In a runoff election marked by questions over candidate eligibility and heightened community scrutiny, Ken Waters and Debrah North emerged victorious.
Both candidates won their respective races for Place 3 and Place 5 on the DeSoto City Council, ushering in a new era of leadership amid ongoing public debate.
The runoff election for DeSoto’s City Council concluded Tuesday, June 7, finalizing winners for Place 3 and Place 5.
Ken Waters secured more than 60% of the vote, defeating Everett Jackson in the Place 3 runoff, according to unofficial results from WFAA.
Jackson faced scrutiny earlier in the race over unresolved felony documentation during candidate qualification appeals, but the challenge did not affect the outcome.
In the Place 5 race, Debrah North, a local zoning board member, edged out Wil E. Adams Jr. with about 52% of the vote.
North’s community work, including caregiving and planning initiatives, may have swayed the closely contested race.
No candidate in either race cleared 50% in the May 3 general election, triggering the runoff under the city charter.
With Waters (Place 3) and North (Place 5) elected, they will join Mayor Rachel Proctor and the council to oversee DeSoto’s governance, including infrastructure and community planning.
Swearing-In and Reception:
The city will honor outgoing council members Nicole Raphiel (Place 3) and Dr. Dinah Marks (Place 5) at a special reception on Monday, June 16, at the Jim Baugh Government Center.
A swearing-in ceremony for the new council members will precede the event at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Atrium. The public is invited to attend.
DeSoto Tribune Staff