DALLAS - Former Dallas police Chief David Kunkle declared Monday he is a candidate for mayor and has filed the necessary paperwork to start raising money.
Last week, he surprised many political observers by indicating he was thinking of running. Monday, he appeared at the city secretary's office to file a document naming former Dallas Democratic State Representative Steve Wolens as his campaign treasurer. Wolens is the husband of former Dallas Mayor Laura Miller.
I think they need leadership and experience that I have both of, and to help bring this city together around issues north and south and also deal with our upcoming budget process, Kunkle said of taking his first steps to run.
With the city facing an up to $91-million gap in next year's budget starting October 1, Kunkle addressed his first issue. He said he would not support a tax rate increase.
Businesses and homeowners need a certainty of what their expenses are going to be and you make cuts but then you have to establish priorities, he said. Those priorities have to be in the areas of streets and public safety and fire and sanitation, and then everything else is less important than that.
Another candidate who says he is firmly in the race is Dallas City Council member Ron Natinsky. Dallas Park Board President Mike Rawlings and City Council member Angela Hunt are also thinking of joining the race.
Candidate file starts February 14 and runs through March 14th. The election is May 14th with a June runoff if necessary.
