Earning more than two-thirds of the vote, John McMullan defeated Jason Rocha on Nov. 5 for Position 5 on The Woodlands Township Board of Directors, according to unofficial results.

"We've been dealt a really good hand here in The Woodlands, and I'm not running to make vast changes, but we need to remain vigilant," McMullan said. "I'm very pleased I got a chance to serve, but it's not to make vast changes. It's to focus on the things that residents are talking about, and that's crime and traffic and these first-rate events."

McMullan earned 2,747 votes, or 69.3 percent, compared to 1,219 votes, or 30.7 percent, for Rocha. McMullan will take over Position 5 on the township Board of Directors for Director Nelda Blair, former chairwoman who has served on the board since she was elected to the position in 2008.

Blair was re-elected to the position in 2011, but she opted against running for re-election.

"The first thing that pops into your mind is that I'm replacing Nelda Blair, and I've got big shoes to fill," McMullan said. "I'm humbled by the fact that these folks have come before me to build this tremendous community."

McMullan, 39, is an energy attorney for Greenberg Traurig. Rocha, 27, is a full-time student at the University of Houston who plans to graduate in December with a double degree in economics and political science. Neither McMullan nor Rocha had run for a position on the township board of directors before this election.

"I think it's important to note that the Texas Patriots PAC and Tea Party have a strong hold in the county, and the reason I was running was to get a different voice to the people and to the board," Rocha said. "At this time we weren't ready, but we'll be ready next time."

Rocha said he does not know whether he will run for the township board again, but he said he will continue to stay involved in issues with the community.

"I think it's very important that the people of The Woodlands are heard," he said. "I'm going to continue to encourage people to go to board meetings and hold that board accountable."

Position 5 was the only contested race for the township board. Position 6 incumbent Peggy Hausman and Position 7 incumbent Bruce Tough ran uncontested and were re-elected to the board. Hausman, the current vice chairwoman, received 3,272 votes and said she looks forward to serving on the board another two years.

"It's a humbling experience, and I'm excited to represent the residents, and I'll continue to ask 1,000 questions on every issue," Hausman said. "We live in a fantastic community, and I hope to preserve it for future generations."

Although she said water and economic development will be key issues during her next term, she believes another concern is more pressing.

"The number one issue is going to be transportation and traffic," Hausman said. "How are we going to keep getting around The Woodlands?"

Tough received 3,240 votes. He has served as chairman of the board since 2010, and he said he is excited about the future of the township.

"I am really excited," he said. "You keep thinking that the last year is going to be a record year, but every year in the township seems to be a record year with the amount of activity, growth and new development."

He said the township board will need to develop a plan in case of future incorporation and deal with transportation and mobility concerns.

"You're going to see a dense population growth in the town center area, which is going to bring new challenges to transportation and mobility," Tough said.

Both Tough and Hausman were first elected to the board of directors in 2008 and re-elected in 2011.

All results are unofficial until canvassed.