According to unofficial results with all voting centers reporting, North East ISD voters ousted one incumbent school board member, retained another trustee, and elected three political newcomers to the board.
What you need to know
Lisa Thompson won the District 1 race with 70% of early and election day ballots cast, easily beating Michael Gurwitz. Tracie Shelton won the three-way contest for the District 2 seat with 57% of the total vote, outlasting Jacqueline Klein and Rhonda Rowland.
District 4 trustee David Beyer was re-elected with 69% of the total vote. With 54% of the vote, Melinda Cox claimed a three-way contest for the District 5 position, defeating Dick Rasmussen and Chris Evans. Terri Chidgey received 64% to upset District 6 trustee Steve Hilliard.
While the winners campaigned by advocating for what they called moderate issues and stances, those who lost on May 4 were backed by at least two local conservative groups that have focused on issues such as parents’ rights, fiscal restraint, and greater transparency from the board and district administrators.
Texas Family Action, a Friends of San Antonio Family Association Political Action Committee, endorsed Gurwitz, Rowland, Hoyle, Evans and Hilliard. The Parents United for Freedom Political Action Committee endorsed Hilliard, Gurwitz and Rasmussen.
What they're saying
Beyer said despite a tough campaign, his family, community members and volunteers helped to keep a focus on advocating for neighborhood schools.
"I have spent the last five years on the board supporting our schools, students, teachers, and staff. Our community, with their votes, have now emphatically stated that they feel the same,” Beyer said. "I look forward to helping set NEISD on a path to success and guiding us through a challenging educational landscape in the coming years.”
Chidgey said she got support from many parents, teachers and students, some of whom voted for the first time.
"The community heard our message and came out strong. The real winner tonight is public education! I look forward to serving the NEISD family,” Chidgey said.
Thompson called the victories a major show of support for public education.
"I am overwhelmed and grateful for the opportunity to serve our students, staff, parents and community. NEISD has always been and will remain a district that knows the value and importance of a public education for all children,” Thompson said.
Cox thanked family members, friends, volunteers and voters for supporting her campaign and public education. She also thanked outgoing District 5 trustee and board President Shannon Grona.
"I promise to continue her steadfast commitment to our students and families, our staff, and our district. Thank you president Shannon Grona for so many years of service to our district,” Cox said.
Shelton won a special election to fill the rest of a term that ends in 2026, replacing the late Terri Williams, who died in late 2023. The remaining six board members were divided down the middle on how to fill the District 2 vacancy, with some members either wanting to appoint a certain applicant or wait to ca,ll a special election.
Shelton said her victory is a win for students, parents, teachers and the stakeholders of the District 2 community.
"I am so very grateful to the community that rallied around my campaign. They are the reason we are victorious," Shelton said.
Beyer and the board newcomers will all be sworn into office on May 14.
Also of note
Additionally, 90% of Shavano Park voters approved reauthorizing using part of the city's sales tax to keep funding the local crime control and prevention district.
In all, 2.9% of Bexar County voters turned out for the May 4 elections.
Posted 7:45 p.m. May 4
Bexar County has released early voting totals for May 4 elections related to five North East ISD school board races, showing candidates Lisa Thompson, Terri Chidgey, Tracie Shelton, David Beyer and Melinda Cox leading their respective contests.
What you need to know
- District 1: Thompson, a Hollywood Park resident, parent-teacher-association chapter president and a substitute teacher, had 72% of the early vote in a race over Michael Gurwitz, a San Antonio resident who has worked as an attorney and an educator. The winner will succeed longtime trustee Sandy Hughey, who declined a re-election bid.
- District 2: Business owner and college instructor Tracie Shelton had 57% of the early vote, outpacing Windcrest-area resident Rhonda Rowland and Jacqueline Klein. The victor will replace the late Terri Williams, who died in 2023 while serving her second term as the District 2 representative.
- District 4: Incumbent trustee David Beyer had 72% of the early vote over challenger Jack Hoyle, a military veteran, small-business owner, cybersecurity professional and a past PTA vice president.
- District 5: Melinda Cox had 54% of the early vote to take the lead in a three-way race to succeed outgoing board President Shannon Grona. This contest that includes military veteran Dick “Raz” Rasmussen and Chris Evans, a parts and service salesperson.
- District 6: Retired educator Terri Chidgey had 65% of the early vote in a bid to upset incumbent trustee Steve Hillard, a military veteran.
A city of Shavano Park proposition to reauthorize directing a portion of local sales tax revenue to the town’s crime control and prevention district had 91% of local voters’ support, according to early voting data.
More than 15,000 ballots were cast during the early voting period held April 22-30, representing 1.99% of Bexar County’s registered voters.
What’s next?
Community Impact will update this article as more election day vote totals are released. All results are unofficial until canvassed.
Visit communityimpact.com/voter-guide/election-results to see results from all local elections in your community.
