A Pair of Incumbents Face One-on-One Races in Far East Dallas D9 and Lake Highlands D10

Though their districts may be near each other, Paula Blackmon in Far East Dallas faces very different challenges than Kathy Stewart does in Lake Highlands. The incumbent Blackmon is hoping for a fourth term as District 9 city councilwoman and is facing challenger Ernest P. Banda. Incumbent Stewart is seeking a second term as District 10’s council member, facing challenger Sirrano Keith Baldeo, who ran against her two years ago.

As a real estate-focused news outlet, CandysDirt.com is asking candidates about the housing issues their district neighborhoods face — and the more difficult question, what can be done as a city council member to improve housing affordability in Dallas.

May 3 Election: If you’re not sure what your city council district is, you can search your address for your city council district on the City of Dallas website. Alternatively, visit the city’s ArcGIS map to search your City of Dallas address.

CandysDirt.com extended these questions to each Dallas City Council candidate, offering them the opportunity to speak directly to our readers and their constituents.

Here are unedited and unabridged responses for Paula Blackmon and Kathy Stewart. Their respective opponents did not respond to our questions.

District 9
Paula Blackmon: District 9 is experiencing a critical shortage of affordable housing options that cater to our long-time residents and the essential workers—teachers, police officers, nurses, and service professionals—who form the backbone of our community. Rising property values and a limited supply of diverse housing stock have led to increased displacement and reduced choices for families. The need for mixed-income developments and workforce housing is more urgent than ever to maintain the vibrancy and inclusivity of our neighborhoods.

Drawing on my extensive experience on the Dallas City Council, I have consistently worked to improve our community while lowering taxes every year, easing the financial burden on residents. I secured $20 million in bond funding for critical projects like White Rock Lake dredging, proving that strategic investments can lead to transformative change. At the council level, I will continue to:

Modernize Zoning and Permitting: Reform codes to encourage innovative housing solutions, from modest homes and duplexes to mixed-income developments.

Leverage Bond Funding: Use bond dollars to invest in affordable housing projects, similar to our success with White Rock Lake.

Incentivize Mixed-Income Developments: Promote policies that require or encourage affordable units in new developments, ensuring that everyone can benefit from our community’s growth.

By building on my track record of fiscal responsibility—evidenced by consistent tax reductions—and strategic community investments, I will work tirelessly to ensure that District 9 has safe, stable, and affordable housing for all.

District 10
Kathy Stewart: A May 2021 City of Dallas Memorandum reports that District 10 has 36,854 housing units that are considered affordable for households with incomes that fall within the 30%, 60% and 80% Average Median Income levels. This is more affordable housing than any other district in the city. The primary housing need in our district is for residents looking to downsize into smaller homes.

District 9
Paula Blackmon: An appeals court has allowed short-term rentals to continue operating in Dallas for now, underscoring the legal and practical challenges involved in regulating this issue. To effectively address these challenges, Dallas should adopt a balanced, neighborhood-by-neighborhood approach that empowers local communities while ensuring legal robustness.
Key components of this approach include:

Registration and Taxation: Require all short-term rental properties to register with the city and pay the appropriate taxes, such as hotel occupancy taxes, ensuring transparency and accountability.

Clear, Enforceable Regulations: Develop standards that address occupancy limits, noise control, and other potential nuisances. These regulations must be carefully crafted so they can withstand legal scrutiny, as demonstrated by recent court decisions.

Community Engagement: Involve neighborhood associations in the decision-making process to tailor rules that reflect the specific needs and character of each area, ensuring that residential quality of life is maintained.

By leveraging my commitment to transparency and community-driven decision-making, I will work to refine our regulatory framework so that it both supports the economic benefits of short-term rentals and protects the integrity of our neighborhoods.

District 10
Kathy Stewart: I believe it is important to prevent short-term rentals from disrupting neighborhood life. These rentals often draw large gatherings, bringing in more people and vehicles than the propety is designed to handle. The City must do everything it can to protect its neighborhoods.

District 9
Paula Blackmon: Do you have any lingering concerns regarding the passage of the ForwardDallas 2.0 comprehensive land use plan update?
I support the overall vision of ForwardDallas 2.0 as a vital framework for guiding sustainable and equitable growth in our city. However, I believe there are still a few areas where the plan needs additional attention.

While ForwardDallas 2.0 marks a significant step forward, the compromises required for its passage mean that some key issues—particularly those involving affordable housing, robust community engagement, and neighborhood character—are not yet fully resolved. My primary concern is ensuring that this plan remains flexible and responsive as we move from adoption to implementation. We need concrete strategies to guarantee that ForwardDallas 2.0 truly addresses the diverse needs of our residents, from expanding affordable housing options to maintaining the integrity of our neighborhoods.

Given my track record—lowering taxes each year on council, securing substantial investments like the $20 million for White Rock Lake dredging, and prioritizing transparency at City Hall—I intend to closely monitor how ForwardDallas 2.0 is rolled out. This means working with city staff, community groups, and fellow councilmembers to advocate for refinements as necessary. However, none of these potential improvements can be fully realized until our current ordinance works its way through the legal system. Ultimately, while I believe ForwardDallas 2.0 lays a strong foundation, it’s crucial that we continue to engage with the community and remain open to evolving the plan so that our land use policies truly serve the best interests of all Dallas residents.

District 10
Kathy Stewart: I was part of the group that helped develop a last minute compromise for ForwardDallas 2.0, specifically addressing how single family homes are addressed in the plan. I believe it is essential for existing neighborhoods to preserve their character and have a meaningful voice when changes are proposed. Recently, a neighborhood in District 10 held a community meeting on a zoning change, with 75-100 people in attendance. The majority opposed the change and I will support the community’s decision.

District 9
Paula Blackmon: Public Safety:
Enhanced Policing & Enforcement: Increase the police budget to secure a larger, well-equipped police presence and improve street lighting. This enhances community policing initiatives and helps deter crime.
Combating Speeding: In East Dallas, I’ve worked closely with the Dallas Police Department and Police Chief Eddie Garcia and now interim Chief Igo to tackle speeding—a significant public safety issue. Through increased enforcement, strategic placement of traffic calming measures, and community education, we’re making our streets safer for everyone.
Innovative Crime Prevention: Continue building on initiatives like the Dallas Fentanyl Strike Force to address opioid challenges using data-driven strategies such as overdose mapping and improved Narcan distribution.
Collaborative Strategies: Work with law enforcement and community organizations to develop proactive, community-focused crime prevention strategies that respond to local needs.

Infrastructure:
Strategic Investments: Leverage bond funding—like the $20 million secured from the 2024 City Bond vote—to support critical infrastructure projects such as White Rock Lake dredging, ensuring that our public spaces are revitalized and well-maintained.
Comprehensive Improvements: Implement targeted projects to upgrade roadways, sidewalks, and transit connectivity, ensuring that neighborhoods remain safe, accessible, and well-connected.
Community-Driven Planning: Engage residents and local stakeholders in the planning process, so infrastructure projects reflect the unique needs and characteristics of each community.

By drawing on proven initiatives and working collaboratively with city partners, I will continue to advocate for policies that not only enhance public safety—including targeted measures to combat speeding—but also deliver tangible improvements to our infrastructure for the benefit of all Dallas residents.

District 10
Kathy Stewart: Public safety and infrastructure are two core responsibilities of the City of Dallas. For public safety, we must continue to prioritize retaining our current DPD officers and recruiting new officers. Increasing the number of DPD officers is key to improving response times and enhancing our ability to address crime effectively. We should also build on the success of the Violent Crime Reduction plan. On infrastructure, we need to work on the basics like repairing pot holes and repaving streets. The 2024 Bond program offers valuable funding to improve streets and sidewalks. I will also be very focused on finding solutions to slow down traffice on our neighborhood roads.

District 9
Paula Blackmon: I am a lifelong Texan, a proud resident of District 9, and a three-term Dallas City Councilmember with a proven track record of achieving tangible results. I’ve successfully lowered the tax rate each year, fought to secure major investments such as $20 million for White Rock Lake dredging, and advocated for community-driven initiatives like the Fentanyl Strike Force.

I believe in tackling challenges head-on—whether it’s improving public safety by collaborating with law enforcement to reduce speeding and crime, or leading environmental initiatives that protect our neighborhoods from harmful developments and pollution. My commitment to transparency has guided my work on the Council, and I’ll continue engaging residents through open dialogue and community forums.

Moving forward, I plan to focus on expanding affordable housing, strengthening our infrastructure, expanding our tax base and ensuring Dallas remains a city of opportunity for all. By listening to constituents, collaborating with fellow policymakers, and always putting Dallas families first, I will keep working toward sustainable, inclusive growth that benefits every corner of District 9.

District 10
Kathy Stewart: My top priorities for 2025 include reducing crime throughout the District with an emphasis on the 75243 zip code; leveraging Skillman Corridor TIF funds to make critical repairs and improvements along Skillman and nearby areas; and identifying additional resources to enhance the quality of life along Forest Lane, Abrams Road, and the 635 Corridor. I will continue to connect with residents by having coffee with them, hosting community meetings as well as attending neighborhood meetings and events.