The 2015-16 Katy City Council, From left: Durran Dowdle, James Mendez Jr. (seated), Mayor Fabol Hughes, Charles Brawner, Steve Pierson (seated), J. Gary Jones.[/caption]Four incumbents and one challenger have submitted election application papers to run for the four open seats on Katy’s City Council, officials said.
There are two City Council elections scheduled for May 7—a regular election for three seats on the council and a special election for one seat. The deadline for potential candidates to submit an application for both elections is 5 p.m., Feb. 19.
“We normally don’t have this many [seats] up for election,” said Becky McGrew, assistant city secretary.
In the general election, incumbent council members Durran Dowdle, Ward B; Steven Pierson, at-large; and Charles Brawner, Ward A, have filed papers for re-election.
Challenger Steve Jurovic, 78, has also filed papers, contesting Pierson for the council’s at-large seat.
Dowdle and Brawner are currently unopposed.
A special election is being held for the second seat in Ward A held by J. Gary Jones. Jones was appointed to the council June 12, 2015, after the death of former council member William Lawton. Jones is currently unopposed.
Pierson served on the City Council from 2002-08 before taking a six-year break; he was re-elected in 2014.
Pierson said he was surprised that he was being challenged in the election, and he is proud of the teamwork the City Council has shown in past years.
“Katy is doing very well,” Pierson said. “Under the leadership of Mayor [Fabol] Hughes, we have really done a lot. I’m very pleased.”
Jurovic said there are three main issues he is concerned about in Katy–rental property oversight, sex offender policies and more transparency from city council members.
"People say I don't have much of a chance to win," Jurovic said. "Win or lose, at least you get the ideas out there."
Council members serve two-year terms. Hughes and Jimmy Mendez, Ward B, are not up for re-election until May 2017.
Katy residents who may be interested in running for a City Council seat can learn more about candidate qualifications and get an application at the city offices, at 910 Avenue C, Katy.
Updated at 7:03 p.m. Jan. 27.
