Lubbock Mayor Dan Pope won't seek re-election to 4th term

Lubbock Mayor Dan Pope on Friday said he isn't planning to seek a fourth term as mayor, creating an open seat for what's already shaping up to be a contested race in the May 2022 municipal elections.

Pope, a Lubbock business owner, was first elected in 2016 and has been re-elected twice to two-year terms, including a contested race in 2020. At least three people have already publicly announced their plans to run, including social advocate Adam Hernandez with Lubbock Compact; Gulrez "Gus" Khan, a conservative activist and co-owner of American Star Home Health & Hospice Care; and Lubbock lawyer and former assistant district attorney Tray Payne.

Pope was still weighing his political future when he spoke to the Avalanche-Journal earlier this month following the Nov. 2 election in which voters rejected a nearly $174.5 million streets bond package that he and City Council members had strongly advocated for. He acknowledged the result of that election didn't go unnoticed in his decision-making process at the time, but that it alone wouldn't be a deciding factor. He also declined to say if he was considering pursuing other public office in the future.

In a statement released Friday afternoon, Pope said his decision not to run for re-election comes after much thought, prayer and reflection.

"I'm thankful for the listening ear and wise counsel of close friends and my wife, Denise, as I reached this decision," Pope said. "I believe a government closest to the people functions best. City governments are far from perfect - to that, I certainly can attest. However, our record is significant over the past six years, and we've made great strides in Lubbock. I serve with a fantastic City Council working together with each of you. We have moved our community forward."

Pope added: "Now there will be an appropriate time for reflection and appreciation in the future. However, for the next six months, you can rest assured I will work with the Council, city staff, and each of you to prioritize public safety, fiscal discipline, strong neighborhoods, improvements to the quality of life and the creation of jobs."

Before he was elected mayor in 2016, Pope served nine years on the Lubbock Independent School District Board of Trustees for nine years, including as president of the board, according to A-J archives.

He founded Benchmark Business Solutions in 1994. He also served as chair of Lubbock United Way in 2005 and also has experience as the chief development officer of Covenant Health System

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Lubbock Mayor Dan Pope won't seek re-election to 4th term