Lewisville is growing fast. If you’ve driven down I-35E lately, you’ve seen it. The cranes, the new apartments, the constant orange cones. At the center of this whirlwind is the mayor of Lewisville TX, TJ Gilmore. Honestly, being a mayor in North Texas right now is kinda like trying to fix a plane while it’s flying.
Gilmore isn't some fresh-faced newcomer. He has been in the Lewisville mix since 2001. People often think the mayor is just a figurehead who cuts ribbons at grocery store openings. In Lewisville, that’s not really the case. Gilmore has been on the City Council since 2011, serving as Mayor Pro Tem twice before finally taking the big seat in 2021. He just got re-elected in May 2024, so he’s here for the long haul.
You've probably seen him on Facebook Live. He does these "Compact Council" videos. Basically, he breaks down boring 4-hour city meetings into 30-minute summaries. It’s actually pretty helpful if you care about where your tax dollars are going but don't want to die of boredom in a hard plastic chair at City Hall.
Who is TJ Gilmore?
He grew up in Yuma, Arizona. His dad was a cutting horse trainer and his mom worked as a hospital clerk. That’s a pretty grounded background. He graduated from the University of Arizona back in '96 and moved to Lewisville in the early 2000s.
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He’s married to Tanya, and they’ve got three kids: Bridget, Thomas, and William. When he’s not doing city stuff, he works as the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at the North Texas Commission. He also has a weirdly specific interest in mid-century modern houses. His wife says he "collects hobbies and hats."
What’s Actually Happening in Lewisville?
Most people complain about the traffic. It’s the North Texas anthem. But the mayor of Lewisville TX has been pushing for some stuff that actually makes sense for the future.
- The 10-Minute Walk: The city has a goal that every resident should be within a 10-minute walk of a park. They’re using bond money to fix up Wayne Frady Park and open new "pocket parks" on Mill Street.
- The TSTC Campus: This is a big one. Gilmore has been a loud voice for getting a Texas State Technical College campus in Lewisville. The idea is to train people for actual trade jobs—welding, mechanics, tech—instead of just more retail.
- Transit Innovation: Lewisville is part of the DCTA (Denton County Transportation Authority). Gilmore is the chair there. They’ve been trying to make the rail relevant, which, let’s be real, is a massive uphill battle in a car-obsessed state.
- The Tittle-McFadden Public Safety Center: This massive facility is supposed to be finished in 2025. It’s meant to give the police and fire departments the tech they need to actually do their jobs in a city that’s getting more crowded by the minute.
The Money Talk
Lewisville actually has one of the lowest tax rates in the region. That’s a point of pride for the current administration. They recently passed a few propositions—A, B, and C—covering everything from charter reviews to council compensation.
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Actually, speaking of council pay, that’s always a sticky subject. Proposition F was on a recent ballot to increase compensation for the mayor and council. It’s a tough sell to voters, but the argument is that if you want people who aren't just retired millionaires to run for office, you have to pay them something for the 40+ hours a week they put in.
The "Old Town" Renaissance
If you haven't been to Old Town Lewisville in a while, it’s different. It’s not just antique shops anymore. There are breweries, theaters, and a lot of specialized "Transit-Oriented Development." The mayor and the council are obsessed with making this area walkable. They’re putting in "complete streets" on Southwest Parkway, which basically means wider sidewalks, bike lanes, and more trees.
It’s about "quality of place." That’s the buzzword they use. Sorta fancy talk for "making it a spot where you actually want to hang out."
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What Most People Get Wrong
People think the mayor makes all the decisions. He doesn't. Lewisville uses a "Council-Manager" form of government. Think of the mayor as the Chairman of the Board and the City Manager (currently Claire Powell) as the CEO. The mayor leads the vision, but the manager runs the day-to-day operations.
Another misconception? That the city and the school district (LISD) are the same thing. They aren't. They are totally separate entities with separate budgets and separate taxes. If your school taxes go up, don't yell at the mayor of Lewisville TX. He has zero control over that.
What’s Next for Lewisville?
The 2026 elections are already creeping up. Candidate filing for City Council Places 1 and 3 just opened in January 2026. Bob Troyer and Ronni Cade are the incumbents there. If you’re unhappy with how things are going, that’s your chance to jump in.
The city is also looking at the "Northern Gateway" project near the lake. We're talking 300 acres of mixed-use development. It’s going to change the look of the north end of town completely.
Actionable Next Steps for Residents:
- Check your voter registration: If you want a say in the May 2, 2026, election, you need to be registered by April 2.
- Watch the "Compact Council": Follow the Mayor’s Facebook page for the video summaries. It's the easiest way to stay informed without reading 200-page PDF agendas.
- Use the City Dashboard: Lewisville has an online dashboard where you can track city spending and project progress. It’s surprisingly transparent for a local government.
- Visit the "Serve Lewisville" center: If you need social services, this "one-stop shop" was a major initiative to bring resources under one roof so you don't have to drive all over Denton County.
Lewisville is no longer just a suburb you pass through on the way to Denton or Dallas. It’s becoming its own destination, for better or worse. Whether you love the growth or hate the traffic, the mayor of Lewisville TX is the guy navigating the ship through 2027.