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Debrah North (DeSoto City Council Place 5, Texas, candidate 2025)
From Ballotpedia
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Debrah North ran for election to the DeSoto City Council Place 5 in Texas. She was on the ballot in the general runoff election on June 7, 2025.[source]
North completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. Click here to read the survey answers.
[1]Biography
Debrah North provided the following biographical information via Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey on May 24, 2025:
- Birth date: November 17, 1963
- Birth place: Dallas, Texas
- High school: Skyline High School
- Gender: Female
- Religion: Christian: Nondenominational
- Incumbent officeholder: No
- Campaign website
- Campaign endorsements
- Campaign Facebook
Elections
General runoff election
General runoff election for DeSoto City Council Place 5
Wil E. Adams Jr. and Debrah North ran in the general runoff election for DeSoto City Council Place 5 on June 7, 2025.
Candidate | ||
| Wil E. Adams Jr. (Nonpartisan) | ||
Debrah North (Nonpartisan)  | ||
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
General election
General election for DeSoto City Council Place 5
Wil E. Adams Jr., Janice D. Hayes, Harold Long III, Debrah North, and Shanneca Weatherall ran in the general election for DeSoto City Council Place 5 on May 3, 2025.
Candidate | ||
| Wil E. Adams Jr. (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Janice D. Hayes (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Harold Long III (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Debrah North (Nonpartisan) | ||
| Shanneca Weatherall (Nonpartisan) | ||
| ||||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Election results
Endorsements
To view North's endorsements as published by their campaign, click here. Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for North in this election.
Campaign themes
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Debrah North completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey in 2025. The survey questions appear in bold and are followed by North's responses. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.
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I’m a proud lifelong Texan, community leader, and advocate for public service. I’ve served on the DeSoto Zoning Board of Adjustments and Building and Standards Commission Chair, led the DeSoto Rotary Club as president, current Rotary District assistant governor and currently serve on the boards of organizations focused on education and equity. I’m also a financial services professional, dedicated to helping others build stable, independent futures. My leadership is grounded in faith, service, and a deep commitment to uplifting others.
- Public Safety – Supporting our police officers and first responders while building stronger relationships with the community.
- Smart Growth – Promoting responsible development and infrastructure that preserves our neighborhoods while bringing in new businesses and investments
- Efficiency and Lower Taxes – Ensuring city funds are spent wisely and transparently to ease the tax burden on residents and 65+ seniors.
I’m passionate about economic development that works for everyone, strengthening education, youth and workforce programs, and ensuring that underserved voices are included in city decisions. I also care deeply about water infrastructure, health innovation and environmental stewardship, and I look forward to working with leaders across the region and state on initiatives that enhance our resources.
At the local level, this office is the closest link residents have to decision-making power. It may not shape state law directly, but it greatly influences quality of life—from zoning to public safety to neighborhood investment. The City Council holds the responsibility of translating state mandates into action that fits the character and needs of our community.
I often reflect on the leadership legacy of people like Shirley Chisholm, Barbara Jordan, Eddie Bernice Johnson, and Barack Obama. A book recommended to me was Strength to Love by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. It is about service—with conviction, compassion, and courage.
Elected officials should listen with intention and lead with humility. I believe in collaborative leadership that brings people together to solve problems and move the city forward.
I lead with integrity, empathy, and a deep commitment to service. I listen before I speak, seek common ground, and make decisions based on what’s best for the whole community—not personal gain. My experience serving on local boards, engaging with regional leaders, and working in both the private and public sectors has prepared me to navigate complex issues with balance and focus. I’m resilient, faith-driven, and passionate about creating spaces where people feel heard, respected, and included. I believe success in office comes from building trust and following through.
The core responsibilities include listening to constituents, setting policy that reflects the best interests of the community, and overseeing how city resources are allocated. A council member should serve as a bridge between the residents and city leadership, ensure responsible budgeting, support public safety, and foster economic and community development.
I want to leave a legacy of service, inclusion, and impact. I hope to be remembered as someone who brought people together, uplifted voices that often go unheard, and made decisions that improved lives—especially for future generations. I want my time in office to reflect courage, compassion, and a deep belief in the power of community. If I can inspire others—especially women, single mothers, and survivors—to step into leadership and live with purpose, then I’ve done something lasting.
One of the most memorable historical moments in my lifetime happened when I was 32 years old with my 4-month-old son. I had just accepted a job relocation to Atlanta, Georgia. My mother reminded me of the powerful legacy of “Daddy King,” Dr. Martin Luther King Sr., who used to regularly visit our church in Texas. She encouraged me to find Ebenezer Baptist Church while I was in Atlanta. One Sunday, I did—and to my surprise and honor, I was seated right next to Mrs. Coretta Scott King. That moment connected generations of faith, leadership, and purpose for me. It reminded me of the importance of walking boldly in your calling, with humility and grace.
Many don’t realize how much influence the City Council has over land use, infrastructure priorities, and partnerships that bring in economic development. Council members also have the power to appoint board members and shape city planning for years to come. These decisions directly impact how our city looks, feels, and functions.
Experience is helpful, but not a requirement. What matters most is a genuine commitment to serve, the ability to collaborate, and a strong grasp of community needs. In my case, my experience on local boards and commissions, regional leadership programs, and nonprofit work has prepared me well—even though I didn’t start out as a public servant.
Listening skills, financial literacy, decision-making under pressure, and the ability to unify people across differences are all essential. Council members should also be open to learning, adaptable to change, and committed to balancing both short-term needs and long-term planning.
This office is where policy meets people. It allows for direct engagement with constituents and gives residents a voice in how their neighborhoods grow and thrive. Unlike higher offices, City Council members regularly interact with everyday concerns—street maintenance, public safety, water access, and more. It’s about being hands-on and heart-led.
Financial transparency and accountability are non-negotiable. Taxpayers deserve to know how their money is being spent and why. I support our city’s open budgeting processes, regular reporting, and public access to city decisions. True accountability means continuing to engage the public and being clear and honest about what’s working—and what’s not.
Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.
See also
2025 Elections
External links
Footnotes
