After being removed from the ballot for not having enough valid signatures, former Dallas Observer music editor Zac Crain filed a reinstatement appeal, but it was denied yesterday, the Dallas Morning News reports. Crain, who was hoping to replace former Observer columnist Laura Miller as mayor of Dallas, ultimately came up 19 signatures short of the 473 required to make it on the ballot. He tells the Morning News that he'll review the ruling today, but won't likely pursue legal action against the city. "I'm not a fan of lawsuits in general, and in this case, to what end? We really wouldn't have time to campaign," Crain says. "There doesn't seem to be a point of continuing on."
Zac Crain's quixotic quest to become Mayor of Dallas looks like it may be over. The former Observer music editor came up about 50 valid signatures short of the 473 required and will be removed from the May 12 ballot, the Dallas Morning News reports. Many of Crain's signatures came from people ineligible to vote in Dallas or declared "inactive" by officials because they hadn't voted in years, according to Assistant City Secretary Rosa Rios. "We should have done a better job at securing signatures -- it's really disappointing," says Crain, who promises to fight the ruling. "We haven't figured out what we're going to do, but I'm not going to quit just yet." Crain had hoped to replace current Dallas mayor and former Observer columnist Laura Miller.
Zac Crain, formerly the Dallas Observer's music editor, recently recruited some prominent Dallas musicians to contribute to a 32-track double-disc benefit album for his mayoral campaign, Pitchfork reports. The album includes contributions from the Polyphonic Spree's Tim DeLaughter, Ben Kweller, Rhett Miller, the Deathray Davies' John Dufilho with the Apples in Stereo's Robert Schneider, and Centro-matic. Crain hopes to replace current Dallas mayor and former Observer columnist Laura Miller, who announced last year she doesn't plan to seek re-election.
Former Dallas Observer columnist Laura Miller has been the city's mayor since 2002. CBS 11 News reports that she has decided not to run again next year because she would like to spend more time with her family. That is good news for other candidates, such as Zac Crain -- also an erstwhile Observer writer.
Habitual readers of AAN News may experience deja vu upon hearing that erstwhile Observer writer Zac Crain officially announced his candidacy for mayor of Dallas yesterday. Unlike current Dallas mayor -- and former Observer columnist -- Laura Miller, Crain didn't write about politics: He served as the Observer's music editor before joining the staff of American Airlines' American Way magazine. In his announcement speech, Crain said, "We can do this. I know this in my heart and in my head."
Erstwhile Observer Music Editor Zac Crain confirmed to his former employer: "Yes, I'm running, and I'm very excited. I'm not high, and it's not a joke." The current mayor of Dallas, Laura Miller, wrote a column for the Observer before launching her political career. The Observer describes Crain as a "great writer" and "nice guy" and jibes, "On balance, among former Observer staffers, Dallas could do worse for mayor -- not that we have anyone particularly in mind when we say that." Crain, now an associate editor at American Way magazine, plans to make an official announcement on April 24.
