Candidates filed for all three available spots on Paris City Council in the May 1 municipal election, according to City Clerk Janice Ellis. Mihir âMarkâ Pankaj, a local hotelier who serves as a Paris Economic Development Corp. director and Paris ISD trustee, became the first candidate to enter the race early Tuesday, followed by incumbents Mayor Pro Tem Paula Portugal from District 7 and Linda Knox from District 5. Pankaj filed for the District 4 spot currently held by Mayor Steve Clifford, who is term limited. âIâm running because I want to give back to the city that has helped shape my life and has given back so much to me,â Pankaj said. âI also want to continue the progress in growing our community and to help put Paris on the map. We must look out for the needs of our citizens, and that always comes first.