Casper dreams of working for students

By Judy Babb

When people decide to run for local office, often it is because they have a bee in their bonnet about something. They want to bring change. 

This was true in 2015 for Jeff Casper, then 25 and a Mesquite resident. He and his wife Emily were volunteers at the city animal shelter and had ideas for improvements. They were ignored when they made net-neutral suggestions — things that would cost the city nothing to implement — but would make life better for Mesquite. Ultimately, Emily formed a non-profit called Mesquite Animal Pawtners. Emily and Jeff put their heads together and made the decision. Jeff would run for the council seat. Jeff became the youngest city council member ever.

“I actually wanted Emily to run,” Jeff said. “She’s smarter than I am. But she’s an introvert so I ran.” That’s typical of decision-making in the Casper house. They make decisions together and support each other.

Jeff has lived in Mesquite for more than 30 years. He was raised by parents who struggled to stay afloat. They managed to raise a very special young man.

Casper graduated in 2005 as valedictorian from John Horn High School in Mesquite and was the first in his family to go to college. A scholarship sent him to the University of North Texas, but it wasn’t what Casper thought he needed. He had visions of becoming a lawyer, so he looked around and found Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. He took on every available grant and loan to pay for his sophomore and junior years there. He also worked as a paid intern for Republican senator from Nevada, John Ensign.

The internship proved to be an educational experience. He attended meetings and took notes. He drafted correspondence. “It was a little bit policy, a little bit news management, a little bit fundraiser,” he said. “I learned so much that year.”

After two years, Casper ran out of loan options and came back to UNT to finish his degree in poly science and government. He’s still whittling down the Georgetown loans. “I now teach my students about loans from private school,” Casper said with a chuckle.

Casper started his 10-year teaching career in West Mesquite High School teaching history and government and six years of dual credit government. He completed his master’s in Educational Leadership and Public Policy from UTA and simultaneously took another 18 hours in government at the American Military University. The masters and additional 18 hours — a master’s and a half, he calls it — allow him to teach dual credit at high schools and to teach at college, which he does at Eastfield. He moved to Dallas ISD’s New Tech High School this fall.

Casper’s six years as District 2 council person allowed him to work with others to get things changed. First, the council changed how animals are handled. No-tether laws and extreme weather laws were enacted as well as other pet friendly mandates. 

“We now have one of the most progressive animal shelters in Texas,” Casper said. The shelter practices catch, neuter and release.

Casper got the at-large system of electing council changed to single district — a success he is most proud of. This allows all citizens to have a voice and equal opportunity for city attention. He got city elections moved from May to November to increase participation. Police and fire departments benefitted from Casper’s diligence. The city hired civilians to handle non-first-responder jobs, allowing more than 10 first responders on the streets instead of doing desk duty. He also got pay-day loan abuses outlawed in Mesquite.

Life has changed remarkably for the Caspers. He and Emily, also a teacher, have 18-month-old son Canyon in their lives. “I think his thought processes on politics has changed,” Emily said. “He is looking at leadership as it aligns with his needs. He has to find how he is going to split his time so he’s using it wisely.”

Casper has people knocking on doors and telling his story. One of them is Judith Ortega, one of Casper’s students during his successful run for District 2.

“It gave us a real-life connection with politics,” Ortega said. “It let us see for ourselves how an election is run and how volunteers are organized and how it could be regular people running, not just people with money.” 

Ortega volunteered to be his photographer and her photos rock his flyers and posters. She also goes door to door in underserved areas. “We are getting the word out, getting people of color who don’t normally see a door knock at all,” she said.

Casper says there is much to do. He’s looking to make neighborhoods safer, improve roads and sidewalks, and improve quality of life by growing the economy. Those are lofty goals, but seeing Casper accomplish all he does, citizens know it’s doable.

Don’t look for Casper to continue a climb into politics. He tried to find suitable people to run for District 1 and is running himself because, as he said: “I failed. It’s always the wrong time.” 

He has a personal political goal. “I want to work for one of my students. I’d like to find a brown or black student, or a female working for a higher office and help them with their campaign. Wouldn’t that be a dream?”

Casper is the run-off for Mesquite District 1 city council place against David Burris. Election Day is Dec. 7.