3 days ago
Recuse Or Represent? Kitner's Ties Test Voter Trust In Dallas City Council D11 Runoff
As the Dallas City Council District 11 runoff election peaks, voters are scrutinizing the candidates' backgrounds and potential conflicts of interest.
Bill Roth, a commercial realtor, positions himself as a dedicated advocate for taxpayers for Texans, while his opponent, Jeff Kitner, faces a bigger set of questions regarding his dual roles and affiliations around the DFW area, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
Many of those conflicts of interest are now raising local eyebrows.
Kitner serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce, a prominent lobbying organization representing a collection of 'business' interests, including developers and corporate contractors. If elected, Kitner has indicated plans to continue part-time employment with the Chamber, according to previous reports, raising concerns about potential conflicts of interest if he wins the election.
Dallas City Code Chapter 12A mandates that officials disclose and recuse themselves from matters where conflicts exist, potentially limiting Kitner's participation in key council decisions affecting District 11 – The very district he wants to represent.
Some critics could argue that Kitner's ongoing ties to the Chamber could compromise his ability to impartially represent citizens in his area, especially when council votes intersect with Chamber members' interests.
Steve Nordseth, treasurer of the Save Pepper Square Neighborhood Association, previously told DX, 'It's like applying for a job to be a referee while staying on as a coach of one of the competing teams.'
In contrast, Roth emphasizes his commitment to serving District 11 without outside connections that might block his council responsibilities or cause any recusals. He is also currently campaigning for transparent governance and prioritizing the needs of local residents over external business interests.
Practically every important decision, from zoning and development to infrastructure projects and city contracts, affects the interests of Chamber members in Kitner's district. And each time Kitner would have to recuse himself from those discussions, District 11's voice would be absent, as Nordseth previously pointed out to DX.
The runoff election is scheduled for June 7. As voters prepare to cast their ballots, the debate over potential conflicts of interest remains a pivotal issue in the race.
'Serving as a Dallas City Councilmember can sometimes blur the lines between full-time and all the time,' said current councilmember Cara Mendelsohn in April.
Blur the lines, indeed.
As of the time of publication, Kitner's team has not responded to multiple requests for comment on his campaign or any conflict of interests connected to serving District 11.
