Campaign Phone
9405575580
Education
• Post-doctoral: 1997-2004, Computational Chemistry - University of Houston • Ph.D.: 1991-1997, Biochemistry & Biophysics - Washington State University • B.S.: 1987-1991, Biochemistry - Texas A&M University
Occupation
Retired
Denton is facing real decisions about growth, cost of living, and how we prepare for the future. After multiple terms on City Council, I’ve seen where we can do better and how to get results that truly make a difference. I’m running for Mayor to focus on affordability, strengthen infrastructure, protect our environment, and support creativity, innovation, training, and career development so people can build successful lives and stay in Denton.
I’ve served three terms on City Council, including as Mayor Pro Tem, and currently chair the Committee on the Environment and the Development Code Review Committee. I’ve led meaningful efforts on affordability, sustainability, and long-range planning. Professionally, I’m a computational biologist and educator with decades of experience analyzing complex systems, bringing thoughtful, data-driven, and practical solutions to city government.
Open communication starts with showing up consistently and explaining the “why” behind decisions. I prioritize meetings with neighborhood organizations, public forums, and regular online updates so residents can stay informed and engaged. I focus on better coordination of infrastructure work and clearer communication so residents know what to expect and experience fewer disruptions. I’ve worked to make development and policy processes easier to navigate, empowering residents to participate early and meaningfully. As Mayor, I will expand digital transparency tools, improve accessibility of information, and ensure consistent two-way communication so City Hall listens as much as it informs.
My top concerns are preserving green space, managing growth responsibly, and building long-term climate resilience. I’ve worked to add wildlife corridors and conservation priorities to our Comprehensive Plan and will continue protecting places like Clear Creek and other natural assets. I support missing-middle housing and transit-oriented development that fits neighborhoods while reducing sprawl and long-term costs. I will advance clean energy and battery storage to lower emissions, improve reliability, and reduce financial risk. I also prioritize blue-green stormwater systems that reduce flooding, protect water quality, and ensure development enhances, rather than degrades, our environment.
My vision is a safe, connected transportation system that gives people real choices - whether they drive, walk, bike, or take transit. I’ve supported bike and pedestrian studies, safer street designs, and better coordination of infrastructure projects across departments. As Mayor, I will prioritize complete streets, transit-oriented development, and improved public transit access that connects people to jobs and services. Coordinating street, utility, and drainage work reduces disruption and saves money. I will also ensure clear, proactive communication so residents understand timelines and impacts. Transportation should improve quality of life, reduce costs, and strengthen connections across our community.
Campaign Phone
9405953449
Education
1992 Denton High School; 1997 BAAS from UNT; 2007 MS in Communication Studies from UNT; 2014 MEd from Concordia University Portland
Occupation
small business owner
I’m running to build the city that built me. As a native Dentonite, mom, and business owner, I believe government should be about neighbors solving problems together. 2026 is a fresh start for Denton. I’ll lead an invitational city where you always have a seat at the table. My goals:
• Prioritize affordable growth for residents, not special interests.
• Build smart, safe infrastructure.
• End pretend listening at City Hall.
• Champion local small & micro-business.
Denton First, Community Always.
I offer a blend of professional expertise and the lived experience of a working Denton parent. With 20+ years as an educator, I specialize in bringing people together to solve problems. As the only candidate with a young child, I navigate the same budget struggles as my neighbors. My service includes the City Charter Review Committee, Interfaith Ministries board, 100 Dentonites who Give a Damn, various committees at First United Methodist Church, and Denton Rotary.
My job as Mayor is to be the lead communicator. That means building real connection, where residents are active partners through traditional & creative engagement. To ensure Denton is citizen-led, I will:
Remove Barriers: Provide childcare at city meetings, offer varied meeting styles, & use tech-driven tools to gather ideas so all can participate.
Host 6 Meet with the Mayor Townhalls per year for face-to-face accountability.
Launch a Budget Sandbox: An online tool where folks test financial scenarios & provide feedback on our priorities.
Reform City Boards, not end them.
Start a Civic Lab: The Lab will offer education & tours to empower residents.
We must end pretend listening and return the power of the City to the neighbors it serves.
My top concern is ensuring Denton’s growth doesn’t cost us our identity or our green spaces. We must move from developer-driven sprawl to community-led growth that respects our land & our taxpayers. I will:
Prioritize Sustainable In-Fill: Focus on revitalizing existing neighborhoods with medium-density builds.
Protect Green Space: Maintain tree preservation & close loopholes that let developers pay fees to avoid building parks because green space protects our watershed and cools our city.
Actually Include Dentonites: Bring neighbors into the planning process early, ensuring development serves our needs for affordability, not just special interests.
Denton can grow without losing its soul, and we can make that happen when we work together.
My vision is a connected city designed for people, not traffic. We cannot simply pave our way through growth; we must build a smarter, neighborhood-centered network. I will:
Promote Centralized Neighborhoods: Encourage development that puts groceries & other needs close to home, reducing commutes & making Denton more walkable.
Invest in Real Bus Routes: End GoZone and use small, efficient buses for dependable rides.
Use Trails as Transit: Build our trail network as a functional transit corridor for bikers & walkers to reach work & school.
Build Infrastructure Early: Require sidewalks & bike lanes during development & focus on proactive street maintenance to avoid high rebuild costs.
By investing in a smarter network, we keep Denton moving.
Education
BA - English, University of North Texas, BS - Integrative Studies, University of North Texas, MA - English, Texas Woman's University
Occupation
Client Navigator
I am running for mayor because of what I have experienced working in Denton. Through my work with students facing housing instability, financial hardship, and immigration barriers, I have learned where our systems fall short. I am running to center affordability and livability, strengthen community connection, and bring accountability to this role. Denton deserves leadership that shows up and invests in the people who already call it home.
I have lived in Denton for over 15 years and in Denton County my entire life. My work in casework, higher education, and advocacy has been rooted in helping people navigate systems that were not built for them. I may not come from a political background, but I am grounded in service and accountability to the people of Denton, not political parties, developers, or corporations.
Open communication has to be a priority. I want to build stronger community networks that create direct, reliable ways for residents to share concerns and ideas with the City Council. Denton has so many people already doing the work, from nonprofits to small businesses to community organizers, and the city should be more active in partnering with them, not working in silos.
That means more intentional outreach, clearer communication channels, and consistent follow through from leadership. When people feel heard, they are more likely to stay engaged.
By investing in these relationships, we can strengthen our social infrastructure in a way that supports affordability, access, and long term stability for the people who need it most.
My top environmental concern is protecting our wildlife and natural spaces. These ecosystems are essential to a healthy Denton, and development should reflect that. When we disrupt habitats, we impact the balance of our environment in ways that come back to affect our whole community. I support preserving green space, strengthening zoning to protect habitats, and prioritizing sustainability as we grow.
We also need to be more thoughtful about how projects like data centers and large developments impact our environment by consulting experts and the community. I want more transparency and public input in these decisions.
If we plan responsibly, we can grow without losing what makes Denton livable.
My vision for transportation in Denton starts with listening to the people who rely on it every day. Students, families, and people experiencing homelessness all say the same thing: accessibility and consistency matter. GoZone has potential to fill gaps, but right now it cannot be relied on during critical times. We need more consistent bus routes, expanded coverage, and safe, accessible stops. As gas prices rise, public transit should be something people can depend on. We are all one flat tire away from needing it. Maps and data are helpful, but they don’t replace the experience of those using the system. By combining community input with data, we can build transportation that truly works for Denton.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCApY7Ed-lXFA65YCAXajEUg
Campaign Phone
940-594-6604
Education
B.S. Major Computer Science, Minor Economics North Texas State University 1983; M.Ed in counseling and Student Service University of North Texas 1992; Doctor of Jurisprudence Texas Weslyan School of Law 2000
Occupation
small business owner
I am running to return proven leadership and solutions to the city council that has been mired in disfunction and inefficiency over the last 5 years.
Denton is at an inflection point. The budget has increased from 1.4 billion in 2021 to 2.5 billion in 2026. An increase of over seventy five percent in five years.
Additionally, taxes, utilities and fees have increase, while cutting funding for our most cherished community events creating hardship. We must re-focus on providing core services
I served as Mayor from 2014-2020 and served as the District Four and At Large Place 6 representative.
I have been a small business owner over 35 years. My education and life experience have created the skill sets necessary to lead the city.
I know the burden of housing insecurity and brief homelessness as a child.
During my previous time as Mayor, we tackled some of the most challenging issues facing our city.
On day one, I will create a new culture of respect, unity, and teamwork.
Having served as Mayor in the past, I know the importance of communication between the residents and city government. The city strives to provide the best possible options for communicating with its residents.
We can always do better. One area is communicating with residents during major construction projects that will impact their neighborhood.
The city initiated a new 311 program recently. It will be important to review the data to ensure acceptable response time for both reporting and resolution of problems.
I would propose creating a policy that would notify residents on ordinances that will impact them, even if not required by law. We currently do that with public hearing but not much else.
I am troubled that current policy seems to favor extending water and sewer services to large developments beyond the city limits. Yet, some decry sprawl.
Extending services beyond our boundaries is the worst kind of sprawl. No tax revenue, virtually no control over the development including environmental and financial concerns. I would initiate a comprehensive conversation to explore the issue.
There seems to be competing interests regarding land development. Some want high density, urban style living. Others prefer a more traditional, single family residential experience. They are not mutually exclusive. We can do both.
Water conservation is critical. I would explore making irrigation systems optional, not mandatory.
One of the major challenges we have faced over the last few years are reconstruction and maintenance of existing roads and construction of new roads. We all have experienced the frustration of each.
It is important to learn lessons from the recent past. City management has admitted that many of the recent issues have been caused by scheduling to many projects in a specific neighborhood. We have to spread the projects around the city instead of focusing on a specific neighborhood.
We must take a harder look at developments that do not have the adequate road infrastructure and traffic flow to support them.
We will examine policy to create a matrix to assist council in determining the impact of new developments on traffic flow.
Candidate has not yet responded.
