Cowman exits Leander City Council race; 5 candidates on ballot

Former Leander Mayor John Cowman withdrew his application for City Council's Place 4 seat Sept. 23, less than two weeks after his initial bid.

The Place 4 position was vacated by Michell Cantwell, who resigned Aug. 27 to run for Williamson County treasurer. The special election is set for Nov. 5, and five candidates will appear on the ballot, City Secretary Debbie Haile said.

Ronald Abruzzese, who serves as the Leander Planning and Zoning Commission chairman, submitted his application Sept 6. Dan Miche applied for placement on the ballot Sept. 18.

In addition, three candidates who previously ran for City Council have also joined the Place 4 race. Jerry Perez, who applied Sept. 6, ran unsuccessfully against Cantwell for the Place 4 seat in May 2012 and again ran for council earlier this year, losing the election for Place 3 against Councilman Simon Garcia.

Randy Caldwell, who ran against Councilman David Siebold in May 2012, applied Sept. 23. May 2012 mayoral candidate Bob Hanson applied Sept. 13. His previous opponents in that race were Cowman and current Mayor Chris Fielder.

Cowman did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

The deadline to file for a place on the ballot was 5 p.m. Sept. 23.

Early voting for the Place 4 election begins Oct. 21 and will run through Nov. 1. Haile said voters must vote in the county of their residence both during early voting and on Election Day.