Only one candidate has filed to run for one of the three available city council member positions in Bellaire, while two other city council positions and the mayor’s seat are left unchallenged, City Clerk Tracy Dutton confirmed with Community Impact.

Dutton said that in her 29 years working as the city clerk, this is the most seats unopposed she has seen, and the first time the mayor’s seat is uncontested.

About the candidates

The following candidates are listed as having filed applications by the filing deadline of 5 p.m. Aug. 18.

Mayor:
  • Gus Pappas (incumbent): Gus Pappas is the current Bellaire mayor, first elected in 2024. Pappas served on Bellaire City Council from 2014 to 2021, where he was the mayor pro tem for four of his eight years. Pappas has been an active trial lawyer for 35 years and founded his law firm, Dabney Pappas.
Position 1:
  • Mayor Pro Tem Winfred Frazier (incumbent): Winfred Frazier is the current Position 1 council member, first elected in November 2021. He was elected mayor pro tempore in January 2022. Frazier is an attorney with the law firm Paris and Associates and a retired vice president of ABC-TV/Walt Disney Corp.
Position 3:
  • Ross Gordon (incumbent): Ross Gordon is the incumbent Position 3 council member, first elected in November 2021. Gordon served on Bellaire’s Planning & Zoning Commission from 2017 to 2021, including serving as chair from 2018 to 2021. Ross is a licensed professional engineer and certified floodplain manager.
  • Kevin Newman: Kevin Newman is currently the chief operating officer at Maverick Wrecker Design. He was the former vice chair of Bellaire Living Information Fun and Enrichment, a former board member of Friends of the Bellaire Library and the founder of the Bellaire Small Business Association.
Position 5:
  • Brian Witt (incumbent): Brian Witt is the incumbent Position 5 council member, first elected in November 2021. Witt has previously served on Bellaire’s Environmental Sustainability Board and is a financial advisor with 20 years of experience.
What you need to know


The mayor position serves a two-year term from Jan. 5, 2026, to Jan. 3, 2028, while council members serve a four-year term from Jan. 5, 2026, to Jan. 7, 2030, according to the city’s website.

Dutton said the unopposed seats are assumed to be elected and remain in their positions once the new term begins.

The last day to register to vote is Oct. 6. Early voting begins Oct. 20, and Election Day is Nov. 4.