Scarface, member of trailblazing rap group The Geto Boys, was one of the candidates for Houston’s City Council and did pretty good in the polls for his very first run at politics.
Scarface, born Brad Jordan, went head to head with Dr. Carolyn Evans-Shabazz, 66, in a run-off election for District D. The district covers a population of over 200,000 people on the south and southeast sides of Houston.
Dr. Evans-Shabazz eventually won the run-off election to obtain the seat, formerly occupied by council member Dwight Boykins, on Saturday, Dec. 14.
She obtained 62.16 percent of the votes, while Jordan nabbed 37.84 percent, an impressive feat for someone who doesn’t have a history of politics.
Jordan, 49, was running for an area of Houston he grew up in that was known for its chronic poverty, gang activity and increasing crime.
Black people represent 53 percent of the population in the district. Of that demographic, 30 percent make less than $25,000 a year.
He was determined to make the neighborhood a safer place for its residents.
“You can sit back and point fingers at the problem or you can actually come back and address it,” he said to media. “We need a chance and we need the opportunity…We deserve that quality of life.”
Listed as Brad ‘Scarface’ Jordan on the actual ballot, his fans came out in droves, but it wasn’t enough to outnumber supporters of Dr. Evans-Shabazz.
Polls showed that Jordan needed more votes from older black females in order to win the race. The more conservative voters chose Dr. Evans-Shabazz for her educator background and past experience in politics.
Jordan did not win this election, but his future in politics look hopeful if continues to pursue a role in the field.