On May 7, 2016, Pope won the general election to replace outgoing mayor Glen Robertson, a current Republican candidate for Texas's 19th congressional district seat.

[2] In the campaign, Pope stressed public safety, including a new police facility, and planning for Lubbock's future growth.

[3] The 2020 Mayoral election, in which Pope is standing, was scheduled to take place on May 2, however was postponed to November 3 after a proclamation from Texas Governor Greg Abbott to allow political subdivisions to delay voting.

Pope is a former member of the Lubbock Independent School District Board of Trustees, and Rawls College of Business Advisory Council.

[6] In September 2020 Pope issued a public apology for not recusing himself from a vote that helped direct taxpayer money toward a business investment made by his wife.