Dublin Mayoral Candidates Gear-Up for Election | News

On November 8, Dublin voters will decide who'll be next to run their city.

The city's two candidates agree on one major step for Dublin, but can't see eye to eye on how to get there.

With twelve years under his belt, Dublin Mayor Phil Best says he knows what the city needs most.

"We have got to get some jobs in here and decrease our unemployment and provide opportunities for our citizens. That will be one of our main focuses," says Best.

He says several projects that cost the city $25 million over 12 years, like water and sewer lines, encourage job growth in areas of the city that sat empty.

But his opponent, Dublin small business owner Johnny Vaughn, calls himself the job candidate.

"I have had to burn some midnight oil dealing with budgets, payroll, employees," Vaughn says of his experience.

He started an academy for kids placed in DFCS, runs a homeless shelter, and owns two downtown shops.

"I am going to be the drum major for this community. I'm going to lead the parade for this community and we're going to bring in industry," says Vaughn.

The Dublin native says never being "tied down" to city council has given him the freedom to make changes within the community.

But for Mayor Best, his 18 years in a Dublin seat plays a role in what he calls the city's teamwork.

"Our city council is doing good, we have a good relationship with our county commissioners, and our state officials and our development authority," Best says.

Vaughn says he'll reach out to a more diverse crowd, Best says he'll focus on making the city better than his term before.

Both candidates hope to fulfill the next term in Dublin's City Hall.