Incumbent Nikkie Hunter, who works in health care administration, was first elected in 2021. She replaced Marvin Sutton, who ran for mayor instead of a second term, then for Tarrant County Judge.
Sutton said he decided to run again after three neighborhoods in the district lost heat during freezing temperatures. Hunter initially planned a town hall with Atmos Energy representatives and the public. However, the meeting was scaled down to a discussion with city officials, the company and a neighborhood representative.
Sutton said in a phone interview he would鈥檝e handled things differently.
鈥淚f you鈥檙e going to really try to solve problems, you鈥檙e going to try to solve it without having people yelling and screaming in the room,鈥� he said. 鈥淎nd all that was going to be is people venting in that room.鈥�
Among his platforms for the May 6 election, Sutton has listed lowering property taxes, job creation through economic development, bolstering public safety through technology and neighborhood watch groups, upgrading infrastructure and transparency in environmental policies.
During his first term, Sutton pushed for greater distances between natural gas drilling and day care centers. Before joining council, he also campaigned in favor of term limits that initially restricted council members to three, two-year terms. Voters approved a change in November that lengthened terms to three years.
Hunter, who works in health care, has campaigned on safe neighborhoods, lower taxes, street conditions, community relationships, funding law enforcement and supporting small businesses. She said in an early March interview that her accomplishments in road safety include adding a streetlight to Raglan Road and pedestrian crossings on Mansfield Road and South Collins Street.
Hunter also says she鈥檚 hosted a record number of town halls and neighborhood meetings during her first term.
鈥淲e do them once a month, and I have made house calls," Hunter said.
Sutton said Hunter鈥檚 town hall meetings, while frequent, lacked focus.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 know if that was the best use of taxpayers鈥� dollars because sometimes, you鈥檙e using staff and facilities,鈥� he said. 鈥淚f you鈥檙e going to call a meeting, the meeting has to have purpose.鈥�
Both candidates have discussed their election history. Sutton has run since 2007; Hunter won her first election for public office. She used the fact to her advantage during a March Arlington Republican Club Group forum said.
鈥淭he biggest difference between us, I鈥檓 just gonna be blunt: I ran one time, I stayed in office. My opponent has run several times, and he basically stepped down for something bigger,鈥� Hunter said.
Sutton ran for mayor in a crowded 2021 race, Tarrant County Judge in 2022, and several Arlington City Council campaigns, said those failed campaigns have taught him how to fight.
鈥淚 learned to keep the faith and I learned to focus,鈥� Sutton said.
District 3 covers Arlington east of Matlock Road and south of Pioneer Parkway. The district includes Arlington Municipal Airport, the Arlington Highlands and Tarrant County College. Early voting in Tarrant County runs . Election day is May 6.
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