At its Sept. 21 meeting, the Richardson City Council voted to appoint Daniel Burdette as the lone finalist for the vacant Place 3 council seat. Burdette will serve the remainder of former councilmember Dan Barrios’ term, which ends on May 1, 2027, and will be sworn in on Sept. 28.
Why the seat became vacant
Councilmember Dan Barrios announced his resignation on July 13 to focus on his campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives. His departure triggered the city charter’s requirement that a single vacancy be filled by appointment, with a majority vote of the remaining council members.
Selection process
The council opened applications on July 22 and closed them on Aug. 7, receiving a total of 13 submissions. After an initial review, eight candidates were invited to participate in first‑round interviews. The council then narrowed the field to three finalists—Daniel Burdette, Jordan Noret, and Jeffrey Davis—who were interviewed in an open‑session meeting on Sept. 21. Following deliberation, council members voted unanimously for Burdette.
About Daniel Burdette
Burdette has lived in Richardson for 25 years and is deeply involved in local civic life. He has volunteered with the Wildflower Arts and Music Festival, served on the Richardson Parks and Recreation Commission, and participated in Richardson CARES and Leadership Richardson. Professionally, he is vice president of product development at MyDirectives, a software company headquartered in the Dallas‑Fort Worth area.
“If you’re looking for someone who knows and has a rapport with many of the city leaders and is ready to govern on day one, I feel I am prepared for and excited about that opportunity,” Burdette told council members during his interview.
What the appointment means for Place 3
Place 3 represents District 3, which covers most of Richardson’s west side. The appointed councilmember must reside within the district and meet the basic qualifications of being a qualified voter, a resident of Richardson for at least one year, and at least 21 years old. Burdette’s long‑standing residency and community involvement position him to address the district’s priorities without delay.
Next steps
Burdette will officially assume his duties on Sept. 28, joining the council as it prepares for its upcoming budget discussions and the May 2027 election for the Place 3 seat. The council’s appointment process, conducted in open session, underscores Richardson’s commitment to transparency and citizen participation in local governance.
Council’s perspective
Council members praised the thoroughness of the selection process and expressed confidence that Burdette will contribute constructively to the city’s ongoing projects, including park improvements, public‑safety initiatives, and economic development efforts that benefit families and uphold the community’s values.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Richardson — read the source article.
