Good Morning, Justin and Neighbors!

We’re dropping in midweek with a closer look at who’s running for City Council. Inside, you’ll find a quick, easy-to-read summary of how each candidate responded to our questions—so you can get a feel for where they stand.

Want to dig deeper? Head over to our YouTube channel to watch individual interview clips with each candidate, and full written responses, be sure to check out our website.

And mark your calendar—the full interviews will be released this Friday, April 3.

Stay informed, Justin

JUSTIN DECIDES: Candidate Spotlight

Name: Daniel Dennis
Position: City Council Place 5 (Incumbent)
Election Day: Saturday, May 2, 2026

Complete questions and answers can be found here

Daniel Dennis brings a diverse professional background spanning real estate, construction, marketing, and business ownership, along with more than 18 years of leadership experience. His time serving on City Council has further strengthened his understanding of city governance and managing growth in Justin.

“...the last two years of serving on the council have expanded my understanding of city governance and what it takes to influence meaningful change in a growing city.”

Dennis believes preserving Justin’s small-town feel comes down to strong community relationships and intentional development. He supports strategic planning, thoughtful developer agreements, and initiatives like the Old Town overlay to maintain the city’s character as it grows.

“It’s not really about population or the size of the town.”

Looking ahead, Dennis says infrastructure improvements, road updates, and attracting a major grocery store are top priorities. He points to ongoing planning efforts and partnerships as key to supporting Justin’s continued growth.

“the next 3 to 5 years are going to be crucial.”

Dennis emphasizes clear communication and accessibility in city leadership. He highlights expanded public access to meetings, notification systems, and consistent updates as ways the city is improving transparency and keeping residents informed.

“transparency in city leadership hangs on clear communication.”

JUSTIN DECIDES: Candidate Spotlight

Name: Jason Wood
Position: City Council Place 5
Election Day: Saturday, May 2, 2026

Complete questions and answers can be found here

Jason Wood is a business owner who has built and scaled a company, bringing experience in managing growth, budgets, and long-term planning. He says his involvement in Justin stems from being a resident raising a family here and serving on the Meadowlands HOA board, where he gained insight into local challenges.

“I focus on solutions, accountability, and making decisions that actually work in the real world, not just on paper.”

Wood supports a balanced approach to growth by protecting the character of Old Town while planning new development areas more strategically. He emphasizes preserving Justin’s identity through thoughtful zoning and ensuring infrastructure is planned ahead of expansion.

“Growth shouldn’t erase our identity, it should respect it.”

Wood identifies infrastructure, managing rapid growth, and maintaining Justin’s identity as top priorities. He also highlights the importance of regional planning, potential annexation efforts, and attracting sales tax-generating businesses to reduce reliance on property taxes.

“you plan ahead or you end up playing catch up.”

Wood defines transparency as proactive communication and accessibility, ensuring residents understand decisions before they happen. He supports consistent updates through social media, town halls, and direct engagement with residents.

“Residents should know what’s being discussed, why decisions are being made, and how it impacts them before it ever gets finalized.”

Name: Shelby St. Claire
Position: City Council Place 6
Election Day: Saturday, May 2, 2026

Complete answers and questions can be found here

Shelby St. Claire brings experience in operations, finance, and organizational leadership, with a focus on accountability, budgeting, and communication. He emphasizes a leadership style rooted in service, community engagement, and long-term planning for Justin’s future.

“Leadership isn’t about titles, it’s about stewardship.”

St. Claire supports intentional growth that prioritizes infrastructure, protects local character, and maintains community identity. He highlights the importance of thoughtful zoning, preserving green space, and ensuring residents have a voice in development decisions.

“Growth shouldn’t mean becoming ‘Anywhere, USA.’”

St. Claire identifies infrastructure, responsible development, public safety, and fiscal responsibility as top priorities. She stresses proactive planning, ensuring developers contribute to growth costs, and supporting smart commercial development to ease the tax burden on residents.

“the next three to five years are about intentional leadership.”

St. Claire defines transparency as open, accountable decision-making with clear communication before actions are taken. She emphasizes ethical leadership, public trust, and making information accessible, while acknowledging legal limits around executive sessions.

“Trust is not automatic, it is earned.”