IMUD, ECISD races now contested
By SHANNON CRABTREE scrabtree@leader-news.com

The El Campo school district and Isaacson Municipal Utility District already have contested May races with more than two weeks left for candidates to announce their intentions.

In El Campo ISD, posts held by trustees Melissa Erwin (Position 7) and Tommy Turner (Position 6) are up for a vote.

Retired high school German teacher and former El Campo Mayor Paul Soechting has filed for the Position 6 seat, as has Turner, the incumbent.

For the Position 7 seat, Erwin is currently unopposed in her re-election bid.

In the Isaacson Municipal Utility District, seats currently held by Floyd Fisher, Floyd Shimek and Joe Juroska Jr. are up for contention.

Brenda George, a nurse, has filed to challenge the three incumbents who are all seeking additional terms.

In the IMUD, the top three vote-getters win seats on the board.

Candidate filing for the city of El Campo, El Campo school district, Wharton County Junior College, Isaacson Municipal Utility District and the Louise water board will run though March 10.

The city of El Campo currently has five candidates seeking three at-large positions on the upcoming May ballot (please see related story).

Other filings are:

Wharton County Junior College - Three positions are up for election: Position 3, held by Georgia Krenek of Wharton; Position 4, held by Phil Stephenson of Wharton; and Position 8, held by Oliver W. Kunkel Jr. of Needville.

All incumbents have now filed and are currently unopposed.

West Wharton County Hospital District - In the West Wharton County Hospital District, the terms of incumbents Michael Appling, Stephen Cooper, Kristi David, Chip Jenkins, Richard Kerzee and Billy Rioux are up for election.

District Clerk Irma Rocha reports all incumbents, with the exception of Rioux who resigned last week have filed.

Anthony Cisneros, sworn in Monday as Rioux's replacement, has filed for the election as well.

Louise Water District - In the Louise water district, positions held by A.E. Thomas and Paul Blumrick are set to expire. Manager Eula Mae Crowell reports both incumbents have filed for an additional term.