The incumbents are all in, now we’re waiting for the challengers.
All five incumbents on the City Council and school board who are up for reelection this year have filed to run again for three-year terms. Challengers have until March 1 to file with the city and school district to run in the May 11 election.David Cook, 41, is seeking is second full term as mayor after filling the vacant position in 2008, after the resignation of Barton Scott. Cook, an attorney with Harris Cook L.L.P., is a Mansfield native.“I’m asking for another term as mayor because I feel like the city is moving in the right direction,” Cook said. “I feel like there’s still lots of opportunity and I’d like to be part of that.”Brent Newsom, 41, has also filed for his first full term in Place 2 after filling the seat vacated by Mike Leyman in 2011. Newsom, a local banker, spent several years of his childhood in Mansfield while his father, Vernon Newsom, worked with the school district.“I truly enjoy being part of the council,” Newsom said. “I love the process and being involved. I love moving the city forward into the future. With what we are doing with the bond package, if it passes, it will get us a pretty good ways into the future with roads and the park system.“Some of the items that aren’t on the bond package -- fire trucks, ambulances and police facilities -- that are needed, if the residential and commercial development comes the way we expect it to, we won’t need to raise taxes, which is what the goal is,” he said.All three school board incumbents also tossed their hats into the ring.Michael Evans, 46,, filed for his third term in Place 3. Evans, a local pastor, serves as the school board’s vice president.“I’m concerned for the budget crisis that looms over our district by way of Austin,” Evans said. “I want to continue to fight for smaller classroom ratio, to continue as an advocate for special needs students and the economically disadvantaged and to advocate for more attention to the technical programs.“All of our students aren’t four-year college students, but all of our students are learners,” he said. “I want to continue to move our students onto a career-ready path.”Raul Gonzalez, 50, makes his second bid for Place 4. Gonzalez works as director of administration at a law firm.“I want to keep the MISD in a positive financial situation,” Gonzalez said. “I want to keep our tax base strong so people and businesses continue coming to the district. I feel blessed to give back.”Sandra Vatthauer, 51, the veteran on the school board, has filed for her fourth term in Place 5. Vatthauer is a petroleum engineer.“We worked so hard to get the bond passed and to improve our schools,” Vatthauer said. “I want to be sure that everything we promised the voters gets done.”With the probable move of Superintendent Bob Morrison to the Garland school district, Vatthauer says now is a crucial time for the Mansfield schools.“There’s going to be some turmoil,” she said. “I want to make sure the focus is on searching and finding a superintendent and not training new board members.”Have more to add? News tip? Tell us
