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Local Voters Decide

April 24, 2025

Elections in Bosque County: Candidates running for local offices with mayor, city council, school board seats up for grabs in contested races May 3

Eligible voters will decide the future of Bosque County in several local city and school board races this election season ending on Saturday, May 3.

In Clifton, Cranfills Gap, Meridian, Morgan and Valley Mills, contested races for the mayor, city council and school board seats will occur in the three larger cities in Bosque County. The voters within Meridian Independent School District will also decide on possible property tax increase to pay off an outstanding debt.

In Clifton, two candidates – Dale LaRue and Damaris Neelley – have files for a place on the ballot to serve as mayor. Three possible candidates are running for two seats on the Clifton City Council; in the running are Rustin Qualls, Kathryn Kennedy, and a write-in candidate.

In Cranfills Gap, three candidates – Larry Simmons, Jerry Johnson, and Owen Carlson – are running for two seats on the Cranfills Gap City Council. David D. Witte is running unopposed for Cranfills Gap's mayor.

In addition, four candidates are seeking three seats on the Cranfills Gap ISD Board of Trustees; the candidates are Tai Cobb Klam, Kari Witte Putnam, Jason L. Cox, and Mike Gann.

In Meridian, four candidates are running for two seats on the Meridian ISD Board of Trustees; the candidates are Larry Denman II, Kristy Lawson Kuykendall, Ethan Koonsman, and Darci Allen.

The eligible voters in Meridian ISD's territory will also decide on a proposition (Prop A) to raise the local property tax issue with which to pay off a $720,000 bond.

In Morgan, two candidates – Joann Rodriguez and Sharon Kay Johns – are seeking two seats on the Morgan City Council (place 2). Also, three candidates – Keith Vandiver, Virginia Casarez, and Albert Aviles – are seeking two seats for place 5.

In Valley Mills, two candidates – Craig Godby and Milton Boyle – are running for Valley Mills' mayor. Four candidates – Ashton Blassingame, Arley L. Harris, Jr., Patrick Jreijiri, and Mike Murphree are vying for two seats on the Valley Mills City Council.

In addition, three candidates – Kristy Hollingsworth, John Bullion, and Doug Shanafelt – are seeking two seats on the Valley Mills ISD Board of Trustees.

Local May election voting began Tuesday, April 22, by casting ballots during the early voting period at the Bosque County Elections Administration Office located at 104 West Morgan Street in historic downtown Meridian from 8 a.m.-5 p.m..

Election day voting will take place Saturday, May 3, from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Eligible voters must cast ballots at the precinct where they are registered to vote. Locations include:

Precinct 2 – Morgan Community Center, 908 Mary St., Morgan, TX 76671
Precinct 3, 4, & 5 – Meridian Civic Center, 309 W River St., Meridian, TX 76665
Precinct 7 – Cranfills Gap Community Center, 312 N. 3rd St., Cranfills Gap, TX 76637
Precinct 8 & 9 – Clifton Civic Center, 403 W 3rd St., Clifton, TX 76634
Precinct 10 & 11 – Valley Mills Old City Hall, 107 S. 4th St., Valley Mills, TX 76689

Clifton Mayor – pick none or one

Dale LaRue

Damaris Neelley

Clifton City Council – pick none, one, or two

Rustin Qualls

Kathryn Kennedy

Write-In

Cranfills Gap Mayor – pick none or one

David D. Witte

Cranfills Gap City Council – pick none, one, or two

Larry Simmons

Jerry Johnson

Owen Carlson

Cranfills Gap ISD – Board of Trustees – pick none, one, two, or three

Tai Cobb Klam

Kari Witte Putnam

Jason L. Cox

Mike Gann

Meridian ISD – Board of Trustees – pick none, one, or two

Larry Denman II

Kristy Lawson Kuykendall

Ethan Koonsman

Darci Allen

Morgan Alderman Place 2 – pick none or two

Joann Rodriguez

Sharon Kay Johns

Morgan Alderman Place 5 – pick none or two

Keith Vandiver

Virginia Casarez

Albert Aviles

Valley Mills Mayor – pick none or one

Craig Godby

Milton Boyle

Valley Mills City Council – pick none, one, or two

Ashton Blassingame

Arley L. Harris, Jr.

Patrick Jreijiri

Mike Murphree

Valley Mills ISD Board of Trustees – pick none, one, or two

Kristy Hollingsworth

John Bullion

Doug Shanafelt

Meridian ISD Bond Election – Prop A – For or Against

THE ISSUANCE OF $720,000 OF REFUNDING BONDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF REFINANCING THE PRINCIPAL OF, INTEREST ON, AND ANY REDEMPTION PREMIUM ON THAT CERTAIN PREVIOUSLY ISSUED MAINTENANCE TAX NOTE OF THE DISTRICT DESIGNATED AS THE "MERIDIAN INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT MAINTENANCE TAX NOTЕ SERIES 2023", AND THE LEVY AND IMPOSITION OF TAXES SUFFICIENT TO PAY THE PRINCIPAL OF AND INTEREST ON THE BONDS. THIS IS A PROPERTY TAX INCREASE.