Former Gun Barrel City Economic Development Corp. President Linda Rankin unseated her longtime political foe on the City Council in the May 9 election.
In the three-way race for the Place 5 seat in Gun Barrel City, Rankin took 57 percent of the vote. Her 193 votes topped newcomer Steven Schiff and incumbent Marty Goss, who received 87 and 57 votes respectively. Rob Rea ran unopposed for the Place 1 seat, as did incumbent Councilwoman Carol Calkins for the Place 3 seat.
In a candidacy speech Rankin said she resigned from the EDC last year at the request of others to help ease ongoing conflict between the development group and the council. She decided to run against Goss for his council seat because "things didn't get any better" after her departure, Rankin said.
In Tool, City Councilman Donny Daniel unseated incumbent Mayor Tamra Brickey in a 94 to 26 vote, and longtime Councilman Nathan Reeder lost his seat to newcomers. Candidates Phil Ringley and Roland Napoles received 59 and 46 votes for two empty seats, compared to only 33 for Reeder, 37 for Cindy Clounch and 25 for Randall Baker.
Brickey's one term as mayor was marked by conflict with council members and city staff. The strongest criticism against Brickey came from Daniel and Reeder.
In Eustace incumbent Mayor Elicia Sanders prevailed against challenger Randy Johnson in a 94 to 31 vote. Sanders went on the offensive in her campaign with negative portrayals of her opponent. Council candidates Tim Howard and Daniel Smith took 91 and 75 votes, compared to only 37 for Dustin Shelton.
In Mabank Mayor Jeff Norman won against Charles McNew 167 to 11 and Larry Teague and Mitch Odom took 166 and 116 votes for council seats, compared to only 54 for John Sullivan.
In Payne Springs voters approved Propositiom 1, which renewed dedication of a percentage of sales tax revenue for road maintenance, by a 26 to 2 vote.
Voters in Kemp Independent School District elected Regina Kiser over Jackie Simmons for the Place 6 seat by 72 to 20 votes and Jerry L. Gilbert over Ana Rodriguez for the Place 3 seat by 72 to 20 votes.
A $3 million school bond election passed in Malakoff Independent School District by a 197 to 70 vote.
Pictured are Linda Rankin, Donny Daniel and Elicia Sanders.
