Linn, who has served as a trustee since 2015, finished the night with 55.42% or 2,248 votes. His opponent, Vanessa Pacheco, took home 44.58% or 1,808 votes. Linn will go on to be the first trustee to represent Single Member District 2.
In the race for Single Member District 4, Harris held onto a steady lead over her three opponents throughout the night, eventually finishing with 51.56% or 643 votes. In second place was Patricia Price Hicks with 31.36% of the votes. Rounding out the race were Sakennia Reed with 9.62% and Taler Jefferson with 7.46%.
Harris will be the second person of color to ever serve on the RISD board of trustees. The first, David Tyson Jr., sued the district last year, claiming that its at-large election process not only favored white candidates but also discouraged minority candidates from seeking reelection. That lawsuit was settled earlier this year and is the reason why the majority of RISD candidates are now elected by voters in a specific geographic area.
Incumbent Karen Clardy ran unopposed in Single Member District 5 and will go on to serve another two-year term.
Results are unofficial until canvassed. Canvassing is set to take place between Nov. 8-18, according to a district spokesperson.
Early voting totals: Linn, Harris in lead for contested seats on Richardson ISD board
Posted Nov. 5, 7:13 p.m.
Early voting totals from the Richardson ISD board of trustees elections show incumbent Eron Linn and newcomer Regina Harris ahead of opponents in the race for districts 2 and 4, respectively.
The Nov. 5 election is the first time RISD trustees have been voted on by constituents in a specific geographic area rather than the district at-large. The change is the result of a Voting Rights Act violation lawsuit settled earlier this year.
Based on early returns from the District 4 race, Harris is leading with 43.52% or 151 votes. In second place is Patricia Price Hicks with 36.60% of the votes. Rounding out the race are Sakennia Reed with 12.10% and Taler Jefferson with 7.78%.
The District 4 race will go to a runoff if none of the candidates receive 50% of the vote by the end of the night. That follow-up election would tentatively occur on Dec. 10, according to a district spokesperson.
In the District 2 race, Linn is leading with 63.37%. His opponent, Vanessa Pacheco, has 36.63% of votes.
Incumbent Karen Clardy is running for re-election to the Richardson ISD board of trustees. She does not face an opponent in the race for District 5.
Editor’s note: This story will be updated throughout the night as needed.
