Stephen Dinger

Early voting in the Tyler City Council District 2 runoff election began Monday.

Petra Hawkins and Stephen Dinger head to a runoff after no single contender secured the required 50% of the vote in the three-candidate May 4 election.

Voters can participate early until June 11 or on Election Day, June 15.

On the first day of early voting, as of 4:50 p.m. Monday, 146 ballots had been cast.

District 2 in Tyler spans from Highway 31 West to the South Southwest Loop 323, ending near Fresh on Old Jacksonville Highway. The seat is currently held by longtime councilmember Broderick McGee, whose term is expiring.

In the City of Tyler election, anyone can vote for the mayor. However, because it is a single member district, meaning one person is elected to represent the residents of a specific area rather than the entire political subdivision, candidates and voters must reside within that specific area.

There are 9,470 eligible voters in District 2.

In the May 4 election, Dinger earned 320 votes, or 45.65%, while Hawkins received 256 votes, or 36.52%. The third candidate, Dexter Floyd, received 125 votes, or 17.83%. The two top vote-getters moved on to the runoff.

Tyler native Hawkins, with over 32 years in healthcare, pledges to amplify the voices of her community’s underrepresented individuals. Growing up in Tyler, she believes her deep understanding of the community’s needs positions her uniquely to contribute.

Hawkins, a registered nurse since 1998, has served in various roles and worked on rapid response and crisis assignments across the country.

In 2022, she became a licensed real estate agent and co-owns multiple businesses. Active in the Tyler Chamber of Commerce and other local organizations, she is also enrolled in Tyler ISD’s Community Education Specialist Training Program.

“I care about the community where I live; we’re growing, and I want to see us continue progressing,” Hawkins said.

Dinger, a Tyler transplant since 2014, seeks to represent District 2 on the Tyler City Council driven by his love for the city and diverse life experiences. Inspired by his parents’ civic engagement and his participation in Leadership Tyler, he aims to bring a fresh perspective to local governance.

Dinger’s professional background in insurance and real estate positions him to advocate for development and prosperity in District 2, he said.

Active in various community roles, including the Smith County Appraisal Review Board and Camp Tyler, he and his family are involved members of South Spring Baptist Church.

“I’ve always had a passion to volunteer, serve, and give back to the community,” Dinger said. “This is just a continuation of that.”

Voting locations and times

Early Voting

• Heritage Building: 1900 Bellwood Rd.
• Main Location The HUB: 304 E. Ferguson St.
• Lanes Chapel Methodist Church: Family Center: 8720 Old Jacksonville Hwy

Dates and Hours

• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, June 3 to 7
• 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Tuesday, June 10 to 11

Election Day

• Heritage Building: 1900 Bellwood Rd.
• Main Location The HUB: 304 E. Ferguson St.
• St. Louis Baptist Church: 4000 Frankston Hwy.
• Three Lakes Middle School: 2445 Three Lakes Pkwy.

Dates and Hours

• 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 15