By Shelley Kofler, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-967578.mp3
Dallas, TX – Early voting continues through Tuesday for local elections May 14.
In Dallas the race for mayor is too close to call and may end up in a runoff. Former Pizza Hut CEO Mike Rawlings, the leading fundraiser, is in a tight contest with Former Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle and Councilmember Ron Natinsky.
A number of voters casting their ballots in Oak Cliff cited city spending as a concern. Paul Cardarella says he wants a mayor who won't raise taxes.
Cardarella: What's important to me is a mayor who understands how to run a budget. We've had too many people who think we can continue to spend without being held accountable for it.
Venus Frank wants a mayor who will protect public safety without raising taxes.
Frank: Right now they are wanting to cut things for the civil service department, the fire, the police and the hospitals. We need to figure out a way to get a better budget to bring more business in so we do not cut anything.
The five-way race for Fort Worth Mayor is also a tossup.
Tonight at 6pm KERA public radio will air a special half hour on the mayoral races in Dallas and Fort Worth. The KERA News team and analysts will take a look at the candidates, the issues and what's at stake. Electing the Mayors airs at 6pm on KERA 90.1.