Mansfield council, school board elections filling up

By Amanda Rogers

Mansfield Record

The Mansfield City Council and Mansfield ISD school board races are filling up.

In the past week, the city council called for a special election for Place 5, currently held by Julie Short, who is running for mayor. Two candidates have already filed for the newly opened seat.

Melisa Perez, a self-employed restaurant owner, and Todd Simmons, a financial advisor, have thrown their hats into the ring for Place 5.

Short and current mayor Michael Evans are seeking the Place 1 mayor’s seat, while incumbent Tamara Bounds and Lori Williams are in contention for the Place 2 position.

All positions are for three-year terms, except the Place 5 race, which will be for the final two years of Short’s term.

Filing for the May 3 elections for the school board and Mansfield City Council runs until Feb. 14.

On the Mansfield ISD school board, Places 3, 4 and 5 will be on the ballot.

School board secretary Craig Tipping has filed to run again for Place 3, as has Jason Thomas.  

Board president Keziah Valdes Farrar (Place 4) has filed to run for another three-year term, as has Ana-Alicia Horn.

For Place 5, incumbent Bianca Benavides Anderson, Dustin McDonald and Jesse Cannon II have filed to run.

Tipping, Farrar and Anderson were all elected in 2022.

Candidates for the Mansfield ISD school board can pick up a packet at the school administration building, 605 E. Broad St. School board candidates must be at least 18 years old, have been a resident of the district for 12 months before filing and be a registered voter in the district.

Candidates for the Mansfield City Council can obtain a packet at City Hall, 1200 E. Broad St., or by contacting the City Secretary at 817-276-4203. Council candidates must be a city resident for at least 12 months before the election and be a qualified Texas voter.

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