Benavidez outgains Mills by one vote in Smiley mayoral race

Smiley City Councilmember Lisa Dominguez Benavidez appears to have beaten incumbent Smiley Mayor Michael K. Mills by one vote, 69-68, in complete but unofficial returns.

Meanwhile, Melva Robinson Childress, Ellis Villasana and Michaela Mills appear to have been elected to the Smiley City Council as the top three vote-getters in that race.

Benavidez and Mills have been involved in a heated, heavily contested race. While Benavidez outpolled Mills, 53-23, in early voting, Mills outgained Benavidez, 43-13, on election day. The difference in the race came down to absentee ballots, where Benavidez received three and Mills had just two.

The city council must canvass the election results not before the third day after the election, but no later than after the 11th day after the election.

Because the outcome of the election is within less than a 10 percent margin of victory, Mills is entitled under Texas law to petition Election Administrator Gwen Schaefer for a recount as long as it is made by 5 p.m. of the second day after the Smiley City Council canvasses the election. The governing body is not allowed to conduct a recount on its own motion. The cost of a recount would be borne by the candidate seeking the recount.

“Thank you to all of my supporters,” Benavidez said in a Facebook chat group for Smiley residents. “The Lord heard all our prayers! Thank you Lord!”

In the City Council race, Childress received 63 votes, while Villasana got 57 and Michaela Mills received 54. Other candidates polling included Lori Price with 48, Silvia Garcia McKinney with 28 and Joshua Redus with seven.