Petra Hawkins. 

Petra Hawkins announced her candidacy for Tyler City Council District 2 on Oct. 10, 2023, at the Rose Garden Atrium, surrounded by friends and family.

In her campaign announcement, she said this “original Tyler Rose” aspires to reshape the future of “the Rose Capital of the World” with fresh perspectives and innovative ideas.

If elected, Hawkins said she will work hard to ensure a better life and quality of living for District 2 residents and all living in Tyler.

The wife, mother, colleague and trusted businesswoman was born and raised in Tyler. Hawkins graduated from John Tyler High School in the top percent of her class and with honors in 1989. She attended Tyler Junior College, earning her certificate in proficiency in 1992. Hawkins became a licensed vocational nurse, and six years later, she earned an associate’s degree in nursing with honors.

Hawkins started her career as a registered nurse in 1998 and has worked as a charge nurse, team lead, clinical coordinator and house supervisor. Since 2003, as a travel nurse, Hawkins has accepted contracts in the Dallas Fort-Worth area, California, Rhode Island and Minnesota, working on rapid response, crisis and strike assignments. She did not stop there; in 2022, Hawkins accomplished another achievement and became a licensed real estate agent.

Aiming to become a council member, Hawkins’ vision includes unity and collaboration for a safer Tyler. She said she will work hard to be the bridge between the city and the residents “in hopes of building a stronger, more inclusive community where all residents feel safe and valued and can take part in decisions made in the City of Tyler,” according to her campaign announcement. 

Hawkins said she is committed to advocating for economic development in District 2. Community improvement is one of her top priorities, only second to safety. Hawkins will continue educating residents on the real estate industry, including neighborhood preservation through rehabilitation/ revitalization and by encouraging home ownership.

As a bridge between the residents and the city, she aims to protect the neighborhoods in District 2 so everyone in the community has a safe and affordable place to call home.

Hawkins has a long history of serving her community. In 2023, her campaign donated to several families during Thanksgiving and donated toys to three local Christmas toy drives.

She is also very active in supporting local nonprofit organizations and small businesses. To fulfill her civic responsibility, she will continue seeking community service events and volunteer opportunities, she said. 

Hawkins will continue raising awareness of issues that affect young people, such as substance abuse, bullying and mental health, through education and mentorship.

She is enthusiastic about her community and wants to improve the lives of those living here by creating a vibrant leisure industry in West Tyler. She also wants to find new ways to highlight the community and attract visitors by promoting local businesses.

She is married to Roderick T. Hawkins. After 28 years of marriage, they have three children and ten grandchildren. She and her husband own Air Pro Elite A/C and Heating, Hawkins Custom Homes, LLC and Hawkins Elite Properties, LLC. She is a licensed professional real estate referral agent. She is a member of the Tyler Chamber of Commerce, Tyler Metro Chamber of Commerce, Tyler Area Builders Association, National Association of Real Estate Brokers, which is an organization that promotes democracy in housing, NAACP, East Texas Human Needs Network, Tyler ISD Foundation Alumni and the League of Women Voters.

She is also enrolled in Tyler ISD’s Community Education Specialist Training Program.

The other two candidates in the District 2 race include Stephen Dinger and Dexter Floyd. An in-depth story profiling each of these candidates and their vision will be published soon on tylerpaper.com and in the Tyler Morning Telegraph.