Unofficial final election results show newcomers Afshi Charania and Angie Wierzbicki won the races for Fort Bend ISD board of trustees positions, according to Fort Bend County data.
The gist
Charania unseated incumbent Rick Garcia for Position 3, with a gap of 2,855 votes. Garcia has served on the board since May 2022, according to the district website.
Meanwhile, Wierzbicki won against Cheryl Anne Buford and Allison Drew for Position 7. The seat is currently held by trustee David Hamilton, who didn’t seek re-election.
Charania, a business owner of an energy company, was unable to be reached by press time. However, the story will be updated with her comments when it's received.
For Garcia, the role of trustee—an unpaid position he said is often thankless—has always been about service, he said in an interview. Looking back on his term on the board, Garcia said he's most proud of the work trustees have accomplished in the last two years under the guidance of Superintendent Marc Smith and board President Kristin Tassin.
"I hope that the new incoming trustees can work with the superintendent, support the superintendent," he said. "I really feel that Kristin needs to remain as board president, because she is the most experienced and she is the only one that knows how to lead Fort Bend the way that it needs to be lead."
Meanwhile, Wierzbicki was also unable to be reached as of press time.
Looking ahead
All results are unofficial until canvassed. Visit communityimpact.com/voter-guide/sugar-land-missouri-city to see results from all local elections in your community.
Posted 7:45 p.m.
Early voting results for the May 3 election show Afshi Charania and Angie Wierzbicki are frontrunners for two Fort Bend ISD board of trustees positions, according to Fort Bend County data.
The details
Positions 3 and 7 are on the ballot, and six candidates filed for the two positions. Angela Collins and Charania are challenging incumbent Rick Garcia for Position 3, while candidates Wierzbicki, Allison Drew and Cheryl Anne Buford are vying for Position 7.
Position 7 is currently held by trustee David Hamilton, who didn’t seek re-election.
Digging deeper
In a questionnaire with Community Impact, Charania, who is a business owner of an energy company, said she was running to promote fiscal responsibility, transparency and student wellness.
Meanwhile, Wierzbicki, a grants manager, said in her questionnaire she was running to ensure "every child has access to high-quality education and that our schools are places where all students, teachers and staff feel supported and valued."
What’s next?
The polls closed at 7 p.m., but voters who were in line before closing will still be able to cast their ballots, per state law.
All results are unofficial until canvassed. Visit communityimpact.com/voter-guide/sugar-land-missouri-city to see results from all local elections in your community.
