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Michael Alexander French emerged as New Braunfels’ new mayor after an unprecedented runoff spurred by city leaders prematurely declaring the victor in May.
French amassed 62% of the vote Saturday night to officially secure the role, after only earning 49% of the vote on May 2. Incumbent Mayor Neal Linnartz trailed in second with 38% of the vote, nearly identical to the percentage of votes he received in the original election.
French was initially declared victorious because, according to a city charter measure passed in 1995, he was the candidate who earned the most votes (plurality) in the mayoral race.
A 1958 amendment to the Texas Constitution states that any office term longer than two years “must be elected by a majority vote (50% + one vote).”
While the plurality rule was in effect, the city also noted that every mayoral election since 1995 was won by a candidate who earned the majority vote.
When City of New Braunfels officials realized the city’s charter was at odds with the Texas Constitution, they reversed course and announced the June 13 runoff.
The “significant mistake,” which is how officials described their snafu, drew ire from the runoff candidates, residents and resulted in New Braunfels council members voting to terminate now-former City Attorney Valeria Acevedo.
This mayoral contest was a sort of rematch from 2023, when Linnartz was first elected as mayor, with 56% of the vote. French finished second in that race with 27%. Before that, French made a run for U.S. Rep. Chip Roy’s district 20 seat in 2022 but didn’t get past the primary.
Nikki L. Shaw claimed the City Council seat for District 6 over incumbent April Ryan in the runoff, as well.
Alamo Colleges District
In a close runoff, Bexar County voters elected Robert Garcia to the Alamo Colleges Board of Trustees District 9 over Carolyn DeLecour.
The two were separated by 16 votes in the May 2 election, but the gap widened when the ballot was shrunk to two people, and Garcia secured 58% of the vote.
Incumbent Leslie Sachanowicz finished 137 votes behind DeLeCour in third place during the general election, leaving her off the runoff ballot.
Del Rio
Voters in Del Rio, located in Val Verde County, reelected incumbent mayor Alvaro “Al” Arreola on Saturday night over challenger Efrain V. Valdez. The two were separated by nine votes.
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