TYLER, Texas — A runoff election to determine the winner of the Tyler City Council District 2 seat is happening this Saturday.
Candidates Stephen Dinger and Petra Hawkins were the top two finishers in the three-person race following the May 4 unofficial election results. Dinger received 320 votes, or 45.65%, and Hawkins received 256 votes, or 36.52%. Dexter Floyd finished in third place with 125 votes.
Since none of the candidates received a majority of the vote, a runoff election is happening Saturday, June 15 between Dinger and Hawkins.
Early voting concludes on June 11 at 7 p.m. People can cast their ballot at the Heritage Building (1900 Bellwood Rd. in Tyler), The Hub (304 E. Ferguson St. in Tyler) and Lanes Chapel Methodist Church: Family Center (8720 Old Jacksonville Highway in Tyler).
Election Day will run from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at the Heritage Building, The Hub, St. Louis Baptist Church (4000 Frankston Highway) and Three Lakes Middle School (2445 Three Lakes Parkway in Tyler).
The District 2 seat has been held by Councilman Broderick McGee since 2018. He is serving his third and final term. Officials said McGee will continue as councilman until a new councilperson is elected.
Dinger serves as a risk adviser for Cadence Insurance, consulting with companies nationwide on their insurance program. He came to Tyler from Houston about 10 years ago. He is also a partner at Tarry Title and owns real estate investments across the city.
Hawkins was born and raised in Tyler, and she attended Tyler ISD schools. She graduated from John Tyler High School in 1989. She later attended Tyler Junior College. She became a licensed vocational nurse, and six years later, she obtained the title of registered nurse. She later pursued real estate by becoming a professional Texas real estate agent in 2022.