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Mayoral candidate Michael French and incumbent Neal Linnartz will be heading to a runoff election this June.
What you need to know
A runoff is called when no candidate receives more than 50% of the votes cast, per the Texas Constitution. The race will be held in both Comal and Guadalupe counties, according to the city of New Braunfels website.
Early voting in Comal County will be held on the following dates and at the following times:
Early voting in Guadalupe County will be held on the following dates and at the following times:
During early voting, residents can cast their votes at the Comal County Elections Office, which is located at 396 N. Seguin Ave., or at the Comal County Church Hill Annex at 1345 Church Hill Drive.
They can also cast their votes at the Guadalupe County Elections Office, which is located at 3251 Hwy. 123 in Seguin or at Redemptive Grace Ministries, which is located in New Braunfels at 2240 FM 725.
What else?
Candidate Nikki Shaw and incumbent April Ryan will also be going to a runoff election for the District 6 City Council seat. Election day will be June 13 from 7 a.m.-7 p.m., according to the city of New Braunfels website.
Incumbent Mayor, Attorney, past chair of the New Economic Development Corp., service on many non-profit
Why are you running for reelection?
I was born and raised in New Braunfels; I care deeply for my community. Not having children, I dedicate my caring and nurturing to my community. I want to make sure we stay on the right path and continue to offer excellent services while keeping taxes as low as possible.
How would you prioritize responsible growth as the city approaches build out?
Growth must pay for growth, so we need to keep all impact fees as high as the law allows. As we run out of space for sprawl within the city, our focus is shifting to infill, and we must try to maintain our character and history as we infill.
What would your top priorities be if reelected?
Keep taxes low, provide PD & FD with the staff and resources they need to keep us safe, preserve our historic downtown, economic mobility and housing options, entrepreneurship and job opportunities, access to childcare, community beautification and identity preservation, enhanced connectivity and transportation improvements.
What do you think is the big challenge the city faces in the next five years? How do you plan to address it?
Dealing with growth will continue to be the big challenge facing the city. I wish we could wave a magic wand and have green space stay green space but that is not reality. We must plan and stick to our plans on dealing with growth. Make development pay for growth.
What resources do you think the city is lacking?
Money and time. As a fiscally conservative community, we keep our taxes low but that means we must be very efficient and cannot do everything. The city’s projects take staff hours to complete and with so many projects, it can take time to see them through completion.
Senior Intelligence Analyst / Systems Security Engineer / Satellite Communications Specialist, Held many leadership roles in military...
Why are you running for office?
I am a concerned citizen running for a second time to save our city from this devastating rapid nose-bleed speed unrelenting growth. Our water situation is dire. Our police officers need real support. Our local businesses need our help as they are shutting down. We need common sense growth!
How would you prioritize responsible growth as the city approaches built out?
We must slow way down our growth. Zoning must be re-thought and regulated. New Braunfels is at a critical turning point. The city is 73% built out. We need to shift from "rapid expansion" to "mature management." We need to protect our beauty and charm, before it is too late!
What would your top priorities be if elected?
We must slow down our growth. We are transforming into a congested cement city. Our city is facing a severe, immediate water deficit. We need a stronger solution to battle our dire water situation. Our police officers need more funding and personal. Local businesses need our help. Citizens come first!
What do you think is the big challenge the city faces in the next five years? How do you plan to address it?
Our continuous and unrelenting growth must be contained. We must slow growth to a healthy 4% from our current 30% each year. We must be part of the Texas Water Development Board’s Texas Water Plan and be recognized as a Water Deficit City! We must find better, sustainable water resources.
What resources do you think the city is lacking?
New Braunfels is lacking a great communicator who inspires all through optimism, projecting a vision of New Braunfels as the great shining city on a hill. I will be the citizens’ champion, strong and confident, fighting as the voice of the people. In this city, citizens must come first!
