Challenger Ron Branson ousts Becky Miller in Carrollton mayor's race

This election is EXACTLY why early voting is risky ... you never know up until the last minute how circumstances might change.

Looks like the best candidate won.

Actually, this is why it is risky for those that don't know the candidates or the issues that well. This is why I didn't even vote in the last mayoral election. If I don't know the candidates or the issues that well, I don't vote.

I'd rather see 10 percent turnout of knowledgeable, objective voters, than 20 percent of people who vote because an union rep told them to vote for someone (i.e. I'm looking at you firefighters and police officers) or because a candidate fits a certain demographic group.

Anyway, I was at Branson's poll watching Saturday and 4 of the 7 city councilmen were there cheering for him. I think that speaks volumes in itself.

I am from Arlington and I have determined that you can't trust the Police and Firefighter Unions when it comes to endorsing candidates. Police and firefighter's are for the most part our heroes, but the unions are full of crap ... in Arlington.

I am glad Branson pulled it out. When I looked at Carrollton candidates for the first time, I can't understand why Miller was ever voted into any office in the first place? Her positions and stances seem out-of-line common sense Texans.

She's a political chameleon. She voted against joining the 287g anti-illegal immigration program but later took credit for it. If you were to read her "official" views, they weren't that much different than those of the people of Carrollton. But, as the Dallas Morning News article showed, there are so many lies told by this women, often mixed in with half-truths, that it's hard to know what she stands for.

I agree on the unions, and I would toss in the Teachers' unions as well. Absolutely terrible.

Mike - Agree with you 100% on the teacher's unions . . . teacher's unions are what is WRONG with the education system . . . and parents who don't care about their kids.

Even though the unions (police and fire) indorse a candidate it usually means they only support them financially, when in fact most or many of the members live out of the city and do not vote in the local election.

I agree Mom, the parents are as bad as the unions.

Tom, that's the way it is in most cases. However, Miller had a firetruck driving around town with her signs on it. Firemen in Carrollton were told they had to have her sign in their yard. One fireman told me he had to vote for her on account that she was endorsed by his union.

Mike - If you know for a fact that the incident of the firetruck driving around with Miller's re-election sign indeed happened, then I urge you to immediately contact the Texas Ethics Commission and discuss it with them.

I'm fairly certain that would be a violation of Texas election law if proven. And very likely a violation of Carrollton city policy as well.

Sounds like Mrs. Miller needs to learn that the rules, do indeed, apply to her.

Carrolltonian, I'm sure Ron Branson is looking into the matter. A couple of weeks ago I was there when he was very adamant and said, "That's illegal!".

It's safe to say that the Fire and Police Unions in Carrollton are on thin ice. They pushed the envelope and bet on the wrong horse.