Name: Hud Hartson
Current profession: Dallas Police Officer for 18 years and small business owner.
Political Party: Republican
Elected office sought: Midlothian City Council Place 6
Previous political experience: Two terms as Midlothian City Councilman Place 6
Family: I am married to Trudy Hartson. We have three kids, Triston, Trent, Taylor, and several grandchildren.
Questions:
Why are you seeking this office?
I love my hometown, have no plans to ever move away and want to ensure that people aren’t taxed out of their homes. I want to continue to be a strong voice for our citizens on the city council, be accountable to them alone and want to promote responsible growth.
What distinguishes you from other candidates for this office?
I have a proven track record of being a conservative, I’ve promoted responsible growth, voted to keep the taxes as low as possible and I’m fully transparent when dealing with our citizens. Special interests and hidden agendas have no place in how I’ll serve the citizens. I’m a fighter for what our citizens want and successfully fought to remove vile, vulgar, and pornographic books from our city/school library.
What do you consider the key issues of this election?
Understanding responsible growth, being transparent with citizens and keeping the taxes as low as possible are crucial to our city’s future. I have kept these issues at the center of my first two terms in office and strive to continue.
What are the greatest challenges facing the city and how do you plan to address those challenges, if elected?
Keeping our taxes as low as possible so that we don’t tax people out of their homes, maintaining a competitive pay for our city’s first responders and promote responsible growth. I’ve already as Councilman in Place 6 voted to more than double the senior tax freeze from $70,000 to $150,000. I supported the max. 20% Homestead Exemption as allowed by the state. I’ve voted to lower the tax rate. Our first responders have had their pay increase by about 25% since I’ve taken office, which will enable us to continue to hire the best recruits possible to serve our citizens. I’ve voted against irresponsible growth that will clog our roadways and burden our school district with having to build schools year after year. I have also voted against developments that do not maintain our city’s small-town feel and understand that our citizens didn’t move here to be stuck in traffic caused by uncontrolled growth.
What do you most want to make sure voters know about you?
I will never forget that I am in office to serve the citizens and not be a politician. This means making tough decisions based on my conservative principles, maintaining a high level of integrity, and knowing what the citizens would want me to do. I’m a conservative Christian that will fight for our city’s great heritage. Bridging our city’s past with its future is as important now as it has ever been.
