Dallas Mayor Leppert Not Seeking 2nd Term
DALLAS (AP) - Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert, who has been mentioned as a possible candidate to replace GOP U.S. Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, announced Monday he will not seek a second term leading the city of nearly 1.3 million.
Leppert, a Republican who has been mayor of Dallas since 2007, did not specify his future political plans in a statement provided to the media, posted on social networking sites and e-mailed to thousands of his supporters.
In an interview with News Radio 1080 KRLD, he declined to say whether he would run for Senate.
"The objectives that I laid out four years ago we've not only met, but we've exceeded. We've got, on the public safety side, we've expanded the police force, crime is down… numbers that any city would love to have," said Leppert, when asked about his future plans. "The objectives have been met and there will be good possibilities and good opportunities to pursue in the future and I hope I can continue to add value to our community, to our state and to our nation", he added.
Dallas voters elect a new mayor May 14.
Hutchison announced last week that she would not run for re-election in 2012. She failed in her 2010 bid to unseat GOP Gov. Rick Perry.
"Over the next few weeks, with much thought and prayer, I will lay out how I can best serve the people of Dallas, North Texas and indeed the entire state of Texas," Leppert said in the statement.
Leppert added almost 600 officers to the Dallas police force, reduced crime, built a strong economy through development, improved education and created "a more civil and transparent government" at city hall, according to his statement. The former construction company CEO also passed ethics, lobbying and campaign finance reforms during his mayoral term, the statement said.
Leppert, 56, drew attention in December after wrecking while riding his bicycle and breaking a couple of ribs. He was wearing a helmet.
Hutchison, 67, was first elected to the Senate in 1993.
GOP Lt. David Dewhurst, who won re-election in November and will be sworn in Tuesday, has said he is considering entering the U.S. Senate race.
On the Democratic side, former Houston Mayor Bill White, who failed in his 2010 run for governor, and former congressman and current U.S. Trade Rep. Ron Kirk of Dallas are potential contenders.
Leppert planned to be in Austin for the inauguration of Perry and Dewhurst.
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