The West Orange-Cove CISD board election has drawn six candidates for three positions with two incumbents and two former trustees on the ballot.
The candidates are incumbents Linda Platt-Bryant and Bryan “Chop” Thomas Muhammad. Others are Demetrius Hunter, Bonnie Moses and former trustees Tony Dallas and Ricky Jacobs. Incumbent Reverend Hardy O’Neal did not file to run.
The filing deadline for May 7th elections ended Friday. Several local entities are able to cancel elections because of no contested races. Those entities are the cities of West Orange and Pinehurst, the Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD, the Orange County Navigation and Port District, and the Orange County Drainage District.
For the Bridge City City Council, Mayor Kirk Roccaforte reached term limits and cannot serve as mayor again. However, he filed to run for the Place 1 council position held by David Rutledge. Rutledge is running for mayor unopposed.
This week, Carl Harbert filed to run against Roccaforte for the Place 2 position. The Place 6 incumbent Danny Cole will face Lucy Fields and Kevin Mott, who have both served on the council previously. In Place 4, incumbent Eric Andrus will be facing challenger Phillip Todora Jr.
The Orange City Council race will have a repeat of one from three years ago. For the single-member District 4 race, incumbent Mary McKenna will face Annette Pernell. Pernell held the seat in 2013 when McKenna beat her. Incumbent Dr. Wayne Guidry is running unopposed for the single-member District 2 seat. He won an unexpired term last year. Incumbent Bill Mello is also running unopposed for the at-large position he holds.
The Bridge City school board has three contested races. Incumbent Rebecca Rutledge is running for Place 3 against Bryan Gremillion. For Place 4, incumbent Thad Hill is being challenged by Bryant Champagne. Incumbent Jerry McInnis is facing Brandy Slaughter for Place 5.
In Pinehurst, Mayor Pete Runnels is unopposed for re-election. The city council has two at-large positions open with only two candidates; so the election can be canceled. Incumbent Mike Anderson did not file. Incumbent John Zerko filed for another term and former council member Harry Barclay filed again.
The West Orange City Council also has uncontested races. Incumbents Shirley Bonnin, Mike Shugart and Dale Dardeau filed.
The Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD had two filings for school board. They are incumbents Rex Peveto for Position 6 and Ray Rogers for Position 7.
The Orange County Drainage District has incumbents J.B. Arrington running for Precinct 2 and Jimmy Scales for Precinct 3.
The Orange County Port and Navigation District board of commissioners has incumbent Barbara Winfree in Precinct 2 and Jimmy Smith in Precinct 3.
-Margaret Toal, KOGT-
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