Grand Prairie City Council Guide: Today’s Council, Past Results, and Upcoming Races
Understanding our current City Council and how to get involved in upcoming elections.
This guide is part of the Local Elections Channel on Faces of Grand Prairie. We are actively seeking sponsors — businesses, nonprofits, organizations, and individuals — who want to support our mission to increase voter turnout in city elections. Voter turnout in Grand Prairie municipal races currently averages between 5% and 8%, and our goal is to raise that to at least 10% in the next election. We cannot achieve that without the support of people and organizations right here in our community.
Local elections matter more to our daily lives than any state or federal race — these are the leaders making decisions on everything from economic development, to controlling how we pay our water bills, to repairing the roads we drive on every day. We cannot have a great city without the consistent involvement of its citizens. Every resident, whether a business owner, nonprofit leader, or private citizen, is a stakeholder in Grand Prairie — your opinion and your voice matter.
We are also looking for contributors to join the platform and help inform our community. If you’re interested in supporting, sponsoring, or contributing, please email facesofgrandprairie@gmail.com.
This report brings together everything you need to know about upcoming City Council elections in Grand Prairie, including:
City Council District Map — See which district you live in.
Next Election Dates — Know when each seat will be on the ballot.
Recent Election Results — A look back at the last three years of races.
Candidate Campaign Finance Reports — Transparency on campaign spending.
How to Run for Office — Requirements, deadlines, and filing details.
When to start campaigning - Start sooner rather than later.
Whether you’re a voter who wants to be informed or a potential candidate considering a run, this guide is designed to help you understand the process, the players, and the opportunities to shape our city’s future.
Current District Map and City Council Representative (Gathered from the City of Grand Prairie’s website).
Each council term is three years.
Application Information to Get on Ballot (Gathered from the City of Grand Prairie’s website).
An application for the election year can be obtained from the Office of the City Secretary and submitted to that office beginning in January through February (Example: The applications for the 2026 will not be available until January 2026). All candidates for Mayor shall pay a filing fee of one hundred fifty dollars ($150.00) and all candidates for city council shall pay a filing fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) at the time of filing such application.
As an alternate procedure to paying the filing fee, the candidate may file a petition. The minimum number of signatures that must appear on the petition is the greater of twenty-five (25); or one-half of one (1) percent of the total vote received in the territory from which the office is elected by all candidates for mayor in the most recent mayoral general election (total votes=6046; 6046*.005=30 signatures required). Each petition must comply in form, content, and procedure as prescribed by the Texas Election Code.
Qualifications to Run for City Council (Gathered from the City of Grand Prairie’s website).
Must be a citizen of the United States.
Must be 18 years of age or older at the commencement of the term to be filled by the election.
Must be a resident of Texas for 12 months and the City of Grand Prairie six months immediately preceding the filing deadline.
In addition, candidates for Districts 2 and 4 must be residents of the respective district and must have been a resident of the district for at least six months prior to the date of filing.
Must not be under an adjudication of mental incompetence.
Must not have been convicted of a felony for which he/she has not been pardoned or had Civil rights restored by other official action.
Must be a qualified, registered voter in the City of Grand Prairie.
Past Three Year’s Election Results (Gathered from the City of Grand Prairie’s website).
2025
District 4’s totals ended up in a runoff between Marketta Nimo and John Lopez, here are the results of that runoff:
2024
2023
The Place 7, At Large totals ended up in a runoff between Bessye Adams and Jeff Copeland, here are the results of that runoff:
Campaign Finance Reports
Here are the campaign finance reports for the city council, as reported on the city secretary’s website. It should be noted that GPISD reports their campaign finance reports going back to 2019, while the city of Grand Prairie only goes back one year. All candidates running for city council in Texas must report on their campaign’s finances according to the requirements set forth by the Texas Ethics Commission.
Campaign Finance Reports
Here are some red flags to look for when researching campaign finance reports:
Large donations from a single person or business with interests before the city
Multiple contributions from the same family or related companies to bypass limits
A majority of donations coming from outside Grand Prairie
Missing donor details like address, occupation, or employer
High spending on vague “miscellaneous” or “other” expenses
Payments made to businesses owned by the candidate
Large consulting or management fees going to close associates
Little or no spending on direct voter outreach
Reports that are missing, filed late, or contain math errors
No record of in-kind contributions like donated goods or services
Donors who receive city contracts, zoning changes, or other favorable actions soon after contributing
Large campaign debts carried from prior elections
Fundraising spikes right before controversial votes (for incumbents)
Thinking About Running for City Council? Start Now.
Serving on the Grand Prairie City Council is an incredible opportunity to make a direct impact on our community — but it’s also a serious commitment. If you’ve ever thought about running for office, the time to start preparing is now, not just a few months before the election.
Here’s how to get ready:
Attend City Council meetings regularly. This is the best way to understand how decisions are made, learn the process, and confirm that this is truly the commitment you want to make.
Engage with the community year-round. Share your thoughts on city issues, answer questions from neighbors, and be visible at local events.
Write about city government. Use platforms like Faces of Grand Prairie to educate, inform, and start building trust and recognition with voters.
Define your “why.” Be ready to explain what motivates you to serve and what qualities make you a strong candidate for office.
Learn the rules early. Understand campaign finance requirements, filing deadlines, and eligibility so there are no surprises.
Elections aren’t won in the final stretch — they’re won by the candidates who have been engaged, visible, and informed long before filing day.
If you’re ready to step up, start today. Your city needs leaders who are prepared, connected, and committed to making Grand Prairie the best it can be.