Congratulations Shirley McKellar!

A life-long public servant, McKellar was victorious in her quest to win a leadership seat on the Tyler City Council in her hometown of Tyler, Texas.

On Saturday night, the District 3 seat was divinely placed in her hands following a runoff against Pamela Phoenix, a local transplant who made Tyler her home after a forced evacuation following Hurricane Katrina.

Despite a close margin of votes and a low voter turnout, McKellar proved the favor of the Lord and the endorsement of the local community were what matters most.

She is undisputedly: Council Woman Shirley McKellar. 

““I believe that I won because the people in northwest Tyler wanted someone that they could reach out to and recognize someone that they know had already had their boots on the ground, someone who’s already been in this community.”

The aforementioned quote, given to the Tyler Morning Telegraph,  McKellar summed up her victory sentiments Saturday night, but it is important that the political community remember that this seasoned politician is humble. While this is her first elected, political designation, it is not her first rodeo by a longshot. Previous attempts included congressional runs against longterm dumbcumbant Gohmert.

McKellar successfully won the democratic nomination, but was defeated four times. In true fashion of a woman of valor, she recalibrated and forged ahead setting her eyes on local community, an area that perhaps needed her most in the short haul before she catapults her political career to greater heights. The latter will likely come to pass. Stay tuned.

McKellar is the charming “daughter-blossom” of a Tyler rose grower, and her roots run deep in East Texas. At the age of 71, she is a retired nurse and United States Army Veteran whose beauty and stylish presentation precedes any and all political ambitions.

She is an avid community volunteer, a mainstay in the democratic party with visibility that includes the Congressional Black Caucus and the Demoncratic National Convention and as it relates to me, she is mother of my college roommate/line sister, Danna McKellar, who unselfishly spent time with me (lunch/shopping) on Saturday morning and afternoon during my On Boarding training near Tyler, Texas for Mercy Ships. The latter is a hallmark of our Greek organization. “We help each other…” and we three are all progressive women of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.

On the campaign trail, McKellar offered the following to Tyler’s ABC-KLTV:

“I actually worked to lead the Intensive Care Unit in the 94th general hospital,” says McKellar. “Also, I am a member of the National Leadership Success Program at the University of Texas at Tyler which is my Alma Mater.”

If elected McKellar is also interested in park improvements in the district and plans to focus on bringing new businesses to the North Tyler area.

“I think it’s really crucial that we have more businesses come into North Tyler,” says McKellar. “I should not have to drive across town to shop.”

See full interview: https://www.kltv.com/2019/04/10/election-preview-tyler-city-council-candidates-share-their-goals-office/