Southlake will elect its new mayor come May. So now is the time to get to know the candidates on the ballot in the upcoming election. Want to learn about candidates in other races this election season? Click here!
Each candidate in this race was provided the same questions. We are publishing their answers in their own words. The views expressed in these articles do not directly reflect those of Southlake Style.
Southlake Mayoral Candidate John Huffman
Candidate Name: John Huffman
Occupation: Owner of Black Door Renovation
How long have you lived in Southlake? What brought you to town?
My family and I have been in Southlake since 2008. We bought our first home ever on Ashleigh Lane in Timarron, and I hope that the house we're in now is the last home we ever buy. We love it here in Southlake and feel very thankful to have found it when we did.
What inspired you to run for this position?
Southlake is an exceptional community. Anyone who has had the privilege to live, visit or do business here recognizes that. My commitment — my promise — to the people of Southlake is that, as mayor, I will preserve and protect what makes Southlake the place we know and love. In the last six years, I have lowered city property taxes, increased residential tax exemptions, encouraged business growth and retention through good policy and promotion and protected green space wherever possible. As mayor, I will continue to do so as we face future challenges together.
What in your background has prepared you for this position?
My qualifications for office come from my servant leadership philosophy that motivates my actions as a public servant. I have been proud to serve on Southlake’s City Council for the last six years under the phenomenal leadership of Mayor Laura Hill, who is term-limited. During that time, I chaired numerous committees and boards and worked hard to promote Southlake’s community events and business environment both publicly and privately. I’ve also served as Chairman of Southlake’s Zoning Board of Adjustments and as a board member of the very successful Southlake Chamber of Commerce. Professionally, I own Black Door Renovation, a successful home remodeling company that my wife Elizabeth and I started in 2016. As a small business owner, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to succeed in today’s economic environment, and I will always work hard to foster a vibrant business environment here in Southlake. Most importantly, I am the husband of Elizabeth, who is by far my better half, and the father of Caroline, Andrew, and Anna, who bring me unending joy. These four motivate me every day to do my best to protect and preserve the amazing community that we all call home.
What do you hope to bring to this role?
I’ll bring a philosophy of selfless service, a devotion to the taxpayers of Southlake to be a good fiduciary of their dollars and an experience that is unmatched in this race so that I am ready to lead as mayor on day one.
What do you hope to accomplish in this position?
Simply, when my time as mayor is over, I'd like to know that I left Southlake better than I found it.
Why do you believe you will be successful in this position?
Southlake is stronger together. And if we face our challenges together, we cannot fail. I believe this mindset and my experience in serving in leadership roles in this city and professionals will allow me to be successful.
What are your top priorities if elected?
My energy as mayor will be focused on these priorities.
1) I will continue our record of tax relief for our businesses and homeowners and, by doing so, continue to foster a supportive and vibrant economic environment for all our businesses, both small and large.
2) I will lead the way in protecting green space and our semi-rural feel wherever possible through strategic investments and smart development.
3) I will strengthen and support the city’s emergency response and disaster preparedness functions, implementing lessons learned through the coronavirus pandemic as well as the recent winter storm disaster.
What actions do you believe are necessary to help unify the community?
We have to face challenges together as a community. We have to form real relationships with our neighbors of all backgrounds and beliefs, and those relationships will form bonds to help find the unity that sometimes we miss. There are voices of division and anger in this community that say we are broken. They say we are hopelessly divided. They say there is something wrong with Southlake that can’t be fixed. But I reject that. We are a good and loving community full of generous and selfless people. And we will face and overcome our challenges together.
Is there anything else you would like our readers to know?
Thanks to your readers, and if anyone wants to get involved in our campaign, please join us at JohnHuffman.com. Thanks again!