Port Arthur Independent School District board member Rev. Donald Ray Frank Sr. has announced he is running for the Position 8 seat on the Port Arthur City Council.

Frank is serving is fourth term on the PAISD board and is presently the vice president. He was board president for two terms.

“Now, it’s time to turn interests toward the city,” Frank said. “I think it’s a natural progression.”

Frank said he would not have to resign from the PAISD board unless he wins the election, which is scheduled for May 2.

“I will be running to win, of course, but still operating in school board capacity until the election,” he said.

Frank is senior pastor of New Hope Missionary Baptist Church in Port Arthur and has been there 16 years. He grew up in Port Arthur and graduated from Lincoln High School in 1975.

He served in the U.S. Air Force, attended Lamar University and earned degrees from American Baptist Theological Seminary and United Theological Seminary, as well as master’s and doctorate degrees from Aspen Christian College in Colorado.

“I’m a veteran,” he said. “I served in the U.S. Air Force. My children were educated here in Port Arthur. Children are always the reason why I do what I do. If the citizens will have me in that capacity, I will be honored to serve.”

Frank believes his experience as a board president helped prepare him for a role in city government. He hopes to help Port Arthur approach the same All-American City status it attained in 1973.

“I think our city has reached a political juncture,” he said. “With our city going through a charter change, it’s time to align all our resources economically. I’ve always been a proponent of all government entities working together. The PAISD was instrumental in helping our community get through Harvey. It’s important for us to align our resources, because that’s going to be important for growth.”

His ex-wife, Kaprina Richardson Frank, is the current Position 8 councilwoman, but will be term-limited in 2020.