By Edmond Ortiz
Voters taking part in the Boerne Independent School District’s May 2 elections will consider one contested race between a longtime trustee and a political newcomer.
Additionally, in Fair Oaks Ranch, local voters will weigh a contest between an incumbent City Council member and an information technology professional.
Place 7 trustee Rich Sena is being challenged by business owner/publisher Michael Ethridge.
Sena has spent more than 10 years on the school board. The local business owner’s two children attended BISD schools; his daughter is now a Comal Independent School District teacher. His campaign emphasizes fiscal responsibility, supporting academic excellence, growing educational opportunities, especially in career and technical education, and community engagement.
A BISD graduate, Ethridge is campaigning for the school board to provide greater government transparency, and more engagement with parents and community members. Ethridge also supports doing what is possible for teachers to succeed in their jobs and for students to succeed academically. Additionally, he backs strong campus security measures, clear discipline policies, “a culture of accountability,” and term limits for trustees.
Place 6 incumbent Kristi Schmidt drew no opposition. Boerne ISD seats have three-year terms.
Place 6 incumbent Jonathan Swarek is being challenged by Matthew Reigelsperger, USAA in-house counsel and legal advisor with expertise in cybersecurity issues.
A U.S. Army veteran, Reigelsperger is campaigning on fiscal responsibility, smart growth, boosting public safety, designating schools, parks and trails and child safety zones, protecting private property rights, and building a coalition to help preserve the town’s surface water rights.
Swarek was the only resident to apply for the then-vacant Place 6 post in late 2024, and was sworn into office in early 2025. Before that, Swarek has been an entrepreneur, and an executive with an oil and gas company.
Place 2 Councilmember Keith Rhoden has no challenger. Fair Oaks Ranch council members have three-year terms.
Get involved
Early voting will be available 8 a.m.-6 p.m. April 20 and 22, and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 25, and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. April 27 and 27 at the Kendall County Courthouse Annex, 221 Fawn Valley Drive, Boerne, and the Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department, 7286 Dietz Elkhorn Road. Election Day polling will be held 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Fair Oaks Ranch Police Department, Boerne City Hall, 447 N. Main St., and Comfort Baptist Church, 100 Amber Drive.
