MANSFIELD — The primary vote on May 7 will set the stage for one of the most interesting Mansfield general elections in recent memory.
Richland Source wants you to help shape the tenor of the local debate in the next few weeks by sharing your questions and concerns with us. We will then do our best to get answers on your behalf.
Granted, all of the Mansfield contested races in May involve Democrats. The Republican ballot is already set for November. We will get to those folks after the primary is done.
Here are the City of Mansfield races in the Democratic Party we are following closely this primary season:
Mayor — Current Mansfield At-Large Councilman Don Bryant vs. Victoria Norris-Diez
Council at-large — Current Council President Phillip Scott vs. Joel Vega
4th Ward Council — Incumbent Walden “Butch” Jefferson vs. Alomar Davenport
6th Ward Council — Recent 6th Ward appointee Jean Taddie takes on challengers Doug Caldwell and Easther McNeil.
The City of Mansfield certainly has dealt with a myriad of issues in the last few years, including emergence from fiscal emergency and current budgeting to snow plowing to economic development to multi-million dollar ideas like dry dams and city-wide water meter replacement.
In addition, a group of local residents has recently put forth a downtown development plan titled Mansfield Rising that will require some degree of city participation.
The near future of the city is what’s on the ballot on May 7. That means this election is not so much about the candidates, as it is about you and your fellow Mansfield residents.
So, what questions do you have of these candidates, either on a city-wide or ward-specific basis? What concerns would you like them to address? If you could pose a question to any or all of these candidates, what would it be?
Share your questions and concerns with us here and we will endeavor to get them answered for you.
