More election information, updates and results will be posted at www.communityimpact.com.
Pflugerville is in Travis County. Round Rock and Hutto are in Williamson County.
Here is a rundown of some items of interest on the ballot:
U.S. House District 10
Incumbent Rep. Michael McCaul is running against Democratic candidate Tawana Cadien and Libertarian candidate Bill Kelsey. McCaul has served six terms as a congressman. U.S. representatives are elected to serve two-year terms.
Last month, we asked McCaul and Cadien about the challenges facing District 10—their responses can be found here. Rep. McCaul leads the race with the most campaign contributions.
U.S. House District 17
Incumbent Rep. Bill Flores is running against Democratic candidate William Matta and Libertarian candidate Clark Patterson. McCaul has served three terms as a congressman. U.S. representatives are elected to serve two-year terms.
U.S. House District 31
Incumbent Rep. John Carter is running against Democrat Mike Clark and Libertarian Scott Ballard. Carter has served Texas' 31st congressional district in 2003. U.S. representatives are elected to serve two-year terms.
Texas House District 46
Gabriel Nila, R
Dawnna Dukes*, D
Kevin Ludlow, L
Adam Michael Greeley, G
Although Texas House Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin, is on the ballot today, she announced she is stepping down after 22 years in office on Jan. 10. Republican Gabriel Nila, Libertarian Kevin Ludlow and Green Party representative Adam Michael Greeley are on the ballot.
If Dukes wins the election, the Travis County Democratic Party has called for a special election.
District 46 includes sections of Austin, Pflugerville and Manor in Travis County.
Texas House District 50
Caesar Ruiz, R
Celia Israel*, D
Democrat incumbent Celia Israel faces Republican Caesar Ruiz in today’s election for Texas House District 50 representative.
District 50 encompasses parts of North Austin, Pflugerville, Manor, Elgin and Webberville in Travis County.
Texas House District 52
Larry Gonzales*, R
Henry Knetsar, L
Texas House District 136
Democrat Paul Gordon, an independent financial adviser, is challenging incumbent Republican Tony Dale, a business owner and consultant, for the State House District 136 seat on Nov. 8. Dale has held the seat since 2013.
Prior to the 2012 election, HD 136 was located in Harris County and represented residents in the Houston metropolitan area. The district moved to Williamson County during redistricting because of its rapid population growth.
Dale is president of Spancil Hill Consulting LLC, and he previously served on Cedar Park City Council.
Gordon is owner of Paul Gordon & Associates, and his past experience includes clinical social work.
In a Q&A with Community Impact Newspaper, Gordon said if elected he would sponsor bills to raise the minimum wage, improve transportation infrastructure and expand Medicaid services, among other things.
Dale said if he is re-elected to office, he would focus on legislation that prevents teachers who have inappropriate relationships with students from working in other districts.
According to campaign finance reports, Dale has raised tens of thousands of dollars more in political contributions for his campaign than Gordon.
Texas Railroad Commissioner
Wayne Christian, R
Grady Yarbrough, D
Mark Miller, L
Martina Salinas, G
State Board of Education, District 10
Tom Maynard*, R
Judy Jennings, D
State Board of Education District 10 incumbent Republican Tom Maynard faces Democratic challenger Judy Jennings.
Jennings is a resident of Austin who works as director of assessment for a private consulting company that partners with the Texas Education Agency, according to the campaign website.
Maynard, a resident of Florence, was elected to the State Board of Education in 2012. He serves as executive director of the Texas FFA Association, an organization of career and technical students.
Travis County district attorney
Maura Phelan, R
Margaret Moore, D
Democrat Margaret Moore and Republican Maura Phelan are vying to replace outgoing DA Rosemary Lehmberg, who was arrested in 2013 in connection with driving while intoxicated. Lemberg is stepping down after nearly eight years in office.
Travis County sheriff
Joe G. Martinez, R
Sally Hernandez, D
Eric Guerra, L
Debbie Russell, G
Sheriff Greg Hamilton is stepping down after 12 years of service. Republican Joe G. Martinez, Democrat Sally Hernandez Libertarian Eric Guerra and Green Party representative Debbie Russell will look to fill the office. Hernandez garnered more political contributions than Martinez, with $26,531 in campaign funds raised compared to Martinez’s $8,950.
Travis County constable, Precinct 2
Deke Pierce, R
Adan Ballesteros*, D
Travis County tax assessor-collector
Bruce Elfant*, D
Steven Haskett, L
Travis County Commissioner, Precinct 1
Pat McCord, R
Jeff Travillion, D
Ashley “Flashe” Gordon, G
Travis County Commissioner Ron Davis, who serves Precinct 1, is retiring and is not seeking re-election. Democrat Jeff Travillion, who edged out other competitors in the primaries earlier this year, will face off against Republican William 'Pat' McCord and Green Party representative Ashley Gordon in the race for the Precinct 1 seat.
Williamson County Commissioner, Precinct 1
Landy Warren, R
Terry Cook, D
Two candidates are vying for the seat that will replace Commissioner Lisa Birkman, who decided not to seek re-election after serving three terms and 12 years. Republican Landy Warren, a banking executive, and Democrat Terry Cook, a small business owner, are facing off in the Nov. 8 election.
In a Q&A with Community Impact Newspaper, Warren said if elected his top priority would be to diversify the county’s long-term water supplies to ensure that Williamson County residents will always have affordable water for their homes and businesses.
Cook said she would work to ensure any contracts signed by the county will be for necessary work or needs, will be at a fair price and be signed with contractors who have a record of quality work that is completed on time and within budget.
Williamson County Commissioner, Precinct 3
Valerie Covey*, R
Anthony R. Rector, D
Williamson County Commissioner Valerie Covey was first elected to the Precinct 3 seat in 2006 to fill an unexpired term. She was re-elected in 2008 and again in 2012. Challenger Anthony Rector is a victim services coordinator with the Georgetown Police Department.
In a Q&A with Community Impact Newspaper, Rector said his first order of business as commissioner would be to work for living wages for the employees of Williamson County, add more services for veterans, and better the working relationship with the local government.
If re-elected, Covey said her first order of business would be to continue to address the county’s growth by working on road bond projects that are currently in progress, such as intersection improvements at D.B. Wood and Hwy. 29, bridge improvements at Ronald Reagan/I-35 and CR 305/I-35 and the widening of Inner Loop from Churchill Farms to Maple Street.
Round Rock ISD trustee, Place 7
Tony A. Pitts
Mason Moses
Round Rock ISD’s board of trustees has one contested race with investment associate Mason Moses and lawyer Tony Pitts running for Place 7 to replace Trustee Pauline Law, who chose not to seek re-election. Neither candidate has held elected office before.
RRISD trustees Nikki Gonzales, elected in 2014, and Charles “Chad” Chadwell, who has served on the board since 2008, are running unopposed Nov. 8.
Austin Community College
Trustee, Place 4
George Robinson
Sean Hassan
Michael J. Lewis
Three candidates are vying for a spot on Austin Community College’s board of trustees. One of George Robinson, Sean Hassan or Michael J. Lewis will replace outgoing trustee Jeffrey Richard, who decided not to seek re-election after serving for 12 years. The seat is one of four open positions on the nine-member board. Community Impact Newspaper interviewed the candidates in this Q&A. Here is a map of the ACC district service area.
Trustee, Place 5
Thomas Miranda
Nicole Eversmann
Anthony Schoggins
The seat is being contested by three candidates, Thomas Miranda, Nicole Eversmann and Anthony Schoggins. Currently held by Victor H.P. Villarreal, the board’s president, the seat is being vacated after a six-year stint. Villarreal decided against seeking re-election. Community Impact Newspaper interviewed the candidates in this Q&A.
Trustee, Place 6
Douglas Gibbins
Nora De Hoyos Comstock
Douglas Gibbins and Nora De Hoyos Comstock are seeking the position. Current Place 6 trustee Guadalupe Sosa is leaving her post to run for longtime trustee Allen Kaplan’s Place 9 seat. Kaplan, who served on the board since 1994, announced his retirement this year. His term was set to end in 2018. Gibbons and Comstock answered Community Impact Newspaper’s questions in this Q&A.
Trustee, Place 9
Guadalupe “Lupe” Sosa
Mitch Fuller
Julie Ann Nitsch
Jeremy Story
Sosa entered a crowded field of contestants for the seat, with Mitch Fuller, Julie Ann Kitsch and Jeremy Story all vying to replace Kaplan. Because his term was unexpired, the seat will be up for re-election again in two years. Candidates spoke about their policy priorities in this Q&A, published in September.
Pflugerville Mayor
Phil Osars-Emia
Victor Gonzales
Brad Marshall
Pflugerville City Council, Place 1
Doug Weiss
Victor To
Pflugerville charter amendment, Prop. 1
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to change the structure of the City Council from six to seven members, allow the mayor to vote on all matters and remove the prepration of City Council agendas from the mayor’s rights and responsibilities?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 2
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to clarify that the municipal judge does not have to be a resident of the city?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 3
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to require the municipal judge be a resident of the city?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 4
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to change the Parks and Recreation Commission to a project specific advisory board which reports to the city manager and provide for a process to appoint seven regular board members?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 5
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to provide that an affirmative vote of a majority of the City Council shall be required to terminate a city manager?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 6
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to provide that a violation of the prohibition to interfere with the administration by a City Council member be ground for removal from office?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 7
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to add as grounds for removal from office as a City Council member violation of the nepotism provision of the charter?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 8
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to specify a hearing process and procedure for removal from office as a City Council member?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 9
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to change the prohibition on holding other compensated appointive city office or employment to prohibit all other compensated and/or contracted services and extend the prohibition time period from one year to two years after the expiration of a term of office?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 10
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to change the requirement of how often it meets with boards and commissions from “at least once a year” to an “as needed basis”?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 11
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to clarify its process whereby the City Council may approve an ordinance without the need to consider and vote to approve the ordinance at two separate meetings, as provided by the city charter?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 12
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to clarify that an emergency ordinance can be considered for adoption, amendment, and rejection at the same meeting?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 13
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to require the city manager to become a resident of the city within 180 days after appointment?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 14
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to provide that acting city managers are appointed by the city manger rather than the City Council?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 15
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to provide that the city manager shall annually submit a five-year capital improvement plan to the City Council at least 120 days before the beginning of the budget year listing projects in order of preference and with a recommendation of the year of construction for each project?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 16
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to reduce the required number of petition signatures for initiatives, referendums and nonbinding referendums from 20% to 15% of qualified voters of the city?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 17
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to allow a signatory to a petition to provide their date of birth or their voter registration number?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 18
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to extend the response time of the city secretary to issue petition certificate copies from immediately to the next business day?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 19
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to change the powers of the Planning Commission to include zoning proposals in its recommendations to City Council; to revise meeting requirements; and to include parks, transportation and utilities in its five-year capital improvement plan?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 20
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to reduce the number of alternates for the Zoning Board of Adjustment from four to two?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 21
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to reduce the required number of meetings of the Zoning Board of Adjustment from one each quarter to one annually?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 22
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to require the city manager to meet quarterly with the representatives of the police association regarding working conditions and compensation?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 23
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to change the Charter Review Commission to hold a minimum of six and a maximum of eight meetings, two of which shall be held jointly with the City Council?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 24
“Shall the city of Pflugerville strike portions of its charter due to repetitiveness with Texas law regarding general powers of the city; eminent domain; zoning; actions which require an ordinance; and city elections?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 25
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to allow for annexation consistent with Texas law?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 26
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to provide a process for filling a vacancy on the City Council consistent with the Texas constitution?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 27
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to provide that the City Council determines by resolution the uniform election date for city elections instead of on a date closest to the second Saturday in May as allowed by Texas law?”
Charter amendment, Prop. 28
“Shall the city of Pflugerville amend its charter to be consistent with Texas law as to who may request alternates to attend a Zoning Board of Adjustment meeting?”
Candidates were selected based on the elections taking place within this newspaper’s coverage area. More election coverage can be found online at communityimpact.com/vote.
