By Edmond Ortiz
Early voting is underway in Schertz where voters will determine who will replace a City Council member who died in October.
What you should know
Early voting began Dec. 3 and will continue through Dec. 16 in a special election for City Council Place 7.
Five residents filed for the position that was last held by Tim Brown, who died earlier this fall in the middle of his second term in office.
The victor of this special election will fill out the remainder of Brown’s term, which ends in November 2027.
The contestants are:
*Kristy Barger is operations manager and co-founder of the Barger Law Firm, and co-founder of the Lotus Child Foundation, a nonprofit that helps guide children and young families through education, resources, and community outreach. She is also a novelist.
Barger has said her main campaign issues are: improving safety for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists on Schertz’s roads; promoting responsible growth; and supporting local businesses.
*Tony Diaz is a retired division manager for a military contractor who has volunteered for his church and local schools. He also was a member of the Schertz Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association. Diaz’s campaign priorities include public safety, transparency, and positive and responsible growth.
*John Carbon, a U.S. Air Force veteran who has worked as an AFJROTC instructor. He currently serves on the city’s planning and zoning commission, and on the capital improvements advisory committee. Carbon unsuccessfully challenged Place 2 incumbent Michelle Watson in the November 2025 elections.
*Dr. Robert Sheridan is a retired Air Force medic who has also worked as a Defense Department contractor. He is active in the Schertz community as a volunteer youth sports leader, and he currently serves with the city’s parks and recreation commission. Top issues in Sheridan’s campaign include public safety, economic development, infrastructure, quality of life, and sustainable growth.
*Dan Swart is a retired certified public accountant who recently finished his lone term as a Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City Independent School District trustee.
Also of note
Early voting will take place 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays now through Dec. 16 at the Guadalupe County Annex in Schertz, 1103 Elbel Road, and at the Guadalupe County Elections Office in Seguin at 3251 N. Hwy. 123.
Election Day polling will be available from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Dec. 20 at the Schertz county annex.
