Arlington Mayor Jim Ross outlines priorities for second term after winning reelection

Amanda McCoy/amccoy@star-telegram.com

Incumbent Mayor Jim Ross won a narrow victory over his opponent in the race for Arlington mayor, securing a second term where he’s focused on job creation.

“It was a close race, but very happy with the victory and look forward to serving the residents of Arlington for the next three years,” he said.

Ross and Amy Cearnal, a Realtor, were vying to lead the city of nearly 400,000 people. With all vote centers reporting, Ross has 51.9% of the votes to Cernal’s 48.2%.

Ross, a lawyer and restaurant owner, was elected as Arlington mayor in 2021.

“Day One of Term Two is the same thing as Day One of Term One: Jobs, Jobs, Jobs,” Ross he said. “We want to bring bigger and better jobs.”

Ross said more growth would help with housing, homelessness, crime rates and schools.

“It helps with everything,” he said. Later adding, “the more good paying jobs we can bring in Arlington so people can live, eat, work and play right here in Arlington, the better we like it. So that’s really the priority. It always has been. It always will be.”

Other priorities included were education, public health and safety, transportation and road maintenance, and housing, including lowering property taxes, according to his campaign website.

Cearnal, a Realtor, told the Star-Telegram editorial board she entered the race because she wasn’t satisfied that Ross hadn’t drawn a challenger. Even though she didn’t win, Cernal said in a Saturday interview she’s thrilled to have brought accountability to the seat.

“We ran a good race,” she said. “We did exactly what we intended to do, which was to make sure that the residents were able to not feel bullied into one decision.”

Cearnal received about $116,800 in contributions — $100,000 of which came from two donors — during the latest reported campaign finance period covering March 28 through April 26. Ross reported about $39,300 in contributions for the same period.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

Advertisement