A trio of city council incumbents have thrown their hats into the ring as they seek reelection bids this November.
With the Aug. 19 candidate filing deadline fast approaching, no one has challenged Buda City council member Lee Urbanovsky, or Kyle City Council Mayor Pro Tem Dex Ellison and Kyle council member Robert Rizo, who are running again for their respective seats.
In Buda, Urbanovsky’s At-Large Place 1 race is one of two city council seats up for grabs Nov. 5. The Single Member District C race, occupied by incumbent Mayor Pro Tem Wiley Hopkins, is also up for election.
Urbanovsky, who was originally elected in December 2016, submitted his candidate filing July 22. In a Facebook post, Urbanovsky said his first term on the dais was a gratifying experience and that his time in office has resulted in “many late nights and some very difficult decisions,” but has been rewarding.
“I believe I have represented my city of 19 years well during my first term, but there is still a lot more work to be done,” Urbanovsky wrote. “With your support, I hope to continue my service on Buda City Council.”
Meanwhile, Hopkins, a retired U.S. military veteran, has not submitted his filing for another term in office. Hopkins’ seat encompasses west Buda just north of Garlic Creek, as well as half of the downtown district and the Bradfield subdivision.
Hopkins was initially elected to the dais in March 2013 to fill an unexpired term; he was reelected in November 2013 and again in 2016. Hopkins again ran unopposed when his seat transitioned to a single member district in 2018.
Kyle voters will decide on two city council seats this November as well.
Ellison so far is the only person who’s filed to run in the At-Large District 1 seat.
Originally elected to the dais in November 2017, Ellison seeks his second term in office and will go through his first reelection bid. In May, Ellison was selected as Kyle’s Mayor Pro Tem
Ellison said he opted to run again following a lot of thought and prayer.
Rizo, who was elected to Kyle’s At-Large District 3 seat in a special election in May, will go through his third campaign in roughly a year’s time. He filed for reelection July 20.
Prior to winning the At-Large District 3 seat, Rizo fell to Rick Koch in the November 2018 general election.
Rizo said serving the unexpired term left by former council member Shane Arabie, who moved because of a job opportunity, was a good chance for him to see what life was like on the dais. Doing so for six months was enjoyable and he hopes to represent Kyle residents again.
So far, no one has filed to run against Rizo. Rizo said he hopes to get people out and excited for the November race.
“I hope we have a good turnout. The November elections should have a lot on the ticket and I hope people get excited about it and come out to vote,” Rizo said.
Dates to remember for the Nov. 5 Buda and Kyle City Council elections
• Aug. 19 – Last day for candidates to file for place on the ballot
• Oct. 7 – Last day to register to vote for the Nov. 5 election
• Oct. 21 – First day of early voting
• Oct. 25 – Last day to apply for ballot by mail (ballots must be received, not postmarked, by this date)
• Nov. 1 – Last day of early voting
• Nov. 5 – Election Day
