Dallas Sample Ballot & Voter Guide 2026

Albert Zapanta is Chairman and Owner of Planning, Inc., a human resources,. Albert Zapanta is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records. Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates; this summary is based on official filings, campaign materials, and public reporting available for the 2026 cycle.

Priorities: Albert Zapanta is Chairman and Owner of Planning, Inc., a human resources, · Albert Zapanta is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records · Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates

Dave Jimenez - Ballotpedia Dave Jimenez is running for election for an at-large seat of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District in Texas. Jimenez <strong declared candidacy for the general election scheduled on May 2, 2026</strong .[source]. Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates.

Priorities: Dave Jimenez - Ballotpedia Dave Jimenez is running for election for an at-large seat of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District in Texas · Jimenez <strong declared candidacy for the general election scheduled on May 2, 2026</strong .[source] · Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates

Cinthya Noda is a candidate for the Carrollton-Farmers Branch. Cinthya Noda is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records. Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates; this summary is based on official filings, campaign materials, and public reporting available for the 2026 cycle.

Priorities: Cinthya Noda is a candidate for the Carrollton-Farmers Branch · Cinthya Noda is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records · Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates

Information regarding Luis Palomo's professional background, education, and experience is not. Luis Palomo is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records. Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates.

Priorities: Information regarding Luis Palomo's professional background, education, and experience is not · Luis Palomo is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records · Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates

Carolyn Benavides is an at-large member of the Carrollton-Farmers Branch Independent School District in Texas. She assumed office on December 2, 2021, and her current term ends in 2026. Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates.

Priorities: priority one · priority two · priority three

Shayan Elahi is an attorney who graduated from the University of Central Florida and. Shayan Elahi is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records. Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates.

Priorities: Shayan Elahi is an attorney who graduated from the University of Central Florida and · Shayan Elahi is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records · Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates

Jesseca E. Lightbourne is an assistant professor who earned her Ph.D. in public administration in 2016. She ran for election to the Dallas City Council to represent District 3 in Texas in 2025, where she lost in the general election. Lightbourne is also a published scholar on topics including affordable housing, food deserts, and emergency management.

Priorities: Affordable housing · Economic development · Lack of essential resources

Kendal Richardson ran for election to the Dallas City Council to represent District 11 in Texas. Richardson participated in the general election on May 3, 2025, but did not advance to the runoff election.

Avis Hardaman is a former teacher who ran for election to the Dallas City Council to represent District 4 in Texas. She was a candidate in the general election held on May 3, 2025.

Priorities: Unite · Educate · Empower

O'Neil Hesson was a first-time candidate who ran for election to the Dallas City Council to represent District 7 in Texas, losing in the general election on May 3, 2025. A local non-profit owner, Hesson completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025.

Priorities: Community justice · Neighborhood defense and improvement · Housing remediation

Lamar "Yaka" Jefferson, also known as Delmar Lamar Jefferson, was a candidate for Dallas City Council, representing District 7. He ran in the general election on May 3, 2025, and was not elected.

Ruth Steward ran for election to the Dallas City Council to represent District 8 in Texas in 2025. She was a candidate in the general election held on May 3, 2025, but did not win the race.

Nicolas "Nico" Quintanilla ran for election to the Dallas City Council to represent District 6 in Texas in 2025. He is also known for founding the Young Latino Democrats of Dallas.

Sirrano Keith Baldeo is a publisher and perennial candidate who has run for the Dallas City Council District 10 seat multiple times, including in 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025. Running as a nonpartisan candidate, Baldeo is known for publishing Dallas Pulse News and has previously accused city leaders of incompetence and corruption. He moved to Dallas in 2016 from Paterson, New Jersey, where he also published a newspaper

Priorities: Fighting incompetence and corruption at city hall · Ensuring proper government operations · Improving district representation

Sarah Weinberg is a member of the Dallas Independent School District (DISD). Sarah Weinberg is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records. Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates; this summary is based on official filings, campaign materials, and public reporting available for the 2026 cycle.

Priorities: Sarah Weinberg is a member of the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) · Sarah Weinberg is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records · Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates

No professional background, education, or experience details are available in the provided research. Amber Luckey is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records. Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates.

Priorities: No professional background, education, or experience details are available in the provided research · Amber Luckey is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records · Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates

Gloria Carrillo is a member of the Grand Prairie Independent School District school board in Texas, representing At-large Place 3. She assumed office in 2017 and her current term ends in 2026. Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates.

Priorities: priority one · priority two · priority three

No biographical information available from the provided research text. Wendell Davidson is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records. Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates; this summary is based on official filings, campaign materials, and public reporting available for the 2026 cycle.

Priorities: No biographical information available from the provided research text · Wendell Davidson is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records · Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates

Barry Wernick is a Dallas-area resident, father, and practicing attorney-mediator-arbitrator with experience in conflict resolution and public service, including as a precinct chair and election judge. A Republican, he has sought office for Dallas County Commissioner District 2 and previously for Texas House District 108, advocating for conservative values in local government.

Priorities: Bringing transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility to county government. · Securing elections with fully auditable results and addressing election integrity issues. · Ending wasteful spending, cutting taxes, and conducting forensic audits of county budgets.

Elba Garcia is a Dallas County Commissioner for District 4 in Texas, first elected in 2010 and assuming office in 2011. A dentist and small business owner, she immigrated from Mexico City and previously served on the Dallas City Council. She is noted as the first Latino/a to serve on the Dallas County Commissioner's Court.

Priorities: Keeping Dallas County affordable · Improving public health access · Ensuring smart, sustainable infrastructure and trails

Andrew Sommerman is a Democratic Dallas County Commissioner for District 2, first elected in November 2022. A longtime resident of Dallas County and an experienced trial lawyer, Sommerman has advocated for victims and taken on pro bono voter protection cases. He aims to apply his leadership skills to manage public healthcare, innovate public infrastructure, and ensure efficient use of taxpayer dollars.

Priorities: Mental Health Services · Dallas County Employee Recruitment and Retention · Civil and Criminal Justice

Elba Garcia Dallas County Commissioner Elba Garcia Dallas County Commissioner [...] Dr. Elba Garcia has kept Dallas County tax rates low, while expanding housing, healthcare, infrastructure, and criminal justice reforms, all to build a stronger Dallas County for everyone. [...] “Public service isn’t about headlines — it’s about hard work, compassion, and results that matter.” — Dr.

Priorities: Elba Garcia Dallas County Commissioner Elba Garcia Dallas County Commissioner [...] Dr · Elba Garcia has kept Dallas County tax rates low, while expanding housing, healthcare, infrastructure, and criminal justice reforms, all to build a stronger Dallas County for everyone · [...] “Public service isn’t about headlines — it’s about hard work, compassion, and results that matter.” — Dr

Elba Garcia [...] During her service, Dr. Elba Garcia has put the community first, never raising county property taxes while driving major progress in housing, healthcare, transportation, and transparency. From expanding access to affordable homes to improving our parks, roads, and trails, she’s delivered practical solutions that touch every corner of District 4.

Priorities: Elba Garcia [...] During her service, Dr · Elba Garcia has put the community first, never raising county property taxes while driving major progress in housing, healthcare, transportation, and transparency · From expanding access to affordable homes to improving our parks, roads, and trails, she’s delivered practical solutions that touch every corner of District 4

Gabriel Kissinger is a candidate for Dallas City Council District 6. A pet and family photographer, he previously worked as a kennel manager and lead researcher for iVoterGuide, and currently serves as an HOA board member in District 6. Kissinger moved to the Dallas-Fort Worth area in 2016, having grown up in Southeast Louisiana and attended film school in Pennsylvania.

Priorities: Public Safety · Fiscal Responsibility · Infrastructure

Laura Cadena is a 4th-generation Texan and lifelong Dallas resident who was elected to the Dallas City Council, representing District 6, on May 3, 2025. A Baylor graduate, she previously served nearly eight years at City Hall, including as Chief of Staff for Dallas City Council District 6, gaining a deep understanding of local government and community needs.

Priorities: Public safety · Affordable housing · Maintaining and expanding Dallas parks and improving regional air quality

Kejal Patel We cannot provide a description for this page right now Home Kejal Campaign <strong With roots in local small business leadership, Kejal believes in bringing listening, collaboration, and common-sense solutions to City Hall</strong . She is committed to fiscal responsibility, public safety, smart growth, and empowering residents to shape the future of their city.

Priorities: Kejal Patel We cannot provide a description for this page right now Home Kejal Campaign <strong With roots in local small business leadership, Kejal believes in bringing listening, collaboration, and common-sense solutions to City Hall</strong · She is committed to fiscal responsibility, public safety, smart growth, and empowering residents to shape the future of their city · ICTN Candidate Forum - Kejal Patel - YouTube Irving City Council General Election: May 2The office of the Mayor and City Council district places 3, 5 and 6 are up for election

Tammam Alwan is a candidate for Irving City Council, Place 3. Tammam Alwan is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records. Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates; this summary is based on official filings, campaign materials, and public reporting available for the 2026 cycle.

Priorities: Tammam Alwan is a candidate for Irving City Council, Place 3 · Tammam Alwan is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records · Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates

No professional background, education, or experience details are available in the provided research text. Mary Dominguez-Santini is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records. Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates.

Priorities: No professional background, education, or experience details are available in the provided research text · Mary Dominguez-Santini is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records · Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates

Rodney Anderson is a candidate for the Grand Prairie City Council At-large Place 8 in Texas. He previously served as a member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 105, assuming office in 2015. Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates.

Priorities: Safe neighborhoods · Reliable infrastructure · Responsible use of taxpayer dollars

Joe Carreón is a Dallas Independent School District Trustee for District 8, and a proud product of Dallas ISD schools. As the first in his family to graduate high school and college, he holds degrees from Southern Methodist University and Harvard Kennedy School of Government. Carreón, a practicing attorney, is committed to ensuring educational opportunities are accessible to all children.

Priorities: Ensuring accessible educational opportunities for all children · Preparing students for post-graduation success and college readiness · Empowering children and residents through quality education

Sarah Weinberg is a member of the Dallas Independent School District, representing District 2 since June 2023. A product of public schools, she has dedicated herself to public education as a community volunteer and advocate since retiring from a career in finance. She has also served in numerous governance positions for non-profit organizations throughout North Texas.

Priorities: Prioritize Student Outcomes by focusing on education policies that work like early childhood education, pay-for-performance compensation, and socio-economic integration of schools. · Enlist Parent & Community involvement to drive policy decisions that impact the academic success of children. · Drive innovation to ensure all children have economic mobility in their lives by leveraging P-Tech partnerships, accessible pathways, and an emphasis on career, college and military readiness.

Winnetka K. Smith-Alford is a nonpartisan candidate for the Dallas Independent School District, representing District 2. She is on the ballot for the general election scheduled for May 2, 2026.

Priorities: Advocating for fiscal responsibility, including zero-based budgeting, waste elimination, and no new tax-raising measures. · Expanding career and technical education (CTE) and dual-credit pathways, alongside building employer partnerships. · Improving mental health services by reallocating staff and strengthening coordination with external partners.

Stephen Poole is running for election to the Dallas Independent School District to represent District 6 in Texas. He is on the ballot in the general election on May 2, 2026, as a nonpartisan candidate.

Priorities: Independent · People-Powered · Anti-Corruption

Joyce Foreman was elected to the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees, representing District 6, in June 2014, and her current term ends in 2026. As a business owner and community leader, she uses her experience to shape Dallas ISD, impacting students, teachers, and staff. She has served on the Dallas ISD Bond Advisory Committee since 2002 and is passionate about preparing students to be their best.

Priorities: Shaping Dallas ISD in District 6 and throughout the district · Directly impacting students, teachers, and staff · Preparing students to be the best and brightest

Provide a 150-300 character biography summarizing the candidate's. Michelle Madden is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records. Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates; this summary is based on official filings, campaign materials, and public reporting available for the 2026 cycle.

Priorities: Provide a 150-300 character biography summarizing the candidate's · Michelle Madden is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records · Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates

Susan Williams won election in the special general election for Mesquite Independent School District school board. Susan Williams is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records. Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates.

Priorities: Susan Williams won election in the special general election for Mesquite Independent School District school board · Susan Williams is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records · Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates

Scott Griggs served four terms on the Dallas City Council (2011-. Scott Griggs's policy positions are summarized from available public sources. Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates; this summary is based on official filings, campaign materials, and public reporting available for the 2026 cycle.

Priorities: Scott Griggs served four terms on the Dallas City Council (2011- · Scott Griggs's policy positions are summarized from available public sources · Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates

Abdul Khabeer serves on the Irving City Council in Texas, representing Place 3 since June 20, 2023. He secured his seat by defeating the incumbent in a runoff election, winning with 66.2% of the vote. Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates.

Priorities: priority one · priority two · priority three

Gabriel Kissinger, a Dallas City Council District 6 candidate, earned an. Gabriel Kissinger's policy positions are summarized from available public sources. Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates; this summary is based on official filings, campaign materials, and public reporting available for the 2026 cycle.

Priorities: Gabriel Kissinger, a Dallas City Council District 6 candidate, earned an · Gabriel Kissinger's policy positions are summarized from available public sources · Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates

Olivia Novelo Abreu - Ballotpedia The general election will occur on <strong May 2, 2026</strong . Olivia Novelo Abreu (Nonpartisan), Zhanae Jackson (Nonpartisan), and Albert Zapanta (Nonpartisan) are running in the general election for Mayor of Irving on <strong May 2, 2026</strong . Mayoral election in Irving, Texas (2026) - Ballotpedia The general election will occur on <strong May 2, 2026</strong .

Priorities: Olivia Novelo Abreu - Ballotpedia The general election will occur on <strong May 2, 2026</strong · Olivia Novelo Abreu (Nonpartisan), Zhanae Jackson (Nonpartisan), and Albert Zapanta (Nonpartisan) are running in the general election for Mayor of Irving on <strong May 2, 2026</strong · Mayoral election in Irving, Texas (2026) - Ballotpedia The general election will occur on <strong May 2, 2026</strong

Gabriel Kissinger holds a high school diploma from Ponchatoula High School and an associate degree from the Douglas Education Center, earned in 2015. Gabriel Kissinger is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records. Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates.

Priorities: priority one · priority two · priority three

Laura Cadena serves as a member of the Dallas City Council in Texas, representing District 6. She began her term on June 16, 2025, bringing her experience to municipal governance. Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates.

Priorities: priority one · priority two · priority three

Winnetka Smith-Al is listed in Ballot Brief election research. Winnetka Smith-Al is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records. Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates; this summary is based on official filings, campaign materials, and public reporting available for the 2026 cycle.

Priorities: Winnetka Smith-Al is listed in Ballot Brief election research · Winnetka Smith-Al is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records · Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates

Fahad Ahmed is an entrepreneur running for Irving City Council, District 6. He is competing for the seat currently held by Al Zapanta, who is running for mayor. Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates.

Priorities: Safer Communities · Responsible Growth · Transparent Leadership

Zhanae Jackson is a candidate for Mayor of Irving in Texas, participating in the. Zhanae Jackson is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records. Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates.

Priorities: Zhanae Jackson is a candidate for Mayor of Irving in Texas, participating in the · Zhanae Jackson is associated with the Nonpartisan party in available records · Voters should review official campaign and election office sources for the latest updates

Elba Garcia Dallas County Commissioner Her next term will focus on three priorities: <strong keeping Dallas County affordable, improving public health access, and ensuring smart, sustainable infrastructure and trails that connects our communities safely and efficiently</strong .

Priorities: Elba Garcia Dallas County Commissioner Her next term will focus on three priorities: <strong keeping Dallas County affordable, improving public health access, and ensuring smart, sustainable infrastructure and trails that connects our communities safely and efficiently</strong · Elba Garcia, Dallas County Commissioner <strong Garcia has always dedicated herself to community service and began her service in public office in 2001, when she was elected to the Dallas City Council to represent the residents of District 1.</strong While serving on the Dallas City Council, Dr · Garcia was instrumental in steering a number of important ..