Absentee balloting underway for city, school board races to be decided in May 6 election

By George Slaughter, News Editor
Posted 4/27/23

The Katy ISD Board of Trustees race has drawn local attention as three seats are open with no incumbents running in any of those races. Meanwhile, races for local city and school board seats are also entering the final stage, as absentee voting is now underway in advance of the May 6 election.

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Absentee balloting underway for city, school board races to be decided in May 6 election

Posted

The Katy ISD Board of Trustees race has drawn local attention as three seats are open with no incumbents running in any of those races. Meanwhile, races for local city and school board seats are also entering the final stage, as absentee voting is now underway in advance of the May 6 election.

Last day for early voting is May 2.

Katy City Council, Ward A

Ward A Council Member Janet Corte, a retired IT manager, is seeking her third term on the council. She faces Cara Bonin, a contractor.

Council Member-at-Large Chris Harris, a public safety consultant, and Ward B Council Member Rory Robertson, a financial advisor, were also to be on the May 6 ballot. However, neither drew an opponent, and under city law, they were both declared as having been re-elected at the council’s Feb. 27 meeting.

The winner of the Corte-Bonin race, along with Harris and Robertson, will take their oaths of office after the council canvasses the election returns in May. Harris and Robertson will be serving their final three-year terms under term limits, as will Corte if she is re-elected.

For polling times and locations, visit the website cityofkaty.com/government/city-departments/city-secretary/elections.

Katy ISD Board of Trustees, positions 3, 4 and 5

Positions 3, 4 and 5 are on the ballot, with none of the incumbents seeking re-election.

Three candidates have filed for the position 3 seat. They are Bruce Bradford, a mortgage loan originator; Shawn Miller, a professor, and Amy Thieme, a realtor.

Three candidates have filed for the position 4 seat. They are Erica Brettell, a stay-at-home mother; Morgan Calhoun, a stay-at-home mother, and Cicely Taylor, an education administrator.

Two candidates have filed for the position 5 seat. They are Mary Ellen Cuzela, a Katy ISD substitute teacher, and Shana Peterson, who is retired.

For polling times and locations, contact the katyisd.org/domain/4308.

Fort Bend County ESD #2

The Fort Bend County Emergency Services District #2 is holding an election that asks voters to approve a proposition that would authorize up to 2% to be captured by the district in all areas not yet at the state maximum sales and use tax rate of 8.25%.

In a news release, the district said four major issues faced the district which require more funding as the population in the 18.63 square mile district continues to grow. These issues include achieving full-time, four-person apparatus staffing per state and federal requirements; getting another squad/response team by 2025; migrating to more full-time firefighters and emergency personnel, and enhancing cancer prevention measures.

For polling times and locations, contact the Fort Bend Elections Administrator’s office at 281-341-8670.

Brookshire Mayor

Incumbent Mayor Darrell Branch, who was elected in 2019, is in a rematch against Eric Scott, who served as mayor from 2013-19. Branch is a facility manager. Scott listed himself as unemployed on his candidate application form.

For polling times and locations, call the Waller County Elections Office at 979-826-7643.

Brookshire City Council, position 2

The mayor’s race is getting the most attention, but there is another contested municipal race. Position 2 Alderman Lyndon Stamps is not seeking re-election. Tony McAnally, a retired nonprofit executive, and Jimmy Sanders, a teacher, are running for that seat. Sanders is running as a right-in candidate.

Position 1 Alderman Monique Taylor drew no opponents and will continue serving on the council.

For polling times and locations, call the Waller County Elections Office at 979-826-7643.

Pattison City Council, positions 3, 4, and 5

Three city council seats are up for election. However, the three incumbents are not seeking re-election. Only one of the three races is contested. In that race, for position 5,

have chosen holding positions 3, 4 and 5—Robert McCallum, Seth Stokes and Randall Flowers, respectively—are not seeking re-election. Only one of the three races is contested.

For position 3, Ken Coulter, who is retired, is running unopposed.

For position 4, Wesley “Sandy” Buller, who is self-employed, is running unopposed.

For position 5, Daphney Kirby, who is a business owner, faces Princella Beckley Lazard, who is a bus monitor.

For polling times and locations, call the Waller County Elections Office at 979-826-7643.

Royal ISD bond

Royal ISD in January placed a $144 million bond issue for voter consideration. The bond comprises 36 projects split into five categories: safety and security, new construction, athletics, existing facilities and technology.

Royal ISD Board of Trustee election will be in November.

For polling times and locations, call the Waller County Elections Office at 979-826-7643.

election, Katy City Council, Katy ISD Board of Trustees, Fort Bend County ESD #2, Brookshire City Council, Pattison City Council, Royal ISD bond