Editor’s note: where possible we have linked the candidates to their campaign websites.
Yesterday was the last day to file to run for the open city council seats in most of the races. The mayor’s seat is also open because Oscar Leeser has termed out. Of the eight city council members, three are running for mayor. They are Cassandra Hernandez, Brian Kennedy and Isabel Salcido. Hernandez’ term ends this election cycle and both Kennedy and Salcido had to resign under the Texas resign-to-run provision. But because of the holder over provision, Kennedy and Salcido remain on the city council until their successors are elected, along with Hernandez. The election is on November 5.
Voters will be voting to fill the mayor’s seat, and for representatives in District 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7. Only Chris Canales in District 8 and Art Fierro in District 6 do not have to defend their seats. Districts 1 and 5 must hold special elections to fill the seats vacated because Kennedy and Salcido are running for the mayoral seat. The last day to file to run in District 1 and District 5 is September 4.
Yesterday was the last day to file to run for Districts 2, 3, 4 and 7, as well as the mayor’s office.
In the mayor’s race, going into yesterday, there were nine candidates with the possibility of a tenth candidate joining the field of mayoral candidates. By the time the window closed to file to run for mayor, there were only seven candidates left in the mayoral race.
They are Marco Antonio Contreras, Elizabeth Cordova, Cassandra Hernandez, Brian Kennedy, Renard Johnson, Isabel Salcido and Steven Winters. Although Jacob Chavira and Roberto Ryan Houle had filed campaign treasurer designations for the mayoral seat, they did not file the necessary application to be on the ballot. Joe Pickett, who had been rumored to wanting to run for the mayor’s seat, announced yesterday that he was not running.
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In District 2, incumbent Josh Acevedo faces challenger Isabel Ceballos Otten. Acevedo was elected in January to fill the unexpired term of Alexsandra Annello, who resigned to run for state representative.
In District 3 there are four candidates running for the open seat. Fabiola Arellano, Kenneth Bell, Deanna Maldonado-Rocha, Jose Rodriguez and Jesse Romero.
In District 4, incumbent Joe Molinar is defending his seat against three challengers. They are Dorothy “Sissy” Byrd, Cynthia Boyer Trejo and Wesley Lawrence.
In District 7, Fabiola Campos Lopez, Chris Hernandez, Lily Limón and Alan Serna are running.
The filing deadline for District 1 and 5 is September 4. As of this morning, four candidates have filed for District 1. They are Sam Armijo, Alejandra Chavez, Tom Handy and Monica Reyes. In District 5, Salvador “Sal” Padilla filed to run for that seat.
However, because the deadline to file for District 1 and 5 remains open until September 4, additional candidates may file to run in those seats.