District 9 City Councilman Mark Clayton said Wednesday he will not run for re-election in May, citing a desire to focus on his family.

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The White Rock representative thanked constituents in a Facebook post for investing the time and energy to make District 9 a better place to live and work by showing up to town halls, bond workshops and neighborhood meetings.

“You told me to tell the City what you want, as opposed to the old way where the City tells you what you can have,” Clayton wrote. “I am thankful you allowed me to be involved as your voice for District 9 and proud that you guys allowed me to do it twice.”

In his four years as councilman, Clayton helped get funding for sidewalks to connect Garland Road, a new aquatics center at Harry Stone Montessori and stoplights on Buckner, Mockingbird and Abrams.

Clayton, who was first elected in 2015, also runs his own insurance business and has two elementary-age children.

“It has been hard to balance my time, and too many times my family has had to play third string to my jobs,” he said. “Frankly, it has been hard. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know I can’t get back time missed with them. It will be nice going back to being the fun dad and the perfectly adequate husband.”

He hasn’t yet endorsed a candidate to take his seat, but he encouraged anyone interested in public service to run for office.

“East Dallas is such an incredibly, funky, amazing, eclectic mix of people and places,” Clayton said. “I love our community, and I love you guys. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to serve.”