By Edmond Ortiz
Schertz and Windcrest will have full slates of contested races in the Nov. 3 elections.
Aug. 17 was the deadline for local candidates to snag a Nov. 3 election ballot spot in one of the five San Antonio-area cities and school districts slated to hold an election this fall.
Here are the filed candidates and where they are:
The city will not hold a council election as there are no contested races. Parks and recreational commission member Orlando Cruz was the lone applicant for Council Place 2, where appointed officeholder Renee Paschall, a former council member, did not file for a full term.
Another appointed council member, Jessica Hannah, was alone in filing for a full term for the Place 4 seat. Only incumbent Nancy Droneburg applied for the Place 6 position.
Converse will still hold a special election Nov. 3 when local voters will consider whether to withdraw the city from VIA Metropolitan Transit service, and to reauthorize part of a sales tax meant to support street maintenance.
East Central Independent School District
East Central ISD will not have a school board election as there are no contested races for trustees’ seats in Districts 1, 2, 5 and 7. Those officeholders – Ginger Friesenhahn, Monique Presas, James Mulkey, and Dell Braziel – each respectively filed for another four-year term.
Council Places 3, 4 and 5 are on the city’s ballot. Place 3 Councilmember Paul Macaluso, a terminal manager, drew opposition from retiree Billie Langhus.
Place 4 Councilmember Benjamin Guerrero, a procurement analyst, drew a challenge from retiree Kenneth Ratcliff.
Place 5 Councilmember Robert Westbrook, a firefighter, is in a contest with Jonathon Marquez, maintenance coordinator. These council seats have three-year terms.
South San Antonio Independent School District
South San ISD will have no school board election because of no contested races. Manuel Lopez was the lone applicant for the District 1 post.
Karla Gomez Sanchez was the sole applicant for the District 4 seat. Cynthia Ramirez alone filed for the District 6 position. These board seats have four-year terms.
Council Places 1, 2 and 3 are on the city’s ballot. Place 1 incumbent Susie Hamilton is being challenged by retired teacher Narquiz Cervantes, who is seeking a council position for a third straight election.
Place 2 Councilmember Cindy Strzelecki drew a challenge from retiree Sue Alexander, board president of Bexar County Water Control and Improvement District No. 10, the water utility that serves properties within Windcrest’s original boundaries.
Place 3 incumbent Greg Turner is being opposed by financial consultant Robert Maloy, who ran an unsuccessful bid for mayor in 2025. These positions carry two-year terms.
Oct. 5 is the final day to register to cast a ballot in the Nov. 3 elections. Oct. 23 is the last day to apply for a ballot by mail. Early voting will begin Oct. 19.
