Isai Licea Leads Mayoral Race; Walker, Earle Top Aldermen
Unofficial results from the recent municipal election show Isai Licea leading the mayoral contest with 70 votes (44.59%), while David Walker and John Earle captured the highest totals in the alderman race. The outcomes, which remain unofficial until the canvass, will shape leadership and policy direction on the city council and underscore the importance of close vote margins in small-community elections.
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Unofficial tallies from Coryell County's municipal election indicate a competitive contest for mayor and a fragmented alderman race that tested voters’ preferences across multiple candidates. In the mayoral contest, Isai Licea received 70 votes, or 44.59% of the total, edging out Willie Smith, who received 59 votes (37.58%). Michael C. Homan finished third with 22 votes (14.01%), and Ed Newman received 6 votes (3.82%). Officials caution that these results are unofficial until the votes are canvassed.
In the alderman race, where electors could vote for up to two candidates, David Walker led the field with 107 votes (39.78%), followed by John Earle with 66 votes (24.54%). The remaining candidates trailed substantially: Sonny Glassco received 41 votes (15.24%), Tra Taylor had 26 votes (9.67%), David Mosley 16 votes (5.95%) and Robin Gomez 13 votes (4.83%). Under the vote-for-two format, the top two vote-getters are positioned to fill the available seats, pending official certification.
The margins in the mayoral race reflect the impact a relatively small number of ballots can have on local governance. Licea's lead is a plurality rather than an outright majority, and the distribution of votes among four candidates illustrates how multiple contenders can divide the electorate. For aldermanic representation, the vote-for-two system produced a clear first-place finisher and a more contested second seat, a pattern that could influence how closely aligned new council members are on key issues.
For residents, these results carry concrete implications for municipal policy and priorities. The mayor and aldermen set agendas, oversee municipal budgets, and make decisions affecting public services, infrastructure maintenance, and local regulations. A change in leadership or composition of the council can shift policy emphases and staffing decisions, and narrow victory margins increase the importance of post-election engagement and oversight as officials assume office.
The next formal step is the canvass and certification of the returns, after which appointments, committee assignments and a timetable for addressing local priorities will move forward. Given the tight vote counts, transparency in the canvassing process and clear communication from election officials and the incoming leadership will be critical to maintaining public confidence. Voters and community groups interested in following the transition are advised to monitor official county notices for updates on canvass dates, certification, and subsequent council organization sessions.
