By Edmond Ortiz
New Braunfels’ incumbent mayor was ousted in the May 2 elections, while one sitting councilor barely held onto her post and a second council member is headed for a runoff election.
Mayor
U.S. Army veteran Michael French, who worked at the White House during President Trump’s first term, ousted attorney Neal Linnartz, who sought a second term as mayor.
French received 48.3% of the vote while Linnartz placed second with 39.2%. Real estate agent Angela Allen finished third, followed by disabled veteran and business owner Jonathon Frazier, who withdrew from the mayoral race but after the filing period had ended.
Managing growth was a prevailing issue in the oft-heated contest for New Braunfels mayor. French said city leaders have not listened to ideas or concerns presented by residents. His campaign priorities included smart growth, planning for the city’s long-range water needs, expanding a better-equipped police force, proposing a crime control and prevention district, and changing culture at City Hall.
“I want to thank everyone that supported me and helped me through this extremely challenging journey,” French said on his Facebook campaign page. “To the citizens of New Braunfels – thank you from the bottom of my heart. I am extremely proud to serve all of you. I will do my best and I will not let you down.”
City Council District 6
A June 13 runoff election is needed to determine a winner for the council Place 6 seat, where Army veteran and past combat medic Nikki Shaw finished first in May 2 polling with 44.6%.
Local business owner April Ryan, who seeks a second term, placed second with 33%. Test engineer Steven Voges finished in third place. Because nobody cleared the required 50% threshold, Ryan and Shaw are advancing to the runoff.
Shaw said she wanted to apply her experiences as a military officer toward city issues such as smart growth, maintaining quality infrastructure, fiscal responsibility, affordability challenges, especially regarding senior citizens, veterans and young families, and helping to improve schools.
Co-owner of local bakery 2tarts, said she remains committed to fiscal responsibility, investing in infrastructure, maintaining adequate public safety, and improving the quality of life.
City Council District 5
Councilmember Mary Ann Labowski narrowly fended off a challenge from sales professional Chase Taylor, a past city building standards commissioner who now serves on the city’s planning commission, and workforce housing advisory committee.
An outreach community coordinator for local company Pak Medical Group, Labowski tallied 50.5%. She focused her re-election campaign on positive growth management, preserving the city’s small-town appeal, infrastructure, economic development, transportation, public safety, affordable housing and property taxes.
French, Shaw and Taylor had campaigned together against the incumbents ahead of an election that spurred 13% voter turnout, according to Comal County elections data.
