AREA CITIES, SCHOOL DISTRICTS GETTING READY FOR ELECTION DAY

  

Washington County’s ballot for the May 2 election only includes the Burton City Council race, but neighboring cities and school districts have several seats up for election and some propositions to consider.

Among the items of note are a school bond proposition in La Grange, a mayoral race in Caldwell, a city charter election in Giddings, and council or school board races across Giddings, Caldwell, Somerville, Snook, Round Top, Hempstead, Navasota and Sealy.

LA GRANGE

Voters in La Grange ISD will decide on a $90 million proposal for the purpose of funding renovations, additions and other projects at the elementary, middle and high school campuses, as well as districtwide facility improvements and new school buses.

ROUND TOP

The Town of Round Top has two alderman seats up for election.  Running are incumbent Lou Ann Phillips, Brooke Michie and David Barr.

GIDDINGS

The City of Giddings will have a new mayor, as current officeholder Joel Lopez did not seek another term, and the lone candidate is current councilmember Linda Pruitt.  There are also two council seats up for election, sought by four candidates: incumbent Mark D. Muniz, former mayors Charlie Brown and John Dowell, and Miranda Droemer Hildebrand.  Citywide, residents will vote on 11 charter amendment propositions.

Giddings ISD has five candidates running for two seats.  Jason B. Locke and Roy Kruemcke Jr. are running for re-election and are challenged by Whitney Keilberg, Lori Melcher and Natalie Mendoza. 

CALDWELL

The City of Caldwell has a contested mayor’s race with current mayor Janice Easter opting not to run again.  Seeking her position are Brad Oliver and John Rychlik.  Two alderman seats are pursued by three candidates, including incumbents Jessie Enrique Jr. and Lee Glidewell, as well as challenger Thomas Trnka.

Caldwell ISD will have three candidates vying for two seats: incumbents Pam Evans and William Foster, along with challenger Dustin Strange. 

SOMERVILLE

The City of Somerville has three open alderman seats and four candidates for them.  Incumbents Laura Hoover, Jeff Schoppe and Carmen Stallions are running for re-election, and they are joined in the race by Cecily Young. 

Somerville ISD has four candidates for two trustee positions.  Incumbents Kim Casanova and Keith Howe are running along with Brian Healy and Sandy Thompson.

SNOOK

The Snook City Council has seven candidates running for three seats in this election, and the council will see at least two new faces as a result.  Faustina Vega is running for re-election, but current councilmembers Matt Collins and John Pollock are not.  Also in the race are Kerrigan Bomnskie, MandiLee Demke, Charles Dunlap, Brad Hays, Clarence Junek and Ryan Taylor. 

For the Snook ISD Board of Trustees, four candidates are pursuing two seats.  Joey Withem filed for re-election, but Adam Janac is not running for another term.  Holly Giesenschlag, Natalie See-Kovar and Lauren Williams have also filed. 

NAVASOTA

Navasota’s city council has one contested seat up for election.  Dia Copeland, Patrick Ross and Lisa Wells are seeking the position held by Grant Holt, who is not running for re-election.

HEMPSTEAD

The City of Hempstead has two contested council seats.  Rooster Smith is running for re-election against Karon Neal, while the position of Nora Hodges, who is not on the ballot, is sought by Luther Jones and Mildred Jefferson.

Hempstead ISD’s Board of Trustees has two positions up for election.  Connie Wawarofsky is running for re-election against Marvin Hood and Maria Orostieta.  The seat of Hoveta Godines, who is not seeking another term, has Tony Cobb, Rick Dempsey, Diana Perez and Sharon Thibodeaux vying for election. 

SEALY

The Sealy City Council has one position being voted on and three candidates in the running.  The seat of Dee Anne Lerma, who has reached her term limit, will be filled by one of Geoffrey Hyatt, Chrissy Suzanne McGee or Robert “Bobby” Necker.