For the first time in six years, Rockdale voters will have contested races for both the city council and school board to decide when they head to the polls in May.
It’s the first time in 34 years no Rockdale City Council incumbents filed for re-election on a regularly-scheduled city ballot.
Friday was the deadline for the May 5 city, school and special district elections.
HISTORIC—It’s a three-person race for the east ward city council position being vacated by Willie Phillips.
Richard Coppedge and Sharon Cloud filed during the final week. Tim Ramey had previously filed.
Jason Barcak filed Friday to oppose Monique Gebhart for the west ward position being vacated by Colby Fisher, who is not seeking a new term.
The last time no incumbent Rockdale City Council member sought re-election on a regular annual ballot was 1984.
In that year longtime incumbents Mark Kellar and Freddie Gray passed up the election.
There have been several special elections during that period to fill vacant seats.
SCHOOL BOARD— There’s also a contested school board race with incumbent Julia Cardona challenged by Ryan Warner in Place 7.
Unopposed incumbents are Raymon Puente (Place 1), Troy Zinn (Place 2) and Charles Miles (Place 4).
This is the first time in six years there has been a contested Rockdale School Board race. Last time that happened was in 2012.
CANCELLATION AHEAD—The last of four incumbents has filed for the Rockdale Hospital District Board.
Dr. Dennis Brooks fi led Friday for a new Place 1 east ward term.
Previously filing were incumbents Terry Browning (at large), Tom Loth (at large) and Brad Masek (Place 3 west ward).
Board members now have the option of canceling the hospital district election.
THORNDALE—Both Thorndale school and city elections are contested.
Last week filings at the Thorndale ISD produced a three-person chase for two at-large seats with incumbents Ann Glenn and Adam Fisher challenged by Trey Gilchrist.
Chad Martinka is unopposed for the remainder of an unexpired term.
In the City of Thorn-dale, Mayor Mara McDowell faces a challenge from city councilman George Galbreath who passed up a chance to file for a new term on the council in order to run for mayor.
There is a five-person-forthree positions race for the city council where incumbent Sam Pickett is joined on the ballot by Allen Hejl, Steven Zuehlke, Ashleigh (Towery) Moehling and Wayne Green.
MILANO—Incumbent Edward Lenz is the only one filing for the Milano City Council, where two terms are to be filled this year.
In the Milano ISD, incumbents John Yakesch and Shawn Walton, along with Amanda Honeycutt Cain are in a three-person chase seeking two full terms on the board. Incumbent Michael Andrews, has filed for a partial term.
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