It's an incredibly interesting race, for political dorks...
Lots of old money in Plano hates the mayor for bringing in companies like Toyota America, Liberty Mutual, Boeing, etc...they want to keep it a small suburb.
The mayor (who I was campaign manager for two years ago and has two years left on his term) has a bigger vision of making Plano a thriving business friendly city.
- There are racial components, the mayor being a black Republican, but grew up in Harlem...and the older folks, who are mostly Tea Party, think he wants to turn it into Harlem South.
- There are economic components, a lot of big money outside developers have given us money.
- There are religious components, the other side is largely funded by a group of outside West Texas oil billionaire religous fanatics that want to do away with the equal right ordinance...and one of the four candidates I have is a Muslim, and opposition fears Sharia Law.
None of which are rare in a poltical race...but for a city this size in such a close proximity, it is.
Usually I have large statewide races, where it isn't a very personal neighbor v. neighbor, never talk to each other again situation.
And like I said, there is A LOT of money on both sides being thrown at the race. Unique situation...very dirty, but I love it. If there was usually this much money in municipal races, I would have no problem doing it exclusively. For the most part on bigger state, US races, I have to refrain from talking **** on Facebook, in the press, etc...here it is required.
The good news, I have four candidates...we went 2-0 on Election Day last month. The other two are in a runoff. I am confident we get at least one, so the mayor keeps majority on council. Good chance at both.
I absolutely love Plano as a city...the mayor had the vision to attract these companies and young tax base. I come from a similar sized city in NC, and once RJ Reynolds Tobacco basically died, the young professionals fled for the most part.
And yes, I realize pretty much no one read all of that.
