by JEN BIUNDO

With six days down and one left to go, seven candidates had filed Tuesday to run for three seats on the Kyle City Council in a Feb. 13 special election.

In a complex game of musical chairs, Mayor Mike Gonzalez and District 6 Councilmember Ray Bryant both have resigned their office to seek the Pct. 2 Commissioners seat that is in turn being resigned by Jeff Barton, who is running for county judge. District 5 Councilmember Lucy Johnson then resigned to seek the empty mayor’s seat.

Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Lopez also has filed to make a bid for the position of mayor. But in a loophole in Texas law, Lopez does not have to resign from her District 2 seat because she has less than a year left on her term, said County Elections Administrator Joyce Cowan. If Lopez wins the race, a special election may be called to fill her council seat, but if she loses her mayoral bid, she will remain a councilmember.

In addition to candidates who have already announced their intention to seek office, one newcomer made an appearance. Hometown Kyle resident John Simmang, a United States Postal Service worker, joined a crowded field in the race for Johnson’s  District 5 seat. Simmang will face off against IT specialist Mike Fulton and engineer Jaime Sanchez.

Meanwhile, two candidates have filed for Bryant’s District 6 seat. Rhonda Cox, an assistant director in the University of Texas sports division, will face off against banker Russell Huebner.

Though candidates for the District 6 seat have had a month to put in an application, filing in the special council election was open for just a week and was set to close Wednesday afternoon.

Candidates who have resigned their office will continue to serve until their replacement is elected on February 13.

Kyle City Council Candidates
Mayor:

Lucy Johnson

Michelle Lopez

City Council Seat 5:

Mike Fulton

Jaime Sanchez

John Simmang

City Council Seat 6:

Rhonda Cox

Russell Huebner