Two key, last-day filings Friday—deadline for candidates in the May 4 elections—propelled the city race into the forefront.
All three races, mayor and two council positions, are now contested. Add one contested school board race and Rockdale voters will now decide four contests this spring.
MAYOR—Earlier in the week, two-term Mayor John King reversed himself and filed for re-election.
King had indicated the previous week he was leaning toward not filing for a third term.
He will be opposed by Neil Switkowski, an eastward resident who listed his occupation as a private investigator.
King was first elected in a three-way mayoral race in 2013, then won without opposition in 2016.
COUNCIL—The other last day filing was for the west ward council seat.
Belinda Hillhouse, a retired engineer, signed up to oppose two-term incumbent Nathan Bland.
Bland had filed the previous week.
Previously, three-term incumbent Joyce Dalley and challenger Michelle Larkin, who listed her occupation as “marketer” had signed up for the eastward seat.
City voters will also decide the fate of several amendments proposed for the city charter.
TRUSTEES—There will also be a contest for the Rockdale ISD school board.
Two challengers are seeking the Place 3 position on the school board after incumbent Michelle Lehmkuhl decided not to file for re-election.
Lehmkuhl is a former school board president.
Amy Ogea Casas and Jillian McEntarffer are seeking that position.
Two other trustees will be unopposed for new terms.
They are Charles Miles in Place 4 and Wenda Dyer in Place 5.
EARLY VOTING—The early voting period is April 22-30.
The yellow voting card you used to cast a ballot in the 2018 elections is still in force this year.
To find out if you are eligible to voe in the Rock-dale city election turn it over and look at the boxes on the back.
Under “city” if it says “RKDE” or “RKDW” you are in the city limits and may vote in the city elections.
Both designations will vote for mayor. RKDE votes in the east ward and RKDW in the west ward.
Under “school” if it says “RKDI” your resident in the Rockdale Independent School District and may vote for all three positions on the school board ballot.
Final day to register to vote in the May 4 elections is April 4.
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