Sharyland ISD, City of Alton cancel elections
Due to a lack of opposing candidates, the Sharyland school district and city of Alton cancelled their upcoming May 4 election.
The Sharyland school board of trustees cancelled their election during their Monday meeting. As previously reported, Trustee Noel O. Garza declined to file to run for re-election after 12 years on the school board.
“I thought it was a good time to get off while the district was at its peak,” Garza said. “This board has had multiple successes throughout the years and I am confident the board and superintendent will continue to do great things.”
Hector Rivera, a Mission businessman, filed to replace Garza. He joins incumbents Noel Edward Oliveira and Keith Padilla.
“We are very pleased to have Mr. Rivera join us,” school board President Melissa Smith said Monday. “He’s a wonderful gentleman, accountant and a Sharyland parent who will be here for the next round.”
The following day, the city of Alton also cancelled their election during their city council meeting.
No one filed to run against city Mayor Salvador Vela and Mayor Pro-Tem Arturo Galvan Jr.. Previously, Vela said this would’ve been the first time in his 30 years as mayor that he didn’t have an opponent.
“I think people just think we’re doing a good job, it’s why we haven’t had an election since 2015,” Vela said of the lack of candidates.
This leaves Sullivan City and Penitas as the only entities in western Hidalgo County that will hold elections May 4.
The Progress Times’ deadline to accept candidate announcements for the upcoming election is Friday, March 8. Announcements received after this date must be run as paid advertising.
Candidates may submit their announcements by email to news@progresstimes.net or deliver them to the Progress Times office at 1217 N. Conway Ave., Mission. Attach a jpeg portrait photo of the candidate. The jpeg must be at least 2MB in size, or 5 x 7 inches at 300 dpi. Political announcements must not exceed 600 words for individual candidates. Slate announcements must not exceed 850 words. All announcements are subject to editing for length and uniform style.
Campaign announcements may be published at the discretion of the publisher and should reference only the candidate’s qualifications, platform and campaign issues.
No attacks on political opponents are permitted. Announcements will be published as space is available.
Early voting starts April 22. Election day is May 4.
