City of Tyler District map.

Three candidates are vying for the City of Tyler District 2 council seat in the May 4 election.

Incumbent Broderick McGee, who has served since 2018, reached the term limit after completing three consecutive two-year terms, opening the field for newcomers.

District 2 in Tyler spans from Highway 31 West to the South Southwest Loop 323, ending near Fresh on Old Jacksonville Highway. Notable spots include Downtown Tyler, the Rose Complex and Fun Forest Park.

Petra Hawkins

Tyler native Petra Hawkins brings over 32 years of experience in healthcare, aiding individuals during their most vulnerable moments. As a candidate, she pledges to amplify the voices of her community’s underrepresented individuals.

“I’ve walked the streets. I’ve played on these playgrounds and shopped at these stores my entire life,” Hawkins said.

Growing up in Tyler, Hawkins believes she possesses a unique understanding and empathy for the community’s needs.

“I care about the community where I live; we’re growing, and I want to see us continue progressing,” Hawkins said. “This is a great opportunity to help more people on a larger scale.”

Hawkins graduated from John Tyler High School with honors in 1989. She then attended Tyler Junior College, earning a nursing certificate in 1992. Later, she became a licensed vocational nurse and earned an associate’s degree in nursing.

She began 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 DFW area, California, Rhode Island and Minnesota, working on rapid response, crisis and strike assignments.

“I’m very compassionate and passionate about people. I’ve taken care of people lying flat on their backs in a more intimate setting,” Hawkins said. “That career shaped and molded me for something like this because it’s the same thing. It’s just a different setting.”

In 2022, Hawkins became a licensed real estate agent. She and her husband also own Air Pro Elite A/C and Heating, Hawkins Custom Homes, LLC and Hawkins Elite Properties, LLC. She is also 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, the National Association of Real Estate Brokers, which promotes democracy in housing, the 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.

Stephen Dinger

Tyler transplant Stephen Dinger, who relocated to Rose City in 2014, cites his genuine love for his adopted home city as his motivation for seeking to serve District 2 on the Tyler City Council.

“Through life experiences, we all have different ways of viewing the world and thinking of things,” Dinger said. “Bringing that to the council, I think, would be a good thing.”

While Dinger’s parents never served in an elected office, they were actively engaged in civic affairs and instilled in him the importance of political participation. He also attributes the decision to run for council to his time in Leadership Tyler.

“That was my first interaction I’ve ever had with any sort of local politics,” Dinger said. “I met our local leaders; they’re all down to earth and humble. They’re just trying to serve and improve their community, so when we’re talking about me running for elected office, I tie it back to Government Day with Leadership Tyler Class 29.

Dinger is a Risk Advisor for Cadence Insurance, where he consults with companies nationwide on their insurance programs. He is also a partner at Tarry Title and owns real estate investments across the city.

“He wants to use this professional experience to help close deals to fill empty buildings and encourage developments across District 2 that will result in greater prosperity citywide,” according to his website.

He is a graduate of Leadership Tyler, serves on the Smith County Appraisal Review Board, and is a former member of the Airport Advisory Board. In addition to those roles, Dinger has actively promoted outdoor recreation opportunities through his service as a Camp Tyler board member and as a running and endurance community member. The Dingers attend South Spring Baptist Church as Sunday School teachers.

“I’ve always had a passion to volunteer, serve, and give back to the community,” Dinger said. “This is just a continuation of that, and believing that my background uniquely equipped me to bring value to [the Tyler City Council].”

Dexter Floyd

Dexter Floyd moved to Tyler in the eighth grade and has become an educational leader and community empowerment advocate.

“City council is a call. It’s a labor of love,” Floyd said. “You’re not being paid, not monetarily, but what you’re called to do for the families and the constituents kind of usurped any extreme compensation you could get for it.”

Floyd noted District 2 in Tyler is predominantly composed of minority families. The district, established in the 1970s, promotes minority representation on the Tyler City Council. Floyd emphasized the significance of maintaining minority representation in this seat.

As the principal of Tyler ISD’s RISE Academy, Floyd said he has demonstrated skill in fostering an educational environment where every student can excel, particularly resonating with the aspirations of Black and Hispanic families.

“What I do daily as a principal … will be valuable in coordinating and working with council members to address the needs and the concerns of the people we serve,” he said.

He’s been recognized as a teaching strategy expert and is an education consultant at multiple colleges and universities. He holds a Doctor of Education degree in Learning and Organizational Change from Baylor University.

Additionally, he serves as a pastor at Designed For Worship, Church of God In Christ.

“I’ve had to live and breathe this work for years as an educator, principal, and pastor in this city. I think I embody civility and what it means to serve people,” Floyd said. “I’ve had to deal with diverse people, everyday families, problems, [and] situations that come to me daily. This will be a smooth transition for me.”

Strong communication, problem-solving, and data analysis skills are essential for understanding and conveying constituents’ concerns to the council. Community engagement is also crucial for advocating policies that support constituents.

“As a principal, I’m dealing with various issues all the time, but I think that experience equips me with being able to identify viable solutions, analyze complex problems and make informed decisions because that’s what this is about,” Floyd said.

Early voting begins Monday. Election Day is May 4.