voiced support for the utilization of TIFs and PIDs and stated that the district will have an influx of $28 million to use in the next few years.
• Bazaldua named homeownership as the most important economic issue facing South Dallas, and said using TIF funding could address the issue.
• Bazaldua said he would approve the South Dallas/Fair Park Area Plan, which attempts to jumpstart economic growth while preventing incompatible housing. (The plan was approved at a May City Plan Commission meeting and heads to City Council Wednesday.)
• He said he would vote to declare Queen City a historic district, a process that was initiated in June 2024. The neighborhood currently has a two-year overlay to stabilize the rapidly growing property values in the area.