The three-candidate field looks to be set for May’s mayoral election, now that businessman Jim Moore has dropped out and M Streets councilwoman Angela Hunt has decided not to run. Here’s a look, as the campaign starts, with candidate odds and a few thoughts, which I’ll update throughout the campaign. (And yes, this is horse-racing lingo):
• Far North Dallas councilman Ron Natinsky (5-2): A front-runner who got a good jump out of the gate (endorsements from former Oak Cliff city councilman Ed Oakley and the Dallas firefighters) and has one of the best trainers in the business in Carol Reed. But can he go the distance?
• Park Board president Mike Rawlings (7-1): Look for lots of big money to come in on Rawlings and lower his odds. Yes, he is from a big name stable, but did he train for this race and not another (say, against Hunt) at a shorter length?
• Former police chief David Kunkle (4-1): Likes the inside track, and has been prepping for this race for longer than most of us realize. But he may be carrying more weight than is healthy, given that controversial former mayor Laura Miller’s husband is his campaign treasurer.