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James Tolbert
James "Jim" Tolbert was a member of the El Paso City Council in Texas, representing District 2 from 2016 to 2017. First elected in a special election in 2016, he lost a re-election bid in the runoff election on June 10, 2017.
Although city council elections in El Paso are officially nonpartisan, Tolbert was endorsed by the Black El Paso Democrats and the Paso Del Norte Tejano Democrats.[1]
Biography
Tolbert earned a B.S. in education, English, and history from Texas Tech University and an M.Div. from the Episcopal Theological Seminary of the Southwest.[2]
At the time of his 2017 run for office, Tolbert was a sales representative for White Horse Promotional Products. His professional experience also includes work as a parish priest for the Episcopal Church and as the owner of a print broker services company. Tolbert has served as the director of El Paso's Celebration of Our Mountains, the chair of the West Texas Urban Forestry Council, a co-chair of the El Paso Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, and a member of the El Paso Open Space Advisory Board, the Building Standards Commission, and state Sen. Jose Rodriguez's Sustainable Energy and Environmental Committees.[2][3]
Elections
2017
The city of El Paso, Texas, held a general election for mayor and city council on May 6, 2017. Runoff elections for mayor and city council and a special election for city council were held on June 10, 2017. The filing deadline for the May election was February 17 and the filing deadline for the June special election was May 1, 2017.
Mayor Oscar Leeser did not run for re-election in 2017. His seat and the city council seats in District 2, 3, 4, and 7 were up for regular election. The June special election, which advanced to a runoff on July 15, filled the vacancy created by the resignation of District 8 Councilwoman Cortney Niland.[4] Alexsandra Annello defeated incumbent James Tolbert in the runoff election for the District 2 seat on the El Paso City Council.[5]
| El Paso City Council, District 2 Runoff Election, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
 Alexsandra Annello |
60.83% | 1,929 |
| James Tolbert Incumbent | 39.17% | 1,242 |
| Total Votes | 3,171 | |
| Source: El Paso County Elections, "Official Final Election Results," accessed June 29, 2017 | ||
The following candidates ran in the general election for the District 2 seat on the El Paso City Council.[6]
| El Paso City Council, District 2 General Election, 2017 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| Alexsandra Annello |
34.93% | 1,135 |
| James Tolbert Incumbent |
31.95% | 1,038 |
| Jud Burgess | 13.73% | 446 |
| Dolores Garcia Baca | 13.57% | 441 |
| Raul Valdez | 3.42% | 111 |
| Alexander Burnside | 2.40% | 78 |
| Total Votes | 3,249 | |
| Source: El Paso County Elections, "Official Final Election Results," accessed May 23, 2017 | ||
Campaign themes
2017
Tolbert's campaign website highlighted the following issues:
| “ | What are the top THREE issues you would like resolved in District 2 and SPECIFICALLY how you would resolve them? First, the number one issue on the minds of many District 2 voters are our streets and sidewalks. This is also a city-wide issue. Our streets are cracked and have pot holes and the lane markers can hardly be seen; many of our sidewalks especially in District 2 are broken and, in some neighborhoods, non-existent – a danger and impediment to our seniors and handicapped citizens. El Paso needs to expand its program to upgrade all of our streets and sidewalks particularly here in Central El Paso. I will work to direct much of the savings from cutting waste in the budget to upgrading our street infrastructure. As an active citizen, I have worked to ensure that current street funds are directed to priorities and not representatives’ pet projects. I will continue to advocate for this approach to funding so as not to waste precious dollars obligated to street and sidewalk repair. Second, our Central El Paso businesses and their many employees need a City which will work with them and not against them. Over and over, I hear from small business owners that they are often hampered by city processes and practices that don't make sense. There is also little consistency in the interpretation of rules and regulations making it difficult for investors and business owners to invest in our older neighborhoods. I'll work with the City Council and City Management to monitor our interface with businesses to make sure that we are responding in a timely manner and responding consistently to questions. I'll work to cut the red tape and any unnecessary regulatory burdens. We want our small businesses to grow; we want jobs to be secure; and we want living wages that will help expand our economy. Third, access to quality senior and community centers and parks is a big concern for residents in District 2. I will work with City staff to make sure that the citizens of District 2 have well- maintained and well-managed facilities and that the budget for maintenance is appropriate for the demand. I will work to ensure that District 2 Quality of Life projects are built to the voters' expectations and within budget. I will work with residents and the City to make sure that all of our Quality of Life projects are first-class facilities that we can be proud of. What are the top THREE issues you would like to address/improve CITYWIDE and how specifically would you resolve them? Second, we need to create a growing economy that increases revenue from sales taxes and commercial investment and reduces the burden on homeowners who pay exorbitant property taxes. We must focus on economic development efforts that grow top-notch jobs that pay living wages and complement our strengths (UTEP, Ft. Bliss, Health Services, International Trade, etc.). but also facilitate the growth of our existing El Paso businesses. I will advocate for economic development that focuses on expanding our commercial tax base and capitalizes on the current critical investments in our community such as the Medical Center of the Americas, UTEP, Texas Tech, Fort Bliss, our ports of entry. I will review all of our economic development strategies and incentives with an eye towards increasing job opportunities, living wages, mass transit and housing options that, in the long term, will reduce the burden on our homeowners and provide more opportunities for El Pasoans. Third, we need to preserve and protect our natural open spaces and historical sites thus making El Paso more of a destination city known around the country and worldwide. The resulting heritage and eco-tourism will be a boom to our economy, will help our small businesses, and will cut our debt due to higher Hotel Occupancy revenue. The city's role in historic preservation has been limited to regulation, much of it burdensome. I want our City to become more of an advocate, working with building owners to find the resources and the partners to invest in their buildings. I have been a strong and consistent advocate for the protection of our natural, open spaces. I have led an effort that resulted in the preservation of 800 acres of land in the Northwest. I am currently the chair of the Preservation and Conservation Group for the El Paso Water Utilities. Our panel seeks to define what land can be preserved, what land should be developed and what conservation measures can be taken when developing land. As Director of Celebration of Our Mountains, a fall program of outdoor nature events, I help to encourage El Pasoans to value our natural outdoors and benefit from healthful recreation. I will bring this effective advocacy to City Council and work with City Council to develop an action plan using funds set aside in the Quality of Life bond, funds allocated in the stormwater fee and private resources and donations.[7] |
” |
| —Jim Tolbert's campaign website, (2017)[8] | ||
Endorsements
2017
Tolbert received endorsements from the following in 2017:[1]
- AFSCME
- Black El Paso Democrats
- Paso Del Norte Tejano Democrats
See also
| El Paso, Texas | Texas | Municipal government | Other local coverage |
|---|---|---|---|
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External links
- City of El Paso
- Campaign website
- Social media
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Jim Tolbert - City Representative District 2, "Home," accessed April 24, 2017
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 LinkedIn, "Jim Tolbert," accessed April 24, 2017
- ↑ Jim Tolbert - City Representative District 2, "About Jim," accessed April 24, 2017
- ↑ El Paso Times, "Mayor Oscar Leeser Will Not Seek Re-Election," July 28, 2016
- ↑ City of El Paso Municipal Clerk, "June 10, 2017 District 8 Special Election," accessed May 2, 2017
- ↑ City of El Paso Municipal Clerk, "May 6, 2017 General Election," accessed February 18, 2017
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Jim Tolbert - City Representative District 2, "Platform," accessed April 24, 2017
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Larry E. Romero |
El Paso City Council, District 2 2016–2017 |
Succeeded by Alexsandra Annello |
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State of Texas Austin (capital) |
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