Voter guide · Nov 3, 2026

Denton City Council Election 2026

1 of 7

council seats up

Vote for up to 1

4 candidates

Updated Oct 2, 2026. Every claim links to its source. How we check →

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name. Every position links to its source.

City Council District 1 · 1 seat

Sunny BusbyClinical nutritionist and certified aromatherapist who has lived in District 1 for over a decade. Her campaign site cites over 30 years of management experience, an MBA and an MS in clinical nutrition.5sourced
Kris CoxSite director at AlphaBEST and former City of Denton after-school counselor and supervisor.6sourced
Ward FranzFormer Missouri state representative and former director of the Missouri Division of Tourism. His campaign site also lists roles as chief of staff to the Missouri lieutenant governor and executive director of the Ozarks Medical Center Foundation.6sourced
Michael HerronFounder and president of Rhema Tax Services and founder and senior pastor of Purpose Church of Denton. He was a leadership trainer in the banking industry from 1990 to 2015 and served in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1988 to 1996.6sourced

Only District 1 residents vote in this special election, which fills the seat for the unexpired term ending in May 2027.

3 notes on these statements

Former council member Vicki Byrd announced plans to run for the seat but learned she was ineligible. Denton Record-Chronicle

The term ends in May 2027, so the winner will serve only a few months before the seat is on the ballot again. Denton Record-Chronicle

Michael Herron did not respond to Community Impact's September 2026 candidate questionnaire before press time. Community Impact · Sep 15, 2026

Already on the council, not on the ballot

Whoever you elect will govern alongside these members.

George FerrieCouncilmember, At-Large Place 5; elected in the June 13, 2026 runoff3sourced Joe HollandCouncilmember, District 44sourced Jill JesterCouncilmember, At-Large Place 6; elected unopposed May 2, 20264sourced Suzi RumohrCouncilmember, District 35sourced Nick StevensCouncilmember, District 2; elected May 2026 for the term ending May 20273sourced Chris WattsMayor (Place 7); elected in the June 13, 2026 runoff3sourced

Officeholders' pages compare what they've said with how they've voted, with sources.

Start here

Match quiz5 questions · answers stay on your phone Seat the CouncilPick winners, see the council What council decidesData centers, License plate reader cameras, Business incentives Key datesDeadlines and vote centers

Next date

Last day to register to vote

Mon, Oct 5, 2026

TodayAll key dates

What the next council decides

Data centers

Where it standsThe council started the legal process for a 90-day moratorium on new data centers in August 2026 and held the first public hearing Sept. 22.

What's on the tableWhether to adopt the moratorium after a second hearing, and how strictly to rewrite the development code's data center rules.

The council voted 6-0 on Aug. 18, 2026 to start the notice and hearing process for a data center moratorium. Denton City Council minutes, Aug. 18, 2026 · Aug 18, 2026
Establishing the 90-day moratorium would require a supermajority vote of the council. KERA · Aug 5, 2026
Denton has two data centers: Core Scientific, with up to 391 megawatts, and QumulusAI, contracted for up to 20 megawatts. KERA · Aug 5, 2026
The second public hearing on the moratorium is scheduled for Oct. 27, and a vote could come as early as Dec. 1. Community Impact

License plate reader cameras

Where it standsDenton police operate 10 fixed Flock license plate reader cameras under a contract the council approved in January 2025.

What's on the tableWhether to keep, limit or end the city's Flock camera program as residents press for its removal.

In January 2025 the council unanimously approved a three-year Flock Safety contract not to exceed $311,600. KERA · Aug 11, 2026
The contract has an option to renew for two additional one-year periods. KERA · Aug 11, 2026
A resident's petition to remove the cameras had nearly 500 signatures as of August 2026. KERA · Aug 11, 2026

Business incentives

Where it standsIn April 2026 the council approved, 4-3, an economic development agreement with drone maker KrateoSky of up to $870,064.

What's on the tableWhether and how to use incentive agreements to draw employers to Denton.

The KrateoSky agreement passed 4-3 on a revote after a council member said he had voted incorrectly on the first vote. Denton City Council minutes, April 21, 2026 · Apr 21, 2026
The Economic Development Partnership Board recommended the KrateoSky agreement 10-0. Denton City Council minutes, April 21, 2026 · Apr 21, 2026

Budget, taxes and city services

Where it standsThe council adopted a $2.22 billion budget for fiscal year 2026-27 and a property tax rate of $0.548485 per $100 of valuation.

What's on the tableUtility rates, spending priorities and which city services, such as after-school care, the city funds.

The adopted tax rate is about five cents lower than the previous year's rate. City of Denton · Sep 23, 2026
A proposed 3% electric rate increase was suspended until Jan. 1 pending an Oct. 27 work session. Community Impact

Housing costs

Where it standsDistrict 1 candidates in both 2026 races named rising rents and a shortage of deeply affordable housing as top concerns.

What's on the tableHow the city uses incentives, zoning and its own programs to address housing costs.

The Denton Record-Chronicle reported that affordable housing for those earning 50% of area median income or less is nearly nonexistent in Denton. Denton Record-Chronicle

Who matches you?

Answer any of these questions. We compare your answers with each person's sourced record, and nothing is stored. Questions where no one has a sourced record yet are left out. Tap a selected answer again to skip it.

1. Should Denton pause new data center development while it rewrites its rules?
2. What should Denton do with its Flock license plate reader cameras?
3. Should the city have approved the economic development agreement with KrateoSky?
4. Should the city restore its own after-school program?
5. What is the best way for Denton to address housing costs?

Seat the Council →

Pick a winner for each open seat and see where the resulting council stands on each issue.

Key dates

Last day to register to voteCommunity Impact · Sep 15, 2026Oct 5, 2026
Early voting beginsCity of DentonOct 19, 2026
Early voting endsCity of DentonOct 30, 2026
Election DayCity of DentonNov 3, 2026
Runoff, if requiredDenton City Council minutes, Aug. 5, 2026 (special called meeting) · Aug 5, 2026Dec 12, 2026

The seat math

6 stay (not up this year): George Ferrie, Joe Holland, Jill Jester, Suzi Rumohr, Nick Stevens, Chris Watts1 on this ballot

7 council seats. The council decides by a 4-vote majority.

The council has seven members: four elected by district, two at-large members in Places 5 and 6, and the mayor in Place 7. City of Denton
All council members and the mayor serve two-year terms. Community Impact · May 2, 2026
A council candidate must win at least 50% of the vote; otherwise a runoff is held. Community Impact · May 2, 2026
The Nov. 3 special election fills the District 1 vacancy for the unexpired term ending in May 2027, with a runoff on Dec. 12, 2026 if required. Denton City Council minutes, Aug. 5, 2026 (special called meeting) · Aug 5, 2026
The mayor votes on council items. Denton City Council minutes, Aug. 18, 2026 · Aug 18, 2026
No member who has served three consecutive full terms in a place may run for that place again without first sitting out an election cycle. City of Denton

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