By Edmond Ortiz
One political newcomer won a Kirby City Council seat during the May 2 local elections, while a former council member is returning, and a sitting council member was re-elected by the slimmest of margins.
According to Bexar County elections data, Christopher “Chris” Garza, who lost a council re-election bid in 2024, was among the top three vote-getters who secured three available at-large council seats.
Garza, who campaigned for government transparency, fiscal responsibility and fixing aging infrastructure, led the seven-candidate race with 186 total votes.
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. As part of a plea deal, Garza served 34 days of a one-year sentence, and was required to register as a sex offender in Colorado, but that order does not apply in Texas.
Dawn McCormick, a current Bexar County Sheriff’s Office deputy, placed second with 168 votes. A member of the Kirby Planning and Zoning Commission, McCormick is an honorably discharged military officer, and a former lieutenant with the Texas Department of Criminal Justice.
Sylvia Apodaca, a local small business owner who has served multiple terms on council, placed fifth after early voting totals were revealed. But Apodaca surged on Election Day and claimed 156 total votes to win the final at-large council post.
Apodaca just beat out another political newcomer, Nathan Fox, who began Election Day evening with a solid showing in early voting. He finished with 155 votes.
David Barboza, a former council candidate, Jeff Eklund, president of the Kirby Crime Control and Prevention District board, and longtime incumbent Mike Grant rounded out the rest of the field.
McCormick and Garza are joining a City Council that has been under intense scrutiny by numerous residents who have 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.
