College Station voters are choosing among three candidates to fill the rest of the Place 5 term on the City Council. Councilman Bob Yancy, who holds the seat, is running for mayor, which triggered a special election for the unexpired term.
The city's elections page lists Tre Watson, Padon Holt and Valen Cepak on the ballot. Early voting started Monday, Oct. 19, and Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3. Brazos County posts polling places and a sample ballot on its elections website.
Each candidate described his background and priorities in interviews with KBTX this week. They are listed here in alphabetical order.
Valen Cepak
Cepak moved to College Station to study at Texas A&M's Bush School and has lived in the city for almost a decade. He told KBTX he has owned several small businesses and still works for local companies.
His stated priorities are pay and workplace culture for city employees, stronger partnerships, and managing growth as technology firms arrive. He said he serves on six boards, including three city boards plus the American Red Cross and YMCA Brazos Valley. "I think it's time for the next generation to take a step forward," he said.
Padon Holt
Holt is from Smyer, a small town between Lubbock and Levelland, and is a Texas A&M graduate. After law school he settled in College Station to raise his family.
He told KBTX the dispute over extending Pebble Creek Parkway, which runs behind his home, led neighbors to urge him to run. He said he wants to rebuild residents' trust in city government, manage economic growth and protect what he called the city's small-town character.
He serves on the board of Health For All, a nonprofit clinic that offers free care to people who do not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid.
