MOVE Midland aims to move Midland forward while focusing on our citizens’ tax dollars, well-being, and community vision. As part of this commitment, we look to endorse local candidates who align with these values. After a thorough evaluation, we have identified two candidates who each bring unique perspectives to the Midland City Council. While recognizing that both candidates have their strengths and limitations, we find it challenging to endorse one over the other. Therefore, we have requested personal statements from both candidates to provide voters with additional insights to aid in their decision-making process.
*Candidates in ballot order.
Eric Davidson:
I am excited about the future of Midland. This is a growing city, filled with people that want to give back, and I know my career, skills and background have prepared me to be a leader on city council.
I’m running because I want a city where my children can grow up and raise their children, a city where job creators and businesses want to come, and a city that is willing to defend our oil and gas industry. We can accomplish this through maintaining our strong conservative values that have made our economy strong, and forming public private partnerships that will improve our quality of life.
My family has served this city. We have had the ability to work and volunteer for nonprofits, sit on boards, are members of Redeemer, and foster children in town.
As an engineer and hydrogeologist, solving problems is what I do. I’ve spent a career identifying failures and rolling out engineered solutions to problems. I will use my skills and experiences to solve the tough issues, like improving our roads and infrastructure as well as enhancing our public safety.
I oversee a business unit for a publicly traded company. I deal with complex accounting issues and own our spending. I know how to balance a budget and will prioritize essential city services and work towards breaking our reliance on bond elections to solve every problem, all while keeping our property taxes low.
As a husband and father of four, I am focused on improving the quality of life in Midland, defending our conservative values, and providing the very best in roads, public safety, and essential services. We need to foster public private partnerships that build parks, attract business, clean up the city, and can do this while being good stewards of your tax dollars.
Thank you,
Eric Davidson
John Burkholder:
When I started this journey over a year ago, I had no idea I would end up where I am today. I was truly a concerned citizen that needed our city to pay attention and address major safety concerns that plagued our neighborhood.
I quickly realized that someone had to stand up and advocate for those who couldn’t or didn’t have the time. Fast forward over a year later. Not only did I advocate for our neighborhood, I got involved with the city. I spent time to meet with city officials, spent time creating relationships, and spent time to provide solutions to our problems.
I made time to join Midland 101 and learn the intricacies of our city’s departments. I also made time to serve on our planning and zoning board to understand our cities challenges on a larger scale.
I want to create relationships, I want to learn our city’s complexities, and I want to educate myself to make the best decisions possible. These things take time and time is something that I can give. I do run our family’s business and I do support a service company, but I am my own boss and I have trained my people to make decisions without me being present.
I have empowered them through my leadership. I have operated successful businesses for 23 years of my life. I have served in senior leadership in a fortune 500 company, lead oil and gas services companies, and managed our families land holdings.
Experience matters, leadership matters, and having time to invest in this position matters. I love Midland and have a vested interest here. I want to see Midland grow. I want someplace that people are proud to call home and I want to use what God has given me to bring it all together.
Thank you for your consideration,
John Burkholder
Recent elections in Midland have seen a decline in voter turnout, meaning this race could be decided by only a few votes. It’s crucial to remember that local government decisions have the most impact on our daily lives. We urge all citizens to exercise their right to vote, as every vote counts to shape the future of our community.
MOVE Midland consists of informed and involved Midlanders, including former Midland mayors Ernest Angelo and Mike Canon.