Dallas, Texas -- Michael "Doc" Hinojosa, former Dallas Independent School District superintendent, longtime public education leader and proud Dallas ISD graduate, today announced his campaign for mayor of Dallas. Dr. Hinojosa enters the race after more than four decades in public service and education, including more than 27 years as an award-winning superintendent and CEO of multiple school districts across Texas and the nation.
"Dallas shaped my life, my career and my commitment to public service. I am running for mayor because I believe our city is at a critical inflection point and needs strong, proven leadership now more than ever," said Dr. Michael 'Doc' Hinojosa. "When I took over as superintendent of Dallas ISD, our education system was failing our children. By the time I stepped aside, we had built a program that was on track to give our kids one of the best educations in Texas. As your next mayor, we will turn our city around and make it THE best place to raise a family in all of Texas."
Dr. Hinojosa grew up in Oak Cliff, the son of Mexican immigrants, and graduated from Sunset High School. After stints as a teacher, coach, and superintendent across Texas, he took on the leadership of DISD and helped transform one of the largest urban school districts in America. Under his leadership, graduation rates went up, dropout rates went down, and in just four years, the number of failing schools went from 43 to 4.
The Dallas Morning News called him a "steadying force" and said he "gained recognition overseeing innovative efforts that turned around failing schools." Dr. Hinojosa also made DISD a national leader in college and career pathways, creating programs at nearly every high school in the district to offer students associate's degrees, paid internships and trade certificates to set them up for higher-paying jobs.
"From classrooms to boardrooms, I have spent my career focused on results, accountability and service. This campaign will be about listening to Dallas residents, strengthening neighborhoods and building a city where opportunity reaches every corner of Dallas," Hinojosa said. "From Oak Cliff to Oak Lawn, and from Downtown to Deep Ellum, our city's greatest strength is its people. Dallas deserves leadership that understands how to bring communities together, keep our communities safe, make Dallas more affordable, face complex challenges head-on, and expand opportunity for every family."
About Michael 'Doc' Hinojosa
Dr. Michael Hinojosa served more than 27 years as a Superintendent of six public education systems, including Dallas ISD. From teacher and coach to superintendent, his career spanned four decades, and he retired from the Dallas ISD in June 2022 after a long and successful career in public education.
With a firm belief that education, not environment, is the key to a student's success, he has led several school districts to improved student achievement. Dr. Hinojosa's recognitions include being named 2002 Superintendent of the Year by the Texas Association of School Boards and 2005 Superintendent of the Year by the University of Texas at Austin. He was honored as Distinguished Alumnus by the College of Education at Texas Tech University and as the Outstanding Latino Educator by the Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents in 2014.
In 2019, D Magazine named Dr. Hinojosa the "Best Public Official" in Dallas. The Council of the Great City Schools awarded him the Green-Garner Award, the highest honor in urban education, as the 2020 Urban Educator of the Year. In 2022, he received the Champion of Science and Medicine from the Dallas County Medical Society. He is also a past president of the Texas Association of School Administrators. He currently serves as Superintendent-in-Residence for both the Council of Great City Schools and the Texas Urban Council.
Dr. Hinojosa, a proud graduate of Dallas ISD, holds a doctorate in education from the University of Texas at Austin. A proud father of three adult sons, Dr. Hinojosa and his wife Kitty reside just outside of Downtown Dallas.
