A Look Back at the Mayoral Candidates

For just the seventh time in Richardson's history, voters get to vote for mayor. Three of those races were uncontested. Three offered a choice between two candidates. In 2025, for the first time in Richardson's history, voters will get to choose among three candidates. It's still early in the campaign. We've had no forums. We've had no campaign mailers, robocalls or text messages. Social media campaigns have barely begun.

I thought now would be a good time to research the archives for what I said about these candidates when they ran for City Council before. For Alan North, I chose 2011, the one and only time he filed to run for office. For Amir Omar, I also chose 2011, the first time he ran for re-election. For Bob Dubey, I chose 2019, the first time he ran for re-election. I found it interesting what I wrote in those more innocent times.

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Alan North

In 2011, Alan North ran for City Council. Here's what I had to say then about his candidacy:

Alan North filed to run, then didn't. No fundraising. No campaign expenditures. No forum appearances. Nothing. He didn't have the decency to withdraw or announce a suspension of his (non-)campaign. He just wasted everyone's time.

Source: The Wheel.

Alan North is campaigning in 2025. At least, he's commenting online. He may be doing other things that candidates do that I am not aware of. If he has something to say, time is running out to say it.

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Amir Omar

In 2011, Amir Omar ran for re-election to City Council. Here is what I had to say then about his candidacy:

Amir Omar has a list of civic involvement the length of your arm, and not just honorary committee memberships, but chairman and co-founder of several programs. He has successfully promoted Richardson throughout North Texas through programs like "Tree the Town", "WildRide! WildRun! Against Cancer," and "Spirit Run 5k." He recognizes that Richardson's top priorities are revitalization, economic development and recruiting young professionals to live and work in Richardson.

Source: The Wheel.

I think what I said in 2011 has aged well. Amir Omar's volunteerism is still strong. His priorities in 2025 are broader than 2011, with protecting and investing in our neighborhoods appearing on the top of his list of priorities.

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Bob Dubey

In 2019, I listed what mattered most to me when voting: "First and foremost, a recognition that the reputation of the entire City, not just one person's, was seriously damaged by the bribery scandal, accompanied by a belief that reform is needed to restore trust in City government."

Here is what I said then about Bob Dubey's candidacy:

Bob Dubey has been a respectable city council member for two years. Before his tenure, the City experienced the worst scandal in its history. Its Code of Ethics proved totally inadequate. Nothing has been done about that and Dubey says no changes are needed now. I wish he would have had some ideas for reform.

Source: The Wheel.

I still wish Mayor Dubey would have some ideas for reform, of our Code of Ethics or for anything. He may think Richardson is a great place to live (I agree), but where are his ideas for continuous improvement in any area? He was the stand-pat candidate then. He is still the stand-pat candidate.

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"From the archives' depth,
Records of days gone by.
Has anything changed?"
—h/t ChatGPT