With all precincts reporting May 6 election day results, residents of New Braunfels cast their ballots for new City Council members.
District 5 candidate Mary Ann Labowski won with 79.92% of the vote with Bently C. Paiz trailing behind with 20.08% of the vote.
Labowski thanked those who supported her throughout the election and said she is excited to begin her new role in the community.
“It was a lot of work for five months, but it was well worth it,” Labowski said. “And I'm really excited to be able to sit up there at City Council and represent our district. And I look forward to hearing the resident's voices so I can be their voice.”
Paiz told Community Impact in a statement that although the results of the election were not in his favor, he was grateful for the opportunity to represent the residents living in District 5.
“The people of District 5 have spoken; unfortunately, they were not the results that we wanted to hear but we put up a good fight, and that fight is nowhere near over,” Piaz said. “At just [18 years old], I ran a campaign that brought statewide attention to New Braunfels, a campaign that prioritized the people of District 5 and a campaign that helped double the number of voters from previous District 5 elections. I am beyond grateful for the opportunity to meet and talk with so many people throughout New Braunfels and District 5 along with being able to have built so many great relationships with people all over Texas who noticed the grassroots work we were doing here in our community!”
April Ryan led in the race for District 6 with 46.49% of the vote. Steven Vogues will join her in the runoff election with 28.44% of the vote.
“Thank you to all of the New Braunfels residents who got to the polls for the local election, and I look forward to representing my district as the next City Council person for New Braunfels,” Ryan told Community Impact. “I just hope that I can show my future constituents how hard I would work for them once I am put into office during this runoff process.”
Incumbent James Blakey did not secure enough votes for the runoff election by receiving 24.77% and said in a statement to Community Impact that he is looking forward to serving the community in new ways.
“I was proud to serve my district for the last three years,” Blakey said. “I have spent over 36 years in this district. I love my neighbors, all my family that live in this district and all my friends here in New Braunfels. We have such a special place here in New Braunfels and Comal County. I am proud that we had other candidates for getting involved and stepping up. It’s important for all of us to serve when the time is right. I look forward to watching April Ryan’s service to support our wonderful district. She has done so much for our community before and this is another great chapter to her service to the families here in New Braunfels.”
Ryan said she is ready to continue campaigning until the runoff election takes place, the date for which will be determined by City Council after results are canvassed.
“As a small-business owner, I am not a stranger [to] hard work and minor setbacks,” Ryan said. “And while I would have loved to tie this election up quickly, I have no problem getting out the vote and making sure that our residents know that I will have their back and work tirelessly for them as their representative on the City Council.”
All results are unofficial until canvassed. Visit communityimpact.com/voter-guide to see results from all elections in your community.
