12:00 AM CDT on Sunday, May 11, 2008

By BRANDON FORMBY and IAN McCANN / The Dallas Morning News
/ The Dallas Morning News
Jay Parsons contributed to this article.

Tim O'Hare, who made a name leading Farmers Branch's efforts to drive out illegal immigrants, was elected mayor of the Dallas County suburb Saturday.

Tim O'Hare celebrated his mayoral win on Saturday. The Farmers Branch City Council member made a name leading efforts to pass a ban on apartment rentals to illegal immigrants.

Meanwhile, Irving's incumbent mayor and a city council member beat challengers who wanted more immigration enforcement in the city – where campaigns were highly heated and often personal.

In Carrollton, Mayor Becky Miller lost in an election day onslaught by challenger Ron Branson.

While Mr. Branson had made a tougher stance on immigration the centerpiece of his campaign, the race appeared to turn in his favor over questions about statements Mrs. Miller had made about her past. On election day, Mr. Branson polled almost 700 more votes than Mrs. Miller.

Turnout in Carrollton, Farmers Branch and Irving topped that elsewhere in Dallas County.

Dallas County Elections Administrator Bruce Sherbet attributed the higher-than-average numbers to the number of mayoral seats up for grabs, fierce campaigning and the issue of illegal immigration.

The U.S. Justice Department on Friday said that it would observe Farmers Branch and Irving to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act during Saturday's elections. Federal officials declined to say why, but some officials in the cities speculated the move was related to lawsuits they are facing.

Both cities have at-large elections systems but are being sued in moves to force single-member districts. Farmers Branch is also facing lawsuits over illegal immigration ordinances it has passed.

Farmers Branch

Mr. O'Hare handily beat his challenger and political newcomer Gene Bledsoe.

"You're going to see a mayor and council committed to making positive changes for our city," said Mr. O'Hare, who stressed redevelopment goals during his campaign.

Mr. Bledsoe last year was treasurer of a political action committee that opposed a ballot measure Mr. O'Hare led to ban apartment rentals to illegal immigrants. The measure passed overwhelmingly but has been tied up by legal challenges.

Mr. Bledsoe has said his concern was largely with the legal costs of defending the ordinance. He has also said the city acted without analyzing illegal immigrants' effects on the city. But he has said he favors enforcing the rental ban if it is upheld in court.

Harold Froehlich, who supported Mr. O'Hare, easily won the Place 2 council seat the mayor-elect vacated in a four-way race.

Irving

But Irving's incumbents – Mayor Herbert A. Gears and council members Allan E. Meagher and Rose Cannaday – successfully fought off their opponents to win re-election Saturday. The winners supported the city's means of combating illegal immigration, but were opposed by two candidates who wanted the city to do more and two who wanted it to soften its approach.

"This says the people in Irving believe that love should prevail over hate and that our community is proud to be an international city and we accept optimism for our future," Mr. Gears said late Saturday.

The city became nationally known last year for its use of the 24/7 Criminal Alien Program. Under CAP, law enforcement authorities refer suspects who are believed to be illegal immigrants to federal authorities for possible deportation. Irving has turned more than 2,000 arrestees over for deportation under the program. City officials said they lead the nation in the number of people they turn over to immigration officials.

Mr. Gears beat former council member Roland Jeter, an attorney, and former building inspector Rigo Reza, a college instructor.

In the contentious and sometimes personal Place 5 race, incumbent Ms. Cannaday beat community activist Sue Richardson, a retired administrator. And in the least contentious race, Mr. Meagher easily beat Nancy Rivera, an administrative assistant.

Mr. Jeter and Ms. Richardson had accused Mr. Gears and Ms. Cannaday of not taking a hard enough line against illegal immigration. Ms. Richardson wanted the city to apply for the 287(g) program, which allows police officers special training to enforce federal immigration law. She also supported ordinances similar to those in Farmers Branch. Mr. Jeter said he supported more discussion and investigation into such tougher measures.

Staff Writer Jay Parsons contributed to this article.

bformby@dallasnews.com, imccann@dallasnews.com

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