McKinney businessman Curtis Rath to run for city council

Rath is the latest person to announce their candidacy for the city's at-large Council seat.

Curtis Rath

Businessman and long-time resident Curtis Rath tossed his hat into the political arena Monday morning when he filed his application for the at-large City Council seat.

"I am running for council, simply because I want to serve this community," says Rath, who moved to McKinney with his wife Tracy in 1987. Their daughter, Taryn, graduated from McKinney High School, where their son, Trenton is currently enrolled.

"I believe in transparency and accountability in our government," says Rath. "McKinney is facing a severe budget deficit of almost $6 million. We need city leaders who have the business knowledge and citizen desires in mind to know how to separate the needs from the wants - without disrupting the quality of life that we all moved to McKinney to find."

Rath's career experience makes him uniquely qualified for the job. Currently, Rath is the Director of Sales & Marketing for J. Rettenmaier USA, the North American division of a German based company. He most recently led a successful effort to turn around an unprofitable division.

"I have global expertise in building and directing organizations. As an innovative and strategic thinker, I have a strong understanding of balancing business goals and a solid record of achieving results. I look forward to utilizing my expertise for the citizens of McKinney."

A fiscal conservative, Rath is also a realist. "But more importantly, I also represent the everyday McKinney citizen - the person who works hard every day to provide for their family, supports their community, and mows his lawn on the weekend. I know what the community wants because I am a part of the community!"

With his experience, Rath brings a global perspective to the city council. "As an "Air Force brat," I grew up in 6 states and 3 countries and attended 13 different schools while my father served our country," he says. "There were some positive aspects to moving around a lot, but Tracy and I really wanted stability for our family and we found it in McKinney. Job transfers have taken us away a few times but we've always found a way to get back to the community and city that we love!"

Rath's currently writes a blog on McKinneyNews.net, taking a stance as the conservative voice in an effort to get people to think about what is happening around them. "The best part of the blog has been the reactions and dialog between the readers-I really get a feel for the pulse of the community," he says. "I try to raise issues and discussion that all of us should be willing to discuss in an open forum. It has been a great experience."

In addition to two undergraduate degrees from Kansas State University, Rath also holds an MBA from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. He and his family are members of First Baptist Church, where he has served in several leadership capacities.