Deadline for filing Friday

At least one city in Gonzales County will have a contested race, as the office of Gonzales mayor officially has an election scheduled for May 4 — the first one in five years.

Former city councilman Lorenzo Hernandez signed the necessary paperwork Friday afternoon to challenge incumbent mayor Connie Kacir for the position. Kacir was elevated to the office in 2016 without opposition. Hernandez was a councilman for several years before losing the District 3 seat in 2017 to Bobby O'Neal by a vote total of 133-106.

Gonzales residents looking to make this a three-way affair have until Friday at 5 p.m. to file their intentions to run with the city secretary.

Across the county, not much else has happened in the way of challenges to city government. In Nixon, three council spots are up for election. Incumbent councilmembers Justin LaFleur and Mary Ann Fatheree have signed up for re-election. The final spot is currently held by Joseph “Joey” Bjorgaard, who as of Wednesday had not yet filed for re-election. Friday is the deadline to file for a spot on the ballot.

In Waelder, three council spots are available for contest. As of press time, Michael Harris had filed his intentions to run again. Officials were still awaiting word on incumbents Valentino “Tino” Hernandez and Samuel “Rocky” Quintero. Residents have until Friday to file there as well.

And down in Smiley, the phone was off the hook so an official report was not available.

All additional filings — if any — will be reported in next week's edition.