MISD incumbents prevail; Coolidge mayor wins by 1 vote

Editor’s note: This story was updated online after it went to press Tuesday, May 7. It reflects there will be no runoff in the Coolidge mayoral race.

Incumbents in the Mexia Independent School District trustee election held on to their positions in the May 4 election.

Place 6 MISD Trustee Jackie Craig defeated challenger John Schaefer 310 to 66, and Place 7 Trustee Ron Fowler bested his challengers by taking 226 votes compared to 76 for Keith Smith and 72 for Lyle DuBus, a former MISD superintendent.

In Coolidge, Mayor Tonia Bruckner received 48 votes and will retain her position, even though she only bested challenger Richard Green by one vote. Jay John McClinton received three votes.

According to Jennifer Souther, Limestone County Elections administrator, Coolidge is a “Type A Municipality” and does not require a runoff election, except in case of a tie.

Green, according to Souther, has until 5 p.m. Monday to request a recount of the votes.

Incumbent Coolidge Councilmember Ami Bauer, who was competing against three other candidates for two spots lost her seat, receiving 34 votes. The winners were Ann Nelson with 59 votes and Terri Shirley who took 56. Curtis Kaloi received 34 votes.

In Tehuacana, a measure that would have rolled back the tax rate from $0.3100 per $100 valuation to $0.2829 per $100 valuation failed. There were 52 “no” votes and 22 “yes.”

Incumbent Councilmembers Lisa Henderson and Jace Floyd held on to their offices from a challenge by newcomer Don Miller. All were vying for two open positions on the City Council. Henderson took 63 votes; Floyd, 55; and Miller, 13.