Updated at 10:08 p.m.
Earning more than two-thirds of the votes, candidate John McMullan defeated opponent Jason Rocha 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."
With all 20 Montgomery County precincts and two of three Harris County precincts reported, McMullan earned 2,747 votes compared to 1,219 votes 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 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 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 prior to 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."
The UH senior said he does not know whether he will run for the township board again in the future, but 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."
Although 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. "If [serving the residents] ever gets old, then I need to resign. We live in a fantastic community, and I hope to preserve it for future generations."
Tough received 3,240 votes. He has served as chairman of the board since 2010, and said he is excited about the future of The Woodlands Township.
"Next year we're going to be working on transportation and mobility and transit," Tough said. "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."
Both Tough and Hausman were first elected to the board in 2008 and re-elected in 2011. Tough served as a director of The Woodlands Community Association from 1999 until 2010, while Hausman served on the WCA from 1994 until 2007.
All results from the election are unofficial until canvassed.
Updated at 7:43 p.m.
John McMullan has taken an early lead over opponent Jason Rocha for Position 5 on The Woodlands Township Board of Directors.
According to unofficial results, McMullan earned 1,283 early votes compared to 591 early votes for Rocha. No precincts have reported votes from Election Day. The winner 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 opted against running for re-election.
McMullan, 39, is an energy attorney for Greenberg Traurig. Rocha, 27, is a full-time student at 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 prior to this election.
Although 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 1,563 early 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. "If [serving the residents] ever gets old, then I need to resign. We live in a fantastic community, and I hope to preserve it for future generations."
Tough received 1,544 early votes. He has served as chairman of the board since 2010, and said he is excited about the future of The Woodlands Township.
"Next year we're going to be working on transportation and mobility and transit," Tough said. "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."
Both Tough and Hausman were first elected to the board in 2008 and re-elected in 2011. Tough served as a director of The Woodlands Community Association from 1999 until 2010, while Hausman served on the WCA from 1994 until 2007.
All results from the election are unofficial until canvassed.
