A candidate for Carrollton-Farmers Branch school board is on probation for driving while intoxicated and was disqualified from a 1995 Arlington City Council race because of felony convictions for which he has since received a pardon. He faces Lynn Chaffin. The 1998 DWI arrest was for a misdemeanor and will not prevent Mr. Mills from seeking office, officials said. The 24-month probationary period ends in July, according to Tarrant County records. Mr. Mills was granted a pardon in 1997 in connection with three counts of theft, three counts of credit card theft, two counts of escape and one count of interference with government property, according to Kathy Browning of the Georgia Board of Pardons and Paroles.
People make mistakes every day of their lives.
Mr. Mills is eligible to run in the May 5 election, according to Elizabeth Hanshaw, director of the legal division for the Texas Secretary of State's office. She said convicted felons are prohibited from seeking public office in Texas unless they've received a pardon or their records have been expunged. The school district's attorney, Bob Luna, said the district does not conduct criminal background checks on candidates for the school board. Instead, the district relies on sworn statements from the candidates. Ms. Chaffin, seeking her second term on the school board, said she did not want to comment without knowing the details.