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Three candidates are running for mayor of Leander in the February 7 special election.
The position is open after Mayor Christine DeLisle stepped down in October. The winner will be mayor for the rest of the current term, which expires in May 2027.
Early voting
Early voting will take place at the Pat Bryson Council Chambers.
Election Day
Voting on election day will take place in the same location.
Candidates were asked to keep responses within 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.
Consultative Sales, Personal Stylist/Fashion Consultant, semi-retired. Volunteer for numerous community organizations.
What makes you uniquely qualified to be mayor of Leander?
Experience- 6 years on City Council, record attendance missing only 3 meetings. Achievements include launching the first transportation and water studies, making the Smart Code optional, and improving ease of doing business through third-party process analysis and reforms. Added CapMetro and sales tax to the ballot, empowering voters to decide.
What will be your top priority if you are elected?
When elected, I will keep Leander on a smart-growth path by balancing infrastructure with growth, improving transportation, and returning to lowering property tax rate through fiscally conservative measures. Staff pay improvements were necessary; now balance is key, using targeted commercial growth, disciplined budgeting and job creation as the catalyst.
What do you see as the city's biggest challenge, and what will you do to address it?
Employers and economic development are vital and have made tremendous strides, but the big focus must be jobs. By attracting good employers, supporting small business growth, zoning smartly, simplifying permits, and aligning workforce training with industry needs, we keep workers in town, boost daytime traffic and strengthen restaurants and retail.
Mayor Pro Tem, city councilmember, small business owner, retired banker
What makes you uniquely qualified to be mayor of Leander?
Leander is home for my family and my business. As Mayor Pro Tem, I handle day-to-day city operations with proven leadership getting real results for residents. Colleagues selected me three times to serve in this role. Endorsed by both Leander firefighters and police associations, residents benefit from steady direction and trusted relationships across city departments and the region.
What will be your top priority if you are elected?
My top priority focuses on keeping Leander stable and safe as growth continues. My record shows I have supported public safety and will continue to do so while advancing infrastructure, water planning, and commercial development. Clear communication with residents ensures decisions reflect community needs and long-term fiscal responsibility.
What do you see as the city's biggest challenge, and what will you do to address it?
Rapid growth places pressure on roads, water, services, and trust. I lead council discussions addressing growth through staff and regional coordination, long-term planning, disciplined budgeting, and resident engagement. This approach delivers clear decisions and measurable progress without sacrificing quality of life.
Retired Electronic Engineer, pastored church for numerous years without pay, Experience running meetings.
What makes you uniquely qualified to be mayor of Leander?
As an engineer, I regularly create new things that never existed before, by looking at things from new and different perspectives than others have done in the past. I am the only candidate for Mayor who brings new ideas to the table, for solving old problems.
What will be your top priority if you are elected?
Top priorities are to Establish an alternate source for water, Stop approving additional high-density apartment buildings, Stop giving CapMetro half of all our sales tax revenue, Lower property taxes, Maintain strong public safety (police and fire), Improve infrastructure such as roads and parks, and facilitate improved high-speed internet options.
What do you see as the city's biggest challenge, and what will you do to address it?
We have a single source of water that is inadequate, causing us to be constantly under water restrictions. We must take action rather than only talk about improving our water supply. Bring water from alternate sources such as Lake Buchanan or Lake Belton or the aquifer below us.
