College Station Mayor and Three Council Seats Lean to Challengers

Residents of College Station are facing a potential complete reshuffle of the city's elected leadership. Unofficial early voting results released on Nov. 4 indicate that challengers are leading in all four open seats, a shift that would alter the composition of the city government starting next year.

In the mayoral contest, Bob Yancy is currently ahead of Elizabeth Cunha. Yancy holds 57.9% of the early votes, totaling 14,632, while Cunha has 42.1%, or 9,910 votes. The seat was previously held by John Nichols, who chose not to seek reelection.

The race for City Council Place 1 is closely contested between three candidates. Howard Mayne leads with 38.8% of the vote, amounting to 7,607 ballots. Incumbent Mark Smith trails slightly with 38.5%, or 7,537 votes. Roy May holds 22.7%, with 4,448 votes. Mayne would replace Smith if he holds the lead.

In the Place 2 race, Chandler Arden is projecting a strong victory over Michael Kidd. Arden has secured 62.9% of the early votes, a total of 11,630, while Kidd has 37.1%, or 6,867 votes. Council member William Wright did not run for re-election in this district.

The special election for Place 5 is the only race with more than two major contenders in the lead pack. Tre Watson is in first place with 47.3% of the vote, or 9,139 ballots. Padon Holt follows with 35%, or 6,750 votes, and Valen Cepak has 17.7%, or 3,412 votes. Yancy vacated this seat to run for mayor.

During the early voting period from Oct. 19 to Oct. 30, 56,826 Brazos County voters cast ballots. The county elections office has not yet released totals for Election Day votes. Polls closed at 7 p.m. on Nov. 3, but voters waiting in line were permitted to vote after that time.

All results remain unofficial until the board of supervisors canvasses the total votes. The final count will determine the winners for the mayor and the three council seats.