Dallas Mayor's Race Goes To A Runoff With Eric Johnson, Scott Griggs

The race for Dallas mayor isn’t over yet. Democratic State Rep. Eric Johnson will face Dallas City Council member Scott Griggs in a June 8 runoff.

The two got the most votes out of a crowded field of nine candidates.

Up until Saturday night’s election results, there had been no clear front-runner, although Johnson was among the biggest fundraisers as he split his time legislating during the session in Austin and campaigning in Dallas.

With nine candidates in the mayor’s race, a runoff was almost guaranteed.

Johnson got about 20% of the vote, the most of any mayoral candidate.

Election night in East Dallas, with wife Nikki by his side, Johnson said his message of inclusion earned him a spot in the runoff.

“We have not run a campaign that’s focused on one narrow sliver of the city, no one particular demographic – we’ve focused on the entire city of Dallas,” Johnson said. “It’s the city that both of us grew up in. We love it; we’re natives. Our parents are from here. We love this city and we want to make this the greatest city it can be.”

In Deep Ellum, Griggs, a Dallas City Council member, celebrated with his supporters.

Griggs came in a close second – he had about 18% of the vote. He said his message won’t change in the next month, and he’s confident it’ll win him this election.

“I think our message is going to continue to resonate, about accountability and transparency, safe, strong neighborhoods,” Griggs said. “And the essentials: high wages for our police officers and firefighters, taking care of our streets our parks, our rec centers.”

The winner replaces Mike Rawlings, who is term-limited.

Other top vote-getters from Saturday's election included Lynn McBee, CEO of an education nonprofit, in third with 14%, and developer Mike Ablon in fourth with nearly 14%.