Glen Robertson

Glen Charles Robertson (born 1959) is an American politician who served two terms as mayor of Lubbock, from May 19, 2012 until May 17, 2016.

This article is about the American politician. For the Canadian town also known as Glen Robertson, see North Glengarry, Ontario.
Glen Robertson
34th Mayor of Lubbock, Texas
In office
May 19, 2012 – May 17, 2016
Preceded byTom Martin
Succeeded byDan Pope
Personal details
Born
Glen Charles Robertson

(1959-05-20) May 20, 1959
Lubbock, Texas
Political partyRepublican
SpouseKaren Lynn Phillips Robertson
ChildrenJason Robertson
Jeremy Robertson
Jared Robertson
Stepson Kirby Phillips

Robertson was an unsuccessful Republican candidate in the runoff election held on May 24, 2016, for Texas's 19th congressional district seat, which was vacated in January 2017 by the Republican Randy Neugebauer of Lubbock, who has filled the position since 2003. Robertson was defeated by Jodey Arrington, a former vice chancellor of Texas Tech University and an official in the administration of former U.S. President George W. Bush. Arrington polled 25,214 votes (53.7 percent) to Robertson's 21,769 (46.3 percent).[1]

Robertson had led a nine-candidate field in the primary election on March 1 with 27,791 (26.7 percent) of the ballots cast, followed by Arrington's 26,980 (26 percent). In third place was Michael Bob Starr, the former commander of Dyess Air Force Base who led handily in Abilene and finished with 22,256 votes (21.4 percent). Laredo surgeon Donald R. May finished fourth in the primary with 9,592 votes (9.2 percent).[2][3] In the first phase of the campaign, Robertson had questioned Starr’s participation in the LGBT "Fun Run" at Dyess Air Force Base. Mayor Norm Archibald of Abilene said that he believed the advertisement backfired on Robertson in the runoff campaign against Arrington.[4]

Background

Robertson attended Texas Tech in Lubbock from 1976 to 1978.[5]

Career

Politics

In the 2012 Lubbock mayoral election, a non-partisan contest under Texas law,[6] Robertson unseated Tom Martin by 30 percentage points[7]—a result thought to be related to voter perceptions that municipal "taxes" had increased in the form of fees.[8] One Lubbock resident (who had previously supported Martin but who went for Robertson in 2012) cited Martin's "dedication and countless hours" but explained the magnitude of the election margin as being an undercurrent of concerns about increasing debt and spending, and the escalating reliance on hidden taxes on water bills to fund unrelated departments.[9]

Shortly after inauguration Robertson announced his support for building an electricity plant powered by natural gas and for changes in the structure of water fees to emphasize conservation. Robertson told the West Texas Home Builders Association that he resists untested experiments to address Lubbock's utility situation: "I don't want to be the first Christian to face the lion, because he got the biggest and the meanest lion."[10]

In January 2015, Robertson said that he might run against Representative Neugebauer in the 2016 election. Robertson cited his unhappiness with what he called Neugebauer's failure to bolster the cotton industry.[11] In March, Robertson said that he would not run for Congress but would instead seek re-election as mayor.[12]

Then, on October 13, 2015, Robertson announced his candidacy for Congress once Neugebauer decided not to run again. In the same announcement, Robertson said that he would vacate his position as mayor in May 2016 regardless of the outcome of the congressional race. After winning the May 7, 2016 general election, Dan Pope succeeded Robertson as mayor.

In February 2016, Robertson received national attention when he called upon a local Islamic group to take down a banner, reading "Love for All." He received widespread criticism when it was determined that Robertson did not attempt to find out what the banner said before he issued his complaint.[13]

Business

Robertson had been a member of the Electric Utility Board. He serves on the board of directors of the West Texas Municipal Power Agency. He owns and operates Hillcrest Country Club and Robertson Bonded Warehouse, both in Lubbock.[14]

Electoral history
2012 Lubbock Mayoral Election[15]
Party Candidate Votes %
Nonpartisan Glen Robertson 12,457 65.36
Nonpartisan Tom Martin 6,603 34.64
Total votes 19,060
U.S. House, Texas District 19 Republican Primary, 2016[16]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Glen Robertson 27,868 26.8
Republican Jodey Arrington 27,013 25.9
Republican Michael Bob Starr 22,303 21.4
Republican Donald May 9,616 9.2
Republican Greg Garrett 8,309 8
Republican Jason Corley 2,558 2.5
Republican DeRenda Warren 2,323 2.2
Republican Don Parrish 2,197 2.1
Republican John Key 1,959 1.9
Total votes 104,146
U.S. House, Texas District 19 Republican Runoff Primary, 2016[17]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Jodey Arrington 25,322 53.7
Republican Glen Robertson 21,832 46.3
Total votes 47,154

Personal life

Robertson is married to the former Karen Lynn Phillips. He has three sons from a previous marriage, Jason Robertson, Jeremy Robertson, Jared Robertson, and a stepson, Kirby Phillips.

References
  1. "Election Returns". Texas Secretary of State. May 24, 2016. Archived from the original on June 9, 2016. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
  2. "Republican primary returns". March 1, 2016. Archived from the original on March 6, 2016. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  3. Matt Dotray (March 2, 2016). "Robertson and Arrington make runoff election in Congressional race". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. Retrieved March 3, 2016.
  4. "Big wins in Lubbock, Abilene pushed Arrington to victory". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. May 29, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  5. "Glen Robertson". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. 2012-04-19. Retrieved 2012-06-19. See also Peoplefinders info for Karen Robertson (accessed 2012-05-26).
  6. Young, Adam D. (2012-05-20). "'Humbled' Robertson takes oath as Lubbock mayor". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. pp. A1, A10. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
  7. "Election night leads to big changes at Lubbock City Hall". Lubbock, Texas: KCBD-TV Channel 11 (NBC). 2012-05-12. Retrieved 2012-05-22.
  8. Young, Adam D. (2012-05-27). "Landslide mayor race a surprise". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. pp. A1, A9. Retrieved 2012-06-01.
  9. Ward, Mikel (2012-06-01). "Mayor race margins a surprise Lubbock Avalanche-Journal". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. p. A5. Retrieved 2012-06-19.
  10. Young, Adam D. (2012-06-14). "Mayor: Water, electricity top issues". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. pp. B1, B4. Retrieved 2012-06-19.
  11. "Lubbock mayor considering bid for 19th congressional seat". KCBD. January 26, 2015. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  12. "Robertson not running for Congress; will seek another term as mayor". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. March 3, 2015. Retrieved April 17, 2015.
  13. "Mayor of Texas Town Wants Homeland Security to Investigate Arabic Flag Reading 'Love for All'". HuffPost. 16 February 2016.
  14. Magelssen, Tommy (2012-05-13). "City's new mayor: Robertson wins big over Martin". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. pp. A1, A7. Retrieved 2012-05-26.
  15. "CITY OF LBK CUMULATIVE — Official Lubbock County — General and Special Elections — May 12, 2012" (PDF). City of Lubbock. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  16. "2016 Republican Party Primary Election". Texas, State of Secretary. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
  17. "2016 Republican Party Primary Runoff". Texas, State of Secretary. Retrieved 2 November 2020.
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