Candidates for Dallas mayor hold mayoral forum at EarthX Expo

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Several candidates for Dallas mayor took the stage at EarthX in Fair Park Saturday morning as they try to convince voters they're the right choice for the city.

The race for Dallas mayor has nine candidates on the ballot this year.

After nearly eight years, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings is stepping down, leaving the mayor’s race wide open.

And with nine candidates on the ballot, each person is doing their best to try and stand out among the crowd.

With just a week to go until the election on May 4, Dallas mayoral candidates are trying to get votes.

Seven candidates spoke during a mayoral forum at this year's EarthX, speaking on environmental issues important to this audience.

“It is a systemic approach, it is transportation, it is environment, it is creating what works for Dallas and to bring that and be a leader in the change,” Regina Montoya said.

“We have to hold people to compliance at the municipal level when they break environmental level, and then we have to make sure we have a cooperative relationship with our state and national environmental forces,” Albert Black, said.

Some talked about their strong track records of getting work done for Dallas.

“I started working on Trinity River Project in 2006, 13 years ago. In 13 years, we've got some things to celebrate but we've got a long way to go,” Lynn McBee said.

“I stood up against the Trinity Toll Road, which would've ruined our river and environment. I stopped dangerous gas drilling from coming inside the city of Dallas,” Scott Griggs said.

They also set their agendas and priorities for what they plan to accomplish as mayor.

“I'm a big fan of new urbanism. I'm a big fan of planning a city where you can live, work, eat, play in hyper concentrated areas of the city,” Miguel Solis added. “Enjoying the diversity in this city by making sure we can experience that by the way we plan a city.”

With nine candidates on the ballot and no clear favorite, if one candidate doesn't get more than 50 percent of the vote, there will be a runoff election.

If that happens, the runoff election will be June 8.

Early voting is happening now through April 30, with the election day on May 4.

So far, just a little more than three percent of voters have shown up to the polls.