Klein ISD appoints incumbent Doug James to fill vacant Position 2 after winning challenger declines candidacy

Despite losing his position on the Klein ISD board of trustees by 26 votes in the Nov. 3 general election, incumbent Doug James has been appointed to fill a Position 2 vacancy after the winning challenger, Alvin Vaughn, declined his position as a trustee.

According to a Nov. 20 news release, KISD officials canvassed votes—or the process of officially certifying election results—the week of Nov. 15-21 following the Nov. 3 general election. According to the results, Vaughn received 50.02%, or 41,653 votes, while James received 49.98%, or 41,627 votes, meaning Vaughn won the election with a margin of 26 votes.

However, according to the release, Vaughn filed a notice of declination in accordance with Texas Election Code 201.001, meaning he decided to decline his position as a KISD trustee and officially renounced his position on the board.

"I want to thank the Klein community for voting for me," Vaughn said in a statement. "Winning the election is more than I could have hoped for, but upon further investigation as to the time requirements of this position and in consultation with my family, I have decided to decline this position."

As this move created a vacancy on the board, KISD held a special meeting Nov. 20 in which board members unanimously appointed James to fill his former place as Position 2 trustee; James accepted the appointment.

"I am humbled and thankful to be considered to fill this vacant seat," James said in a statement. "I look forward to continuing to serve every member of our Klein community."

According to the release, James will be sworn in to fill the vacancy at the Dec. 14 board meeting during a public ceremony. Position 1 incumbent Georgan Reitmeier, who won over challenger Lannie McKelvin Milon by a margin of more than 14,400 votes, will join James on Dec. 14 and take her oath again ceremoniously; Reitmeier was officially sworn in Nov. 17 after the official vote canvassing.

"Klein ISD is a very special place with very special people," Reitmeier said. "I am filled with hope and gratitude as I take this oath. I promise to continue faithfully to serve the people of Klein."