Burnt Orange Report

Election Returns in Gillespie County

By Karl-Thomas Musselman

Byron and Andrew have the roundup of results for Austin Area returns in the post below...

OK, so I'm sure that not everyone is rushing to know the results from Fredericksburg City Council and School Board races but I have them, now that I'm back at home for a week.

(votes | candidate | (i)=incumbant | *= Karl's vote)

Mayor- unopposed
521 Tim Crenwelge (i)*

City Council- Two Places at Large
495 Dan Mittel (i)*
465 Kevin MacWithey*
349 Melodi Francis

Melodi ran last time and lost as well. She is a newcomer to town that hasn't been fully in touch on the issues (proposing a bed tax last time which we already have, and proposing sales taxes that would only apply to tourists but not to locals??) She was endoresed by the Republican Women and lost so that's nice to see. MacWithey is also new to town (10 years) but ran a landscaping business and actually ran a campaign, including signs stuck in the back of trucks just outside our singular polling location. Mittel is very much the traditional local guy.

FISD School Board- Two Seats at Large

616 Wayne Harrell (i)*
534 Jerry Durst
381 Rick Weirich (i)
254 Ben Lehmann*

Harrell has broad support and in my view, is one of the best members on the board. Weirich is Morman, not that I'm saying that had any part to play in this election, but out here religion still sometimes has an effect. His loss is more due to Durst's strong showing.

Durst is a total county farmer rancher type who was on various boards and got the endorsement of local Ag groups. In a low turnout election, that's more than enough. But he is more of an anti-tax candidate running against "excess fluff" than a pro-education guy which was Lehmann. Lehmann is a doctor, but still new to town so that was a factor once again. Hopefully he will run again, as he actually ran on wanting to improve teacher pay.

Harper ISD had no election as usual as there were 3 candidates for 3 spots.

Doss ISD had no one file at all for the 2 open seats, as usual, and will announce the winners once the write-ins are counted. This is just how they usually do it.