By Edmond Ortiz
Early voting begins Jan. 13 for a runoff election to fill Schertz’s vacant Place 7 City Council seat.
What you should know
John Carbon and Dr. Robert Sheridan, the two top vote-getters in the city’s Dec. 20 special election, advanced to the Jan. 31 runoff.
None of the five candidates in the Dec. 20 election received 50% of the vote, a number needed for an outright win.
Carbon, a U.S. Air Force veteran and a current city planning and zoning commission member, claimed 27.7% of the vote in the Dec. 20 special election.
Sheridan, a retired Air Force medic and a parks and recreation commissioner, placed second on Dec. 20 with 26.6% of the vote.
The runoff election winner will replace the late Tim Brown, who died while in office last October. The victor will fill the remaining term of the Place 7 office, which expires in November 2027.
What they are saying
Carbon also serves on the city’s capital improvements advisory committee, and has worked as an AFJROTC instructor. Additionally, he ran for the Place 2 council seat in the Nov. 4, 2025 election, which was won by incumbent Michelle Watson.
Carbon, on his Facebook campaign page, has said he is known for being honest and straightforward in what he thinks is right for the community.
“This is our time to cast our vote for a candid voice, dedicated leader, and solid competence within our city government,” Carbon said in a Jan. 7 Facebook post.
A former contracting officer, Sheridan has been an active volunteer in Schertz-area youth sports activities.
Sheridan has indicated issues such as responsible growth, maintaining adequate infrastructure, supporting emergency first responders, economic development, and enhancing parks and recreation as his top priorities.
One candidate in the Dec. 20 election, Kristy Barger, publicly declared her endorsement of Sheridan.
“With your continued support and engagement, we will continue to share our vision for a stronger, more transparent, and more united Schertz,” Sheridan told supporters Dec. 21 on his Facebook campaign page.
What’s next
Early voting will be available from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 14-16, 20-23, and 26 and 27 at the Schertz Guadalupe County Annex, 1101 Elbel Road, and the main county elections office, 3251 Texas 123 N. Election Day voting Jan. 31 will be held from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. at the Schertz county annex.
