The Race for San Angelo's Mayor: Fight's On!

After weeks of waiting, someone has filed to contest the race for San Angelo’s next mayor. Incumbent Dwain Morrison announced at a January meeting of the San Angelo Association of Realtors that he would seek a second term. Then, silence. Rumors of potential candidates swirled, but no one would step up to the plate to oppose the mayor.

This afternoon at 4 p.m., builder David Nowlin filed papers indicating that he will oppose Morrison for San Angelo’s next mayor. The mayor’s term is two years.

David Russell Nowlin owns Climate Right Construction and his wife Kim is a self-employed consultant who writes resumes for Monster.com and her own resume writing business, Nowlin Resumes.

Nowlin is a 10-year resident of San Angelo. He made recent news as the chairman of the Zoning Board of Adjustments who managed both sides of the arguments in the street fight between Santa Rita and other area residents against Lee Pfluger over the frac sand transfer facility on Hill Street. Pfluger made a last minute deal to end the controversy, but appellant H.R. “Winkie” Wardlaw wanted a full hearing. Nowlin voted to oppose the depot.

“I care about everyone, rich, poor, whatever race or color they are,” Nowlin said in an exclusive interview just after filing to run.

Nowlin said the city needs a better strategic direction to solve infrastructure problems. “The streets need to be fixed all over town,” he said. Nowlin also pointed out that the water infrastructure needs improvement. “Almost every day, you see or hear about a water main break,” he said.

Nowlin said the problems with the city’s infrastructure require a strategic approach. “You can’t fix it all at once; you need a strategy and a plan,” he said.

“I want to help make San Angelo the very best place it can be for all citizens,” he said. Nowlin said that the trash contract controversy suggests that there isn’t nearly enough transparency in city government. “I want people to be more aware of what’s happening in their local government,” he said.

Nowlin said that his term with the ZBA is almost up and his chance to gain exposure in city issues is probably the greatest it will ever be right now. The conditions are right, Nowlin said, while admitting that the mayor is still fairly popular despite having been in charge when the contract with Republic had to be renewed. Nowlin thinks the timing is right to win.

The deadline for candidates to file for mayor or any of the city council positions (District 2, 4 or 6) is tomorrow, Feb. 27, at 5 p.m.

The election is on May 9 and early voting starts Apr. 27.

So far, here are the candidates who have filed for their respective positions. Councilman Don Vardeman said he will not seek another term.

Mayor
Dwain Morrison
David Russell Nowlin
 
District 2
Marty Self
 
District 4
Andrew Justis
Lucy Gonzales

District 6
Charlotte Farmer
 

UPDATE by Amanda Henson

Nowlin was in attendance this evening at the public forum "Community Relations in San Angelo", hosted at St. Mark's Presbyterian Church. When asked what inspired him to run for Mayor, the candidate had this to say:

"I believe the citizens of San Angelo needed a choice. I don't think that my opponent has given them everything that I can give them, I think I can do a better job, that's the bottom line."