SETX — Voters across Southeast Texas went to the polls on election day to decide a slate of local races and a special election for Texas Senate District 4, with contests on ballots in Jefferson County, Port Arthur, Nederland and Orangefield.
In Jefferson County, voters cast ballots in a special election for state Senate District 4 after Brandon Creighton stepped down to become the chancellor of Texas Tech University. Republican Brett Liggin defeated Democrat Ron Angeletti, an educator and small-business owner who was the only other candidate on the ballot. The two are set for a rematch in November for a full four-year term. In the meantime, Liggin will serve the remainder of Creighton’s term, which runs until the start of the next legislative session in January.
Several Port Arthur races were also on the ballot.
In the Port Arthur District 1 councilmember race, Councilman Willie Bae Lewis faced challengers Taylor Getwood and Artrell McCullar Sr. Lewis will face Getwood in a runoff because none of the candidates gained a 50% majority vote.
In District 2, incumbent Tiffany Hamilton-Everfield did not run for re-election. Hollan Hoffer and Cal Jones faced off, with Jones winning with a 66% majority vote.
In District 3, incumbent Doneane Beckcom faced Warren Pena and Charlie Lewis Jr. Pena and Lewis will also go to a runoff because neither candidate gained 50% of the vote.
The Port Arthur District 4 councilmember race is between Kaala Jones, Chuck Vincent and Lloyd Marie Reado Johnson. Jones and Vincent will face each other again in a runoff because neither candidate gained 50% of the vote.
Port Arthur ISD voters also decided two at-large school board seats. Candidates included incumbent Kenenth Lofton Sr., Carolyn Brown and Nathaniel Collins Jr., with the top two vote-getters earning seats. Kenenth Lofton Sr. and Nathaniel Collins Jr. won after receiving the two highest vote totals.
In Nederland, one city council seat was up for grabs, with incumbent Randy Sonnier running against Keith Bass for the Ward 3 seat. Sonnier won with a 58% majority vote.
Nederland ISD voters chose two at-large trustees from six candidates: incumbent Kay DeCuir, along with challengers Linda Clavijo, A.J. DeLage, Nathan Huckaby, Stacy Lewis and Edgar Maddox. A.J. DeLage and Kay DeCuir received the top two vote totals and won the at-large trustee seats.
In Orangefield ISD, voters considered Proposition A, a $13 million bond issue for improvements to the baseball and softball field and the stadium. Proposition A passed with 69% of the majority vote.
Polling locations listed for Jefferson County were:
Marion & Ed Hughes Public Library (Meeting Room), 2712 Nederland Ave., Nederland, TX 77627
Jefferson County Sub-Courthouse (Foyer), 525 Lakeshore Dr., Port Arthur, TX 77640
Port Arthur Library (Lucy Stiefel Gallery), 4615 9th Ave., Port Arthur, TX 77642
Jefferson County Courthouse (Lobby), 1085 Pearl St., Beaumont, TX 77701
Orange County voting locations listed were:
Orange Public Library, 220 N. 5th St., Orange 77630, Ira Williamson Meeting Room
Orange County Precinct 1 POD, 8520 MLK, Orange 77632, Main Room
Orange County Precinct 3 POD, 2010 Hwy 87 S, Orange 77630, Main Room
Orange County Expo Center, 11475 FM 1442, Orange 77630, Dupont Room
Raymond Gould Community Center, 385 Claiborne St., Vidor 77662, Main Room
All polls close at 7 p.m.
