Miller leaves Observer for politics

Dallas Observer columnist and investigative reporter Laura Miller is leaving journalism to pursue a seat on the Dallas City Council.

Miller, 39, expects to announce her candidacy today for the District 3 council position currently held by Bob Stimson. The Oak Cliff councilman has told reporters that he intends to resign to run for county commissioner.

Miller began writing for the Observer in October 1991, five years after launching her column-writing career at The New York Daily News. She has won numerous national and regional honors for her work at the Observer, including the prestigious H.L. Mencken Award for her columns (1995); four Dallas Press Club Katie Awards for investigative reporting, government and political reporting, and column writing; and a Dallas Bar Association Philbin Award for her coverage of the Walker Railey trial.

During most of 1997, Miller took a leave of absence to spend time with her family. She recently returned to full-time work with the Observer, writing several columns about Dallas' proposed sports arena.

Miller says she eventually plans to return to journalism. She explains her reasons for seeking an unpaid Dallas City Council seat in this week's cover story, "Mr. Mayor, meet your nightmare."

A Dallas resident of 15 years, Miller lives in Oak Cliff with her husband, state Rep. Steve Wolens, and three children.