Fifth-generation native Laura Hanna Peace became the first woman to ever lead the City of Kemp as mayor in the May 11 election. Peace, who is chief juvenile probation officer for Kaufman County, defeated incumbent Donald Kile, who only served one term as mayor. In the Kemp election, another woman,Christi Neal, unseated incumbent council member Tommy McSpedden. Peace said after her swearing in ceremony that she was "honored and humbled" to get the opportunity to guide the city through some of the most challenging days in its history as city leaders struggle to provide a reliable water system for residents. Outgoing mayor Donald Kile said he had considered it a privilege to lead the city during his one term. Formerly Peace, as a council member, was the only woman serving on the Kemp City Council. In the Kemp Independent School District election, newcomer Lynda Page, a school librarian in Scurry-Rosser ISD, unseated the school board president Dr. Jim Collinsworth, who had served on the board for 13 years. In another KISD board seat race, Jill McKinley, bested Rusty Clamon to the join the school board. In Eustace, the incumbent mayor Elicia Sanders had no challengers so that city will also continue to be led by a woman. In Malakoff, incumbent Jeanette King hung on to her seat over challenger Ricky Lane Baker Jr. Pictured below is Peace and Kile.