Anzaldua defeats Sucher in mayoral rematch; Miller recalled

Gonzales will have a new mayor as Isaac Anzaldua unseated incumbent Mayor Steve Sucher during complete but unofficial returns in the Saturday, May 3 election.

Meanwhile, both incumbent Gonzales ISD trustees, Gloria Torres and Justin Schwausch, were returned to office by voters in their respective districts. And District 4 city voters approved a measure to remove Councilmember Ronda Miller from office by a 53-vote margin.

Anzaldua received 606 total votes to 469 for Sucher as he built up a large early and absentee lead of 442-327 and maintained his lead when election day totals were added into the mix.

“I would like to give thanks to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for allowing me to be here at this stage of my journey,” Anzaldua told the Inquirer. “To my Mom and Grandparents, rest easy. WE DID IT!

“To the Community of Gonzales, THANK YOU for believing in what we can accomplish together and we look forward to the journey to come as we continue to work hand and hand with the community and build the relationships that will continue to unite The Greatest City in Texas! I'll be proud to be the Mayor that represents you.”

Anzaldua also reached out to Sucher and his wife, Linda K, thanking them “for the great leadership that they served Gonzales with day in and day out.”

“I sent my congratulations to Isaac Anzaldua this evening when I saw the early voting returns. He absolutely smoked me in this campaign!” Sucher posted on his Facebook page. “I am excited about Gonzales's future with Isaac as mayor and wish him and the community the very best. It will be an honor for me to carry the title of former mayor of Gonzales TX, and Linda K and I are grateful for the time we had serving our fair town.”

Miller was the subject of a recall petition that was submitted to the Gonzales City Council last fall. The measure was placed on a ballot for just District 4 voters. Those voting yes to Miller’s ouster were 216 to 161 voting against.

According to Sec. 6.09 of the Gonzales City Charter, if a majority of the votes cast at such an election cast a yes to recall a person named on the ballot, he/she shall, regardless of any technical defects in the recall petition, be deemed removed from office and the vacancy be filled as vacancies in the city council are filled as provided in Section 3.06 of the charter.

“I just want to say thanks to the people who got out to vote against the recall,” Miller told the Inquirer Saturday night.

Miller’s position on the council will officially be declared vacant after the results of the election are canvassed within five days of the election, per Sec. 3.06 of the Gonzales City Charter.

That portion of the charter also states that in the event of a vacancy in the City Council, if there are between 90 and 365 days remaining in the term of the vacant City Council office then “City Council shall, within 30 days of the vacancy occurring, by majority vote of the remaining members of City Council, appoint an individual to the vacancy for the remaining term of the vacant office.”

Miller’s term would not have ended officially until May 2, 2026 — less than 365 days from the May 3 election date this year.

Torres, a longtime GISD incumbent, faced a challenge from Ale Hernandez in the District 1 race, but won by 27 votes, 165-138. Torres had a 34-vote lead going into Election Day that held up.

“First of all, I want to give all glory to God on this successful win,” Torres said. “Second, to my District 1 supporters who continue to believe in me and supported me with their vote. Last, but not least, to my family, who helped me throughout this whole process! I'm ready to get to work and continue to be the voice for our community.”

Schwausch was challenged by Rocky Gallegos in District 2, yet won 127-72 after taking a 48-vote lead following early voting.

“The constituents of Gonzales ISD District 2 have spoken and I heard you loud and clear,” Schwausch said. “Thank you to all who voted and I appreciate each and every one of y’all. Let’s continue to Grow Greatness!”

Diana C. Olmos is the new mayor in Waelder after she came from behind to defeat Mike Harris, the mayor pro tem who was had stepped into the position following the death of Mayor Roy Tovar last year.

Olmos was behind by three votes, 74-71, after early and absentee voting, but outpolled Harris on election day, 47-35, to win by just nine votes, 118-109.

Incumbent Martha Melchor was re-elected to the council and will be joined by Margie Zapata and Dora Martinez as the top three vote-getters out of a field of seven candidates. Melchor had 157 votes, while Zapata had 115 and Martinez had 82. Incumbent Marie Ibarra Almaraz had 75; Adam Ibarra had 59; incumbent Rachel Vargas Martinez had 51 and Curtis Hadnot Jr. had 38.

In Nixon, incumbent councilmembers Patsy Scherrer and Patricia Dingler will be joined on the council by Jessica “Jae” Garcia. Scherrer led all candidates with 93 votes, while Garcia had 88. Dingler received 74 and TJ Lopez received 42. The top three candidates were elected.

In Smiley, incumbents Diana P. Moreno and Daniel Benavidez were re-elected while Elisa D. Douglas was elected as well out of a field of seven candidates for three spots. Moreno had 77 votes, while Douglas had 76 and Benavidez had 65. Mike Mills had 45, Michaela Mills had 40, Michelle Alvarez Mills had 36 and incumbent Lori Price, who announced she was no longer running due to an impending move out of state, had nine votes.