Mansfield voter’s guide for the mayor’s race in the May 3 election
Voters in Mansfield will decide the mayor’s race and three spots on the City Council: Places 1, 2 and 5. Early voting for the May 3 elections is from April 22-29.
Michael Evans
Age: 58
Campaign website: evansformansfield.com
Best way for voters to reach you: Website
Occupation: Clergy
Education: B.A. Political Science, UT Arlington, M.Div. Texas Christian (Brite Divinity School), D.Min. Baylor University (Truett Theological Seminary)
Have you run for elected office before?
Mansfield ISD School Board Trustee(2007-2017), Tarrant County College Trustee (2017-2021), Mayor City of Mansfield (2021-Present)
Please list the highlights of your civic involvement/activism in the city of Mansfield.
Mansfield ISD Board Trustee (President), Tarrant Habitat For Humanity Board Mbr, Local Pastor for 34 yrs., Co-Chair of Tarrant County pt.2 Health Care Advisory Comm, Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (Mansfield Chapter), Founder of Historic West Mansfield Texas Community Development Corp., Former Member of Mansfield Chamber of Commerce, Member of Mansfield Business Alliance, Executive Board Mbr. Arlington MLK Celebration Comm., Former Chairman of Mansfield Based Texas Commission on Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
Have you ever been arrested, charged with a crime or otherwise been part of a criminal proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No
Have you been involved in a civil lawsuit or bankruptcy proceeding? If yes, please explain:
No
Who are your top three campaign contributors?
The Candidate
Why are you seeking this office?
I want to continue to work of enhancing the quality of life of the residents of the city of Mansfield, TX. In my first four years in office, we lowered the tax rate to a 35 year low, raise the Homestead Exemption to 16% on our way to the 20% state max allowed, began the construction of our Veterans Memorial Park, purchased and additional 100 acres of nature preserve park land, earned the recognition as “The Safest City in North Texas,” Recognized at the Best CIty Council Team in Texas 2023, began construction on our new voter approved multi-sport professional stadium, broke ground on our new Town Center Complex and canals...I want to continue the work that we have started in our growing city.
If elected, what would your top 3 policy priorities be?
(1) Focusing always on Public Safety and the care of our Police and First Responders, (2) Continue to invest in our city’s infrastructure of building and maintaining streets, water, and sewer, (3)Lowering the tax rate to a historic low, expanding our parks and trails by attracting STEM employers, destination restaurants and retail to our city, this supports our tax base.
How will you measure your success?
I will measure my success as a returning Mayor by (1) Retaining the “Safe City designation, (2) Lowering our tax rate to a historic low (3) Completing the construction of the new city hall and town center complex (4) Expanding our Parks and Trails (5) Developing Community Gathering Spaces (6) Taming traffic congestion (7) Making Mansfield a place where people of all ages can enjoy good retail and grocer experiences, restaurants and recreation.
Why should voters choose you over your opponents?
Michael Evans is a proven leader who has served the Mansfield community for 36yrs. I am a consensus builder who serves every facet of the community despite ideological differences, race, or religion. I see people not political partisans.
Julie Short
Did not respond