With Liberty County primary elections now in the rearview mirror, focus is now being directed at the upcoming elections for positions on city councils and school boards, set to be held on Saturday, May 4. Notably, some entities were able to avoid elections altogether due to candidates being unopposed. These include Hardin ISD, Dayton ISD, City of Hardin, Hull-Daisetta ISD, Liberty County Hospital District No. 1, Devers ISD, and the City of Devers.
The City of Kenefick initially seemed destined for an election. However, the two challengers dropped out of the races, allowing the city to avoid an election after all.
Tarkington ISD, which holds its trustee elections in November, is holding a special election for a bond referendum. Look for details on the bond referendum in an upcoming article.
City of Ames, Texas
There are three positions up for election in the City of Ames – Position 1, 2 and 4. Position 1 Councilman Michael James Trahan is running unopposed. For Position 2, incumbent Councilwoman Elizabeth Hardy is facing a challenge from Cornelius Gilmore. For Position 4, Alfred Lee Freeman Jr., the incumbent, is being challenged by Martin Eric Morris.
City of Cleveland
For Cleveland City Council, one incumbent – Position 4 Councilwoman Desiree David – has signed up for another term and is unopposed. The departure of Councilman Eddie Lowery, who has moved outside the City, has left Position 3 up for grabs, though only one candidate – Brent McWaters – signed up for the seat.
Another longtime councilman, Fred Terrell, is not seeking reelection and has two candidates – Rachel Hall and Sophia Johnson – vying for the seat. Hall is currently a member of Cleveland EDC.
City of Daisetta
The City of Daisetta almost avoided an election as three of its council seats – Positions 1, 3 and 5 – are unopposed. Only the seat of mayor has two candidates – incumbent Erik Thaxton and Chancie Bailey, the latter of which currently serves on city council.
Position 1 Councilwoman Cindy Burchfield, Position 3 Councilwoman Lori Tidwell and Position 5 Councilman Andrew McCluskey will be sworn into new terms after the May election.
According to City Secretary Joan Caruthers, Bailey will only have to resign her position on city council if she wins the mayor’s seat. The council will appoint someone to fill her previous seat in that case.
City of Dayton
The City of Dayton has two positions on the ballot in May – Position 1 and Position 2 council seats. Position 1 Councilwoman Sherial Lawson, who previously served and was appointed to the position after the death of former councilman Dwight Pruitt, is seeking election to the position. She will face off against Harry Barnes.
The Position 2 race has drawn four candidates, including the current councilwoman Janette Frick and a former councilman Alvin Burress. They are vying for the seat against two challengers – Sarah Vickery and Troy Barrett.
City of Liberty
In January, longtime Liberty Mayor Carl Pickett announced he will not seek another term after 18 years, leaving an opening for new leadership. Councilman Chipper Smith also is not seeking reelection.
Two candidates have signed up to run for mayor – current City Councilman John Hebert Jr. and Rudy Cole.
Five people have tossed their names in the hat for three at-large positions – incumbents Tommy Brents and Ed Seymour, and challengers Bill Griffin, Matt Harris, Greg Satler and Ross Ward. The top three vote-getters will claim those seats.
City of Plum Grove, Texas
Plum Grove Mayor Mary Arrendell will be sworn into another term after the May election after no candidate signed up to run against her.
Two council positions, currently held by husband and wife, Rodney Walker and Lee Ann Penton Walker, both of whom were appointed to their positions, are facing challenges.
Former Councilwoman Froy Ortiz is seeking the same seat as Rodney Walker while former Councilman Diana Chun is running against Lee Ann Penton Walker.
Cleveland ISD
Position 1 Trustee Kelly Axton and Position 2 Trustee Robert Howell are not seeking reelection. Former trustee Aaron Montesnieto and Bethany Porter have signed up for Position 1. For Position 2, only one candidate – Shaquille Eugene Sampson – signed up.
Cleveland ISD Board President Chris Wood is seeking reelection. He is being challenged by Jennifer Pena.
Liberty ISD
Liberty ISD Board President Lance Lawrence (Position 3) is seeking reelection in the May election, though he faces a challenger, Manuel Martinez IV.
Two candidates are vying for Position 6 – Jeffrey Ryan and Bruce George. That seat is currently held by Trustee Rachel Odell who announced she is not seeking reelection.
City of Dayton, City Council: Sherial Lawson previously held Position 2 on city council and was not appointed, but elected last May to fill the unexpired term for Position 1 vacated by the untimely death of Dwight Pruitt.