Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings Welcomes New Council Members With Call for Unity

As he welcomed four new council members on Monday, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings called on his colleagues to rise above what he called "boogeyman politics" on the state and national level."Let's not fall into the same style of black-and-white divisive politics that's infecting Washington and Austin," Rawlings said. "The truth is more nuanced."The mayor's call for a more civil and welcoming political discourse -- rather than "bombastic behavior" -- targeted the state's bathroom bill and the federal government travel ban on predominantly Muslim countries. But his remarks also touched on an often turbulent and divisive local election season. Mayor Pro Tem Monica Alonzo, Deputy Mayor Pro Tem Erik Wilson and first-term council members Tiffinni Young and Carolyn King Arnold were all defeated in their re-election bids -- a rarity in Dallas politics. Taking their seats at the council's horseshoe are Omar Narvaez, former Mayor Pro Tem Tennell Atkins, Kevin Felder and former acting Mayor Dwaine Caraway.  Continue reading...