Two-way Contested Race for the Mayor of Denton Heats Up
There is a two-way contested race for the mayor of Denton in the upcoming 2025 municipal election.
{Photo: Scott Morris (Left) and Stephen Davis (Right)}
Town council member and former mayor Scott Morris is running against newcomer Stephen Davis. Current mayor Larry Ward is not seeking reelection for the mayor race but is instead running for town council.
Morris previously served on the Denton Town Council for 22 years and as mayor for 10 years. After taking four years off from the political scene, he was elected to the town council for the second time around in 2019 and is in the middle of his second four-year term.
He said he decided to run for mayor once again because the current mayor is not running for the position and there are several projects that Morris feels needs to be completed.
“We have a lot of things on the table that I want to see through to completion,” said Morris. “I think my many years of experience, knowing where things are at and having lots of contacts will help. Denton has always been my heart, and I want to see it grow correctly. I have always appreciated the support I have had in the past and hope it will carry on.”
Some of the issues Morris said are in the forefront are completing work on the water plant, continuing to improve the sewer system, smart economic growth and building up public safety by seeing the police department is fully staffed.
Davis worked in the IT industry for over 27 years before retiring and currently works part-time as a mechanic. He moved to Denton in 2017 and said he fell in love with the town. Davis said he doesn’t consider himself a politician, but he would like the chance to contribute to his community.
“I just want fairness, honesty and integrity,” said Davis. “I want to be more in touch with the community and get involved. I am willing to put in the time to help the town that I love.”
He said although he doesn’t have a particular platform or campaign strategy, he has concerns about landowner rights, over taxation by the federal government and honesty in local government. Davis previously ran for Denton Town Council in 2023.
Denton mayor Larry Ward did not file for reelection for his current position but did file to run for two available seats on Denton Town Council. Incumbents Anne Carter Bean and Deanna Chandler Grubb also filed for reelection.
There is also a three-way race for mayor of Thomasville. Current mayor Raleigh York is facing current city council member JacQuez Johnson, and former city council member Wendy Sellers in the mayoral race.
Lexington Mayor Jason Hayes is running uncontested.
The 2025 Municipal Election is on Nov. 4. Early voting is from Oct. 14 through Nov. 1 at the Davidson County Board of Elections in Lexington and the Thomasville Library.
