Grassroots Wins in DeSoto, Texas’ City Council Elections

Two Independent candidates just changed the political landscape in DeSoto, Texas. They proved once again that grassroots campaigns, authentic leadership, and the right tools can overcome short timelines, partisan dominance, and even triple-digit heat.

In run-off elections this summer, Debrah North (Place 5) and Ken Waters (Place 3) both won their city council races, powered by community engagement, practical strategy, and deep-rooted commitments to public service.

These wins show what happens when everyday citizens step up and GoodParty.org helps level the playing field.

Inside DeSoto’s City Council Wins

• Debrah North (Place 5): Second-time candidate with a community-first message

• Ken Waters (Place 3): Won with 60.7% of the vote on a platform of economic development

• Tools used: Text blasts, robocalls, voter targeting data, DIY business cards

• Both won without party backing

Why They Ran: Purpose, Not Partisanship

Neither candidate set out to be a politician. Instead, both North and Waters entered their races to serve their communities, not their careers.

Debrah North ran on a platform of transparency, accountability, and integrity, returning to the ballot three years after her first attempt at the same seat. Her commitment never wavered during that time.

“I didn't leave. I showed up, and I’m showing up for the community,” she said. “And that's proven by the residents voting me for this seat.”

Ken Waters has been a community leader in DeSoto since 2004, but he hadn’t planned to run for office until neighbors and city leaders asked him to.

“I never thought about being a politician,” he said. “I'm not doing stuff in the community for fame… I'm doing it because I want to make sure that our city, DeSoto, is the best that it can be.”

That mission fueled both campaigns, even as they faced long odds.

Running and Winning as Independents

Running without the backing of the two major parties is never easy. Both candidates knew the system wasn’t built for them, but they also knew they had GoodParty.org and their communities in their corner.

“When you run as a non-partisan, it’s harder to do,” Waters said. “In my opinion, anyone that’s running not with the two major parties, they really need [GoodParty.org’s] services.”

Waters used GoodParty.org to access voter targeting data, craft a strategic outreach plan, and launch effective text and robocall campaigns that reached the right people at the right time.

With limited time and limited funds, Debrah North also had to get scrappy with her voter outreach.

“Because of the short time frame, I didn’t have much time to canvass. We had severe weather and extreme heat. So I had to pivot,” she explained.

Instead of spending on costly consultants, she relied on strategy and support from GoodParty.org. She passed out custom business cards at grocery stores and post offices, using every errand as an outreach opportunity.

“Everybody wants to say they’re a campaign manager and charge an astronomical amount,” she said. “I did it with GoodParty.org’s help, and I won.”

Waters also ran a lean campaign, but with high-impact tactics like targeted voter texts and robocalls.

“Those text blasts — that was a game changer,” he said. 

At the polls, voters told him they came because of those texts. “You’ve got to target the people who already vote,” Waters explained. “That’s what I did. Hammer those people.”

LEARN MORE: Learn how to navigate the voter outreach phase of your campaign. 

Campaigns Fueled by Data and Determination

GoodParty.org helped both candidates do more with less, especially when it came to strategic voter contact.

Waters started late, without a website running or yard signs out. But with clear targeting data and a practical approach, he quickly caught up.

“The most important thing is knowing who to target and targeting them specifically as much as you can,” he said.

Waters knocked on doors, focused on past voters, and made sure older residents, the ones who most often vote, saw him face-to-face.

“You’ve got to do the door knocking,” he said. “Especially older people, they like to see you.”

North, meanwhile, juggled extreme weather and budget constraints but never lost sight of her message.

“You have to learn how to be resourceful,” she said. “I was very resourceful because if you have very limited funds, you have to be.”

From keeping campaign finance reports buttoned-up to pivoting canvassing into casual community encounters, she modeled transparency in both message and execution.

LEARN MORE: Explore why the voter file is crucial for running a strategic campaign.

Advice for Future Independent Candidates

North and Waters both know what it takes to win without party machines, and they want to see more people do it.

“Make sure you're running for the right reason,” North advised. “It’s a lot of work. Make sure that you have the right support team in place.”

She also urged candidates to stay grounded: “When you identify the reason why you’re running, that’s going to be your anchor. When you want to give up, you can always go back to that reason.”

Waters echoed the importance of purpose over comparison: “I’m not worried about what they’re doing. I’m worried about what I’m doing.”

His win with over 60% of the votes is proof that voters respond to that kind of clarity.

LEARN MORE: See how to make a winning campaign message and connect with voters. 

Looking Ahead: Community-Driven Leadership in Action

Both councilmembers are already moving with intention. Waters is focused on smart commercial development and growing DeSoto’s economy.

“We need better shopping, dining, entertainment options,” he said. “DeSoto Economics First.”

North is prioritizing collaboration with city staff and continuous engagement with constituents.

“I’m setting up meetings with the city manager, the mayor, and key staff directors to understand their responsibilities and how to work well together,” she said. “I also want to be strategic with what I do communicate that’s relevant.”

Both are proof that when Independent candidates win, communities gain leaders who listen, not just during campaign season, but every day after.

Want to Follow in Their Footsteps?

Debrah North and Ken Waters didn’t wait for permission or party backing. They stepped up, stayed focused, and ran campaigns rooted in service.

By staying true to their values, rejecting partisan influence, and focusing on strategic voter engagement, they showed what people-powered campaigns can achieve. Their stories are a reminder that running for office isn’t just possible outside the two-party system. It’s necessary for a more accountable, community-centered democracy.

And they didn’t do it alone.

With the right tools, data, and support from GoodParty.org, Debrah and Ken turned challenges into momentum and proved that local election wins are within reach for everyday people who step up.

Inspired by their story? You don’t have to run for office alone.

GoodParty.org provides the tools, strategy, and support to help Independent candidates build winning campaigns.