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Former Port Arthur councilwoman Charlotte Moses announced her intent to run for the mayor’s seat next year.

Moses served on council from 2015 to 2023, when she was term-limited from running again.

Running on the campaign slogan “Let’s Get it DONE,” Moses noted her platform this year and next year includes guidance for the fulfillment of plans, galvanized and focused on people and the generational future of prosperity for Port Arthur.

She elaborated on the platform, saying she wants to unify the city and get to work, get it done. Moses was in office when the city put forth the Downtown Revitalization Plan in 2016 and a comprehensive plan for the city in 2018.

She said she’s ready to get the work done.

There’s also billions of dollars worth in industrial projects, so now is not the time to procrastinate, Moses added.

But it’s also about the future of the city for residents’ children and grandchildren.

The year off from politics was intentional and she always planned to get back involved after taking a rest.

“I do my homework to find out what’s best for the city and the citizens,” Moses said. “It’s not about Charlotte, it’s not personal. It’s about the city moving forward.”

Moses said she has a lot to bring to the table as mayor; she has a background in human resources and knows how to work with the city manager.

She added she is not negative and doesn’t bring a negative connotation to the table.

“I can work with anybody, but we have to move forward,” she said. “It is time.”

Mayor term limited?

Port Arthur Mayor Thurman Bartie is nearing the end of his term limit  — two consecutive three-year terms — and is mulling the idea of going to Port Arthur voters to change the charter.

He said he would like to see the charter changed to allow the mayor and all councilmembers to serve three 3-year terms.

This change would require the signature of a certain percentage of registered Port Arthur voters; approximately 1,398.

Bartie hasn’t formally announced the petition drive but said he may do so in the coming days.

There is a specific process to place a measure on the November 2024 ballot and would require working with the city secretary’s office. Once the wording is drafted, the petition would be circulated for 60 days, then the city secretary has a specific number of days to review each signature and qualify the petition then issue notice if it is correct or not.

The last date to call for an election in November is Aug. 19.

May 2025 election dates in Port Arthur (Mayoral election)

• Filing for a place on the ballot — Jan. 15, 2025 to Feb. 14, 2025
• Early voting — April 21, 2025 to April 29, 2025
• Election Day — May 3, 2025