By Edmond Ortiz
Voters in four Northeast Side suburban cities have several candidates to consider ahead of their respective May 2 City Council elections. A fifth city has no contested election, but one resident there is asking local voters to enter her name on a key position on their ballot.
Retirees Jesus “Jesse” Valdez and Jim Hunter both filed to run for the Place 4 seat, where incumbent Todd Arvidson declined a re-election bid.
Valdez is a retired engineer and a former two-term council member who previously served on Garden Ridge’s water commission, and planning and zoning commission.
Valdez is presently sitting with the city’s board of adjustment, and represents the area on the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Technical Advisory Committee. He has been active with community organizations such as the local Citizens Police Academy.
Valdez’s campaign priorities include fiscal responsibility, preserving the town’s character, immediately responding to residents’ needs and concerns, and helping to ensure the city’s long-range water supply.
A retired U.S. Naval captain, Hunter has worked as an ambulance helicopter pilot, and holds degrees in finance and resource management. He and his family are active with various community organizations and initiatives. Hunter is campaigning on such issues as public service, responsible leadership, and preserving the local quality of life.
Place 5 incumbent Brian Reyes, a San Antonio Police Department captain, is being challenged by general manager Chance Boughamer.
Seeking a second term in office, Reyes also works as an adjunct professor of criminal justice, leadership, and management, and holds degrees in psychology, criminal justice and business administration.
Boughamer spent 20-plus years with retailer Costco before enrolling at the Texas A&M University School of Law, where he earned a master’s degree in business law and compliance. He also has worked as a teacher. While he has never run for public office and he and his family have lived in Garden Ridge for a few years, Boughamer said he views this campaign as a learning experience in public service.
Place 1 incumbent Kelly Smith is running unopposed. Garden Ridge council seats have two-year terms.
Seven residents filed for three at-large council seats. Kirby’s election is taking place while numerous residents have recently criticized council’s efforts to handle alleged violations of the city charter by Councilmember Susan Street.
Council members are also facing complaints by residents that they are unable to work together and meet constituents’ immediate concerns or for the long-term betterment of the town.
The contestants are:
*Incumbent Sylvia Apodaca, a local small business owner who has served multiple terms on council;
*David Barboza, a former council candidate who is campaigning on issues such as repairing roads, improving budgeting matters, and raising pay for city employees.
*Jeff Eklund, president of the Kirby Crime Control and Prevention District board;
*Nathan Fox, a political newcomer who said he would make budgetary matters, improving roads, and smoothing over communications between City Hall and residents top priorities;
*Christopher “Chris” Garza, a past candidate who is advocating for government transparency, fiscal responsibility and fixing aging infrastructure. Garza pleaded guilty in 2018 to a lowered misdemeanor charge of sexual contact without consent, the result of an incident that took place at a Colorado hotel several years ago;
*Incumbent Mike Grant;
*Dawn McCormick, an honorably discharged military officer, a former lieutenant with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and currently a Bexar County Sheriff’s Office deputy. She also serves on the Kirby Planning and Zoning Commission.
McCormick is emphasizing issues such as working with other council members to improve community safety, and to promote a positive environment for all residents and merchants.
Incumbent Englan Sanchez did not file for re-election. Kirby’s council seats carry two-year terms.
Mayor Mary Dennis, Place 2 incumbent Robert Tullgren, and Place 4 Councilmember Ed Cimics all filed for another two-year term. with no challengers. However, local entrepreneur Christina Lichtenberg is a write-in mayoral candidate.
Lichtenberg was arrested by Live Oak police Jan. 30, 2026, for allegedly doxing another resident. Last year, Lichtenberg was particularly critical of Live Oak officials and city bureaucracy, claiming that a meter conversion disrupted the reopening of her business.
Place 3 Councilmember Becky Harris has opposition from past candidate Cori Mitchell, who said she feels she has fresh ideas to help address growth-related issues facing Selma.
Neither Mayor Tom Daly nor Place 2 incumbent Noah Washington Jr. drew a challenge. Selma’s seats have two-year terms.
Incumbents Lori Putt and Bernard Rubal are joined by small business owner Andy Garza III and business executive Mark Dunlop in competing for three at-large council seats.
Dunlop is an Air Force veteran who has worked with the city’s economic development corporation board, managed multi-million-dollar projects, and led large-scale organizations. He is also a certified project management professional with a master’s degree in public administration.
Dunlop said his priorities are to promote public safety and fiscal responsibility, boost infrastructure, and enhance neighborhoods, parks, and community amenities and activities.
Garza, owner of a solar energy equipment supplier, is a political newcomer who said he wants city leadership to be more open-minded toward residents when it comes to hearing constituents’ problems and ideas.
Seeking a second term, Putt has served on several city boards, volunteered with local events and organizations, and works with a nonprofit that raises funds and visibility for parks. She said she would like to continue helping fellow city leaders to address issues such as fiscal responsibility and business development.
Rubal is a 44-year-plus Universal City resident who has worked as a college educator and a research physiologist. Seeking a second term, Rubal seeks to prioritize issues such as better meeting essential city needs, improving government transparency, improving city operations, and eliminating sole source contract practices and unnecessary permit fees.
Dunlop, Garza and Putt are campaigning together. Councilmember Phil Vaughn did not apply for another term. Mayor Tom Maxwell drew no opposition. Universal City’s posts carry two-year terms.
Get involved
Early voting in Kirby, Live Oak, Selma and Universal City will take place 8 a.m.-6 p.m. April 20-23 and 25, and noon-6 p.m. April 26, and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. April 27 and 28 at 19 sites, including Kirby City Hall, 112 Bauman St.; Universal City City Hall, 100 Northview Drive; Schertz Fire Station No. 3, 11917 Lower Seguin Road; and Semmes Library, 15060 Judson Road. Election Day voters can cast a ballot at any of the following locations between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. May 2.
Early voting in Garden Ridge will be held 8 a.m.-5 p.m. April 20, 22-24, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April; 25, and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. April 27 and 28 at Garden Ridge City Hall, 9400 Municipal Pkwy. The following seven polling sites will be open 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Election Day.
