Turner, Erwin win victories in ECISD race
By BRENDA SOMMER bsommer@leader-news.com

In the El Campo school board race Saturday, incumbents Tommy Turner and Dr. Melissa Erwin won both seats up for election.

In Position 6, Turner received 1,081 votes - 54.6 percent of the 1,980 total in that race - to beat challenger Paul Soechting, who garnered 899 votes, or 45.5 percent.

"I'm really humbled by the support of the people in our district," said Turner, a rice producer and president of Rice Marketing Association. "I'm thankful for all who put signs in their yards, who called people for me, but I'm most thankful for the people who voted for me."

Soechting, former El Campo mayor and owner of Soechting Inc. and Soechting R.E.D. said, "I'm fine and I wish Mr. Turner the best of luck," Soechting said.

In Position 7, incumbent Dr. Melissa Kainer Erwin, an El Campo dermatologist, won with 1,288 votes (65.85 percent) over challenger Clayton Ryan, who drew 668 votes, or 34.15 percent of the 1,956 votes cast in that election.

"I appreciate the opportunity to serve again for the next three years," Erwin said. "I think it's great so many people came out to vote and I hope all that interest in local issues keeps on."

Ryan said while he was hoping to win, he was pleased with his run for office.

"I'm a little bit disappointed, but the people spoke and chose who they wanted," said Ryan, a local business owner and a member of the El Campo Volunteer Fire Department.

"I think I did well for the first time running. I'm pleased with the turnout and during the campaign, I met a lot of interesting people. I'll have to try again sometime in the future. I had a lot of encouragement and appreciate everybody's support," he said.