Pearland ISD will have two new women on the board of trustees following the May 7 election.
Candidates Amanda Kuhn, who won Position 5, and Nanette Weimer, who won Position 7, both won their respective races that each included a field of three. Neither of the positions had an incumbent running for the seat.
“I'm honored the community has elected me to serve the district as a board member," Weimer told Community Impact Newspaper in a written statement. "As a lifelong educator, I look forward to working alongside the other board members and [the] district's administration to do what's best for our students."
Weimer, who spent 36 years with the district as both an educator and on the administrative side, retired from PISD as deputy superintendent in 2021. She told Community Impact Newspaper ahead of the election her top goals if elected were to prioritize student safety; teacher recruitment and retention; academic achievement; and fiscal responsibility.
Kuhn, who edged out challengers Trent Perez and Jin Yoon, accrued 2,880 total votes, or 48.27%. Kuhn previously told Community Impact Newspaper she planned to focus on safety and security, mental health, academic achievement, fiscal responsibility and teacher retention, if elected.
"Being actively involved throughout our community my entire life has led me to build fantastic relationships across the city," Kuhn said. "The people who know me and the new people I met along this journey showed up at the polls, and I cannot be more grateful for their support. ... I am so full of Pearland pride and cannot wait to serve alongside the other board members and Mr. Berger.”
Updated May 7 at 11:39 p.m.
Incumbent Lance Botkin will remain at the helm of Position 6 for the Pearland ISD board of trustees, according to unofficial results.
Botkin, who faced off against challenger David Nguyen, accumulated 3,843 votes, or 64.42%. Nguyen totaled 2,123 votes, or 35.58%.
“It’s an honor to serve on the board," Botkin told Community Impact Newspaper. "The community continues to come out and vote for me because they know that I have the kids first, teachers first attitude, and they understand that. That is my passion. As a former educator, that is continuously what I strive for."
Botkin, who was first elected in 2013, said he has learned to not take things for granted during his nine years on the board, and he is aiming to improve PISD from a good district to a great district.
“I’m a team of eight," Botkin said. "My other school board members and our new superintendent, Larry Berger, we are going to do great things. We are going to take this district that has been good to great. That is our goal.”
Position 5
The sprint for Position 5 on May 7 ended with Amanda Kuhn as the person with the most votes. Kuhn collected 2,880 votes, or 48.27%. Richard Bradley finished with 1,873 votes, or 31.39%. Lastly, candidate Jin Yoon finished with 1,214 votes, or 20.35%.
Community Impact Newspaper reached out to Kuhn, but did not receive a response.
Position 7
Nanette Weimer will be the new face representing Position 7 for PISD, according to unofficial results.
Weimer accumulated 3,030 votes, or 50.8%. Trent Perez, who has spent the past six years serving on Pearland City Council, finished second with 1,888 votes, or 31.66%, and Ellen Kuo totaled 1,046 voted, or 17.54%.
Community Impact Newspaper reached out to Weimer, but did not receive a response.
All results are unofficial until canvassed.
Originally published May 7 at 8:55 p.m
Early voting results for Brazoria County are in, and Lance Botkin, the only incumbent in the board of trustees race, has garnered 67.75% of the votes reported. There are three races for Pearland ISD board of trustees seats—Positions 5, 6 and 7.
Through the early voting period, Amanda Kuhn leads the race for Position 5 with 2,052 total votes. Meanwhile, Botkin leads the battle for Position 6, and Nanette Weimer leads for Position 7.
For Position 5, the breakdown of votes is Kuhn with 2,052 votes, or 49.57%. Richard Bradley is second with 1,317 votes, or 31.81%, and in third is Jin Yoon with 771 votes, or 18.62%.
In the race for Position 6, Botkin has 2,796 votes, which account for 67.75%, while the challenger David Nguyen has 1,331 votes, or 32.35%.
The quest for Position 7 has Weimer leading the way with 2,200 votes, making up 53.23%. Second is Trent Perez, who has 1,279 votes, or 30.95%. Coming in third is Ellen Kuo with 654 votes that make up 15.82%.
These are first round of early voting results only. For updated election results on other local and state elections, click here.
