As we rounded the corner and started making our way up a slight incline, I slowed down. I’d been running with Councilmember Jennifer Staubach Gates for just a few minutes, and frankly, she was kicking my butt. She noticed my struggle and slowed down. She looked to her left. “This is Fred,” she said, pointing to a house where Fred lives. “If he’s sitting at the table there, he always waves. I don’t see him, though.”
Fred is important to Gates, and to District 13, which Gates represents. In the winter of 2012, when she was debating a run for City Council, she was having a tough time deciding if she should put her hat in the ring. “I was running on a Saturday morning, and I was really torn,” she says. “My family didn’t want me to do it. I was on the verge of tears. I was running up this road, and this old man was walking.” She passed Fred, and noticed his Aggie’s hat. Though she’s a Longhorns’ fan, she turned around to talk to him. “I said, ‘Hi. I’m thinking about running for council in this district. What’s your biggest concern?’”
This question turned into a conversation between Fred and Gates. Fred told her he’d lived in his house for years, raising his kids there. He asked what church she attends. They found a few mutual friends. By the end of their conversation, Fred told Gates he’d vote for her.
This conversation took place the week before she announced she was running. Fred was a big part of that decision.
Running her neighborhood is a way for Gates to stay connected with part of her district. Most runs are interrupted with conversations with constituents, and sometimes, her City Plan Commissioner. It also gives her a chance to do some recon work. A few weeks ago, the council was discussing a potential extension for Northaven Trail. The next day, Gates went for her run, got in the culvert (which would be part of the alignment), and ran around it so she’d have a better idea of what was being discussed.
But not all of her district is within running distance. While some of the toniest parts of town are in District 13, Gates also represents Vickery Meadow, a small community that houses refugees and immigrants from all over the world where more than 40 languages are spoken. Gates got to know that neighborhood while she was campaigning, and she quickly saw key differences. “I have to be proactive in making sure that apartments follow code and that people have quality, safe housing, and enriching environments,” she says of Vickery Meadow.
When Ebola came to the Vickery Meadow in September, Gates became a voice for the neighborhood. “When I found out Ebola was going to be in my district, I was like, ‘What is my role going to be?’ I needed to share the story.” She did this during the initial meetings with officials discussing how to identify and notify people who possibly came in contact with carrier Thomas Eric Duncan.
“I could sit in that room with Rick Perry, and the CDC, and the mayor, and they were all talking about how to attract people. I was like ‘Woah, hold on, you need to know: there are 25,000 people living in like 97, close to 100, multifamily buildings,’” she says. “I felt like I could help explain. And they said, ‘Oh, that’s important information when you’re talking about containing communicable disease.’”
For Gates, the crisis was very much a learning moment wherein she saw her value to the community. “That’s the best way to be able to represent your district: to know it, to understand it, and sometimes you have to be proactive.”
Though she’s only been in city council for 18 months, Gates has handled many issues—from Ebola and earthquakes to city streets and wall ownership. As she runs around her neighborhood, she eagerly points out the conditions of the roads we come across, and talks about fallen trees with neighbors. And she’s always on the lookout for Fred (who, Gates found out, is the son of a Dallas city manager from the ’40s). “I swear, it’s the weirdest thing,” she says, “but if I’m having a really hard time, he just happens to be sitting there, waving at me, encouraging me on.”
Do you run with music and what’s your favorite running tune?
Yes, I run with my shuffle. It has only 43 songs on it. Artists include AC/DC, Black Eyed Peas, Bob Seger, BonJovi, Boston, Bruce Springsteen, Bran Adams, The Clash, Dave Matthews, Def Lepperd, Dixie Chicks, Earth Wind and Fire, Eli Young Band, Goo Goo Dolls, Hootie and the Blowfish, Huey Lewis and the News, The J Geils Band, Jack Ingram, John Cougar Mellencamp, Journey, Kid Rock, Kings of Leon, The Kinks, Matchbox Twenty, Neil Diamond, Pat Green Rob Thomas, Shooter Jennings, Sonny and Cher, Sugarland, U2, Van Morrison, Uncle Kracker, and David Nail.
What’s your favorite route?
The neighborhood route we ran, which is just under 4 miles. I also have a shortened 3-mile version and extended versions from 5 to 8 miles by extending the boundaries. I cross Royal and then Walnut Hill depending on how far I want to go.
What’s the longest distance you’ve run?
13.1 miles
At what point did you consider yourself a runner?
I still don’t. I just jog or run for physical fitness benefits, but I am not a real runner.
Have you done any half-marathons, marathons, or tris?
Yes, one half marathon to raise money for the Michael J Fox Foundation. My cousins and I had Team Hoobler in honor of my grandfather and uncle. My grandfather passed away from Parkinson’s and my uncle George is fighting the debilitating disease with strength and passion. It was an amazing experience to honor them, participate as a family, and challenge myself.
What is your favorite running app?
No favorite app, just good music. I used a Garmin watch with GPS to track distance when I was training for the half and when I participated in Adventure Racing, which included trail running, mountain biking, and canoeing. The adventure racing hobby was pre-council days.
What is your favorite piece of running gear?
I probably shouldn’t say this, but it would be my Moving Comfort jog bra (it is an essential) followed by my Balega hidden comfort socks. I complete the gear with a Lululemon shirt, Nike shorts or running tights—depending on the weather—and my ASICS.
Follow her on Twitter @cmjsgates.
