Mostly incumbents filing for elected office

More than halfway through the filing period for the May 6 school board and city council elections, it appears that mostly incumbents have signed up to run for office.

Interested parties can submit an application to run for office up until 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 17. 

In order to run for office, according to Texas Election Code Section 141.01, an individual must be a citizen of the United States; 18 years of age or older on the first day of the term to be filled at election; have not been determined mentally incompetent by a final judgment of a court; have not been finally convicted of a felony from which the person has not been pardoned or otherwise released from the disabilities; have resided continuously in the state for 12 months and in the territory as applicable for six months immediately preceding the deadline for filing an application for a place on the ballot. Candidates also must satisfy any other eligibility requirements prescribed by law for a particular office.

Gonzales City Council

Seats available on the Gonzales City Council include District 3 (Bobby O’Neal) and District 4 (Ronda Miller). According to City Secretary Kristina Vega, “We have not received any applications for place on the District 3 or 4 ballot yet.”

Nixon city

Seats available on the Nixon City Council include ones held at-large by Justin LaFleur, Mary Ann Fatheree and Rene Amaya. City Secretary Tanya Torres said, “I will send the final list on Tuesday 2.21.2022. Feb. 17 is the last day to file at 5 p.m.  I will have a final and correct number for you at that time.”

Smiley city

Seats available on the Smiley City Council include ones held at-large by Linda Warzecha, Diane P. Moreno and Elisa Douglas. According to City Secretary Deborah Bustamente, “Only three have filed so far: Elisa Douglas, Diana Moreno and Rick Forester.”

Waelder city

Seats available on the Waelder City Council include ones held at-large by Michael Harris, Valentino Hernandez and Curtis Hadnot Jr. City Secretary Melinda Caballero said Michael L. Harris will appear on the ballot as Mike Harris and Robert R. Tovar will appear on the ballot as Robert (Kido) Tovar. They are the only people to have filed so far.

Gonzales ISD

Seats available include District 3 (Glenn Menking), District 6 (Sue Gottwald) and District 5 (Ross Hendershot III). “So far we have Mr. Glenn Menking (Dist 3), Mr. Ross Hendershot III (Dist 5) and Ms Sue Gottwald from District 6. They are the only ones that have filed so far,” said Lucy Pena, administrative assistant to GISD superintendent Dr. Elmer Avellenada.

Nixon-Smiley CISD

Seats available include Place 4 (Chris Villasana) and Place 6 (Aly Tschoepe). “Our two incumbents have refiled. Chris Villasana and Aly Tschoepe,” said Cindy Lott, Nixon-Smiley CISD office manager.

Waelder ISD

At-large seats available include those currently held by Dora Noyola and Diana Olmos. “Only the incumbents have filed so far, Dora Noyola and Diana Olmos,” said Superintendent Ron Lilie.

The last day to register to vote in the May 6 election is Thursday, April 6. Early voting begins Monday, April 24 and continues through Tuesday, May 2.