More familiar faces are emerging as candidates for the City of Katy’s city council in the May 2, 2026, election where voters will choose three new representatives.

The election will decide replacements for the At Large Councilmember Chris Harris, who also serves at the Mayor Pro Tem; Ward A Councilmember Janet Corte; and Ward B Councilmember Rory Robertson, all of whom are term-limited and cannot run again.

Local businessman J.R. Richardson II has filed to run for the Ward A position while Aubra Bailey II has filed to run for the at-large position. Chris Sword has also appointed a campaign treasurer, but it was not clear in paperwork filed with the city which position he is running for.

Richardson is a Senior Channel Manager at Consolidated Communications, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Bailey is the founder of Covenant Community Xd, a charitable organization based in Katy.

Sword’s Facebook page shows that he works for Maintain It Pools.

As of January 16, the following filing information had been received by the City of Katy:

COUNCILMEMBER AT-LARGE

Paul Follis · Campaign Finance Report (filed 01-14-2026) · Code of Fair Campaign Practices (filed 01-14-2026)

· Application for Place on the Ballot (filed 01-14-2026) · Appointment of Campaign Treasurer (filed 12-15-2025)

COUNCILMEMBER WARD A

J.R. Richardson II · Campaign Finance Report (files 01-15-2026) · Appointment of Campaign Treasurer (filed 01-14-2026)

· Application for Place on the Ballot (filed 01-14-2026)


COUNCILMEMBER WARD B

Michael Payne · Campaign Finance Report (filed 01-14-2026) · Code of Fair Campaign Practices (filed 01-14-2026)

· Application for Place on the Ballot (filed 01-14-2026) · Appointment of Campaign Treasurer (filed 12-03-2025)

Michael D. Meihls, Jr. · Campaign Finance Report (filed 01-15-2026) · Code of Fair Campaign Practices (filed 01-15-2026

· Application for Place on the Ballot (filed 01-15-2026) · Appointment of Campaign Treasurer (filed 01-06-2026)


CAMPAIGN TREASURER APPOINTMENTS/FINANCE REPORTS

Lyn Sullivan

· Campaign Finance Report (filed 01-15-2026)
· Appointment of Campaign Treasurer (filed 12-16-2025)


Chris Sword

· Appointment of Campaign Treasurer (filed 12-23-2025)

Arbra Bailey II

· Appointment of Campaign Treasurer (filed 12-29-2025)
· Campaign Finance Report (filed 01-08-2026)


Durran Dowdle
· Campaign Finance Report (filed 01-08-2026)


Early voting takes place at the Katy Civic Center, 910 Avenue C in Katy, starting January 20 through January 24 and then again on January 26 and 27. Polls are open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Election Day is January 31.