Arlington Mayor Jim Ross narrowly secured a third and final term Saturday, barely avoiding a runoff in a crowded mayoral race.
Ross received 13,289 votes, or 50.04%, according to unofficial Tarrant County election results. Based on the listed vote totals, Ross cleared the minimum majority needed to avoid a runoff by only 24 votes. Challenger Steve Cavender finished second with 10,475 votes, or 39.45%. Hunter Crow received 1,460 votes, or 5.50%, while Shaun Mallory received 1,304 votes, or 4.91%.
The result put Ross just above the majority threshold needed to avoid a runoff.
Ross thanked supporters after the race and highlighted several organizations that backed his campaign.
“I also want to recognize the invaluable support from organizations like ARBOR, Arlington Police Association, Arlington Fire Fighters Union, the Dream City PAC, the Progress Women of Arlington, the Young Men for Arlington, and Informed Tarrant Voters,” Ross wrote on Facebook. “Your efforts were instrumental in ensuring we had the necessary voter turnout to win this election.”
Ross Faced Scrutiny During Race
Ross faced multiple challengers, including Cavender, business owner Shaun Mallory, and University of Texas at Arlington graduate Hunter Crow.
Crow previously emphasized generational change in local leadership.
“I have been pretty vocal for many years about the lack of youth in elected office such as the Arlington City Council and School Board. I hope to provide Arlington a different perspective,” Crow previously told The Dallas Express.
Ross entered the race under heightened scrutiny. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, public records showed the Internal Revenue Service garnished his wages to collect more than $174,000 in unpaid federal taxes.
A separate Dallas Express report detailed backlash after a video surfaced showing Ross berating a Christian street preacher at a 2018 event. He has also faced scrutiny as Arlington officials work to address a reported $25 million budget shortfall for 2026.
Mallory reflected on his campaign after the loss.
“I’m a firm believer in fate, and in the fact that things always work out the way they are supposed to… I am in no way, shape, or form a politician, so being a Mayor was probably not in my wheelhouse to begin with… but I learned a lot, and had a lot of fun in the process,” Mallory told The Dallas Express.
Final Term Ahead
Ross first won the mayor’s office in 2021, defeating Michael Glaspie 54.4% to 45.6%. He won re-election in 2023 by defeating Amy Cearnal 51.8% to 48.2%, according to Ballotpedia.
Arlington mayoral races are nonpartisan. Ballotpedia said a representative from Ross’ office told the organization in August 2025 that Ross is an independent.
Ross is now set to serve his final term as mayor, which will conclude in May 2028.
The Dallas Express reached out to Ross, Cavender, and Crow for comment but did not receive a response by publication time.
