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County approved for countywide voting
Early voting started Monday, April 20, and will run through Tuesday, April 28. Election Day is Saturday, May 2.
Colorado County residents will vote on contested races for Weimar city council member place 4, mayor of Eagle Lake, two Eagle Lake councilmember positions and Rice CISD position 6 board trustee. Uncontested positions on the ballot include mayor of Weimar, Weimar city council member place 2 and Rice CISD position 7 board trustee.
Countywide Voting
According to Colorado County Elections Administrator Rebecka LaCourse, the county has been approved by the Secretary of State to participate in the Countywide Polling Place Program, effective May 2, 2026. Voters may vote at any of the following locations during early voting and on Election Day:
• Nada Community Center – St. Mary’s at 7825 Hwy 71, Nada, Texas
• Frelsburg Volunteer Fire Department at 1669 FM 109, New Ulm, Texas
• Colorado County Election Center at 1117 Travis St., Columbus, Texas
• Eagle Lake Community Center at 100 N. Walnut, Eagle Lake, Texas
• Weimar City Hall at 106 E. Main, Weimar, Texas Voting centers are open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. throughout early voting, with the exception of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, April 26. Early voting was closed Tuesday, April 21, due to the state holiday of San Jacinto Day.
The county is requesting feedback after the election to submit a required report to the state that includes statements and opinions from voters, minority group representatives, and organizations serving individuals with disabilities. Voters may submit a written statement or participate in an online survey listed under “Polling Location Feedback” at: https:// www.co.colorado.tx.us/page/colorado.
Elections
On the Ballot Weimar
For Weimar, Christina Behrens and Clayton Langhoff will face off for Weimar city council member place 4. Both candidates are non-incumbents.
Behrens is a 1994 graduate of Flatonia ISD, has earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and previously served on a planning and zoning commission. She currently works as a customer relations manager for Seybro Door and Weatherstrip.
“I am committed to supporting law enforcement and improving essential infrastructure—from water systems and streets to modernizing power lines to meet today’s needs and demands of tomorrow,” Behrens wrote in a political ad in the Weimar Mercury.
Langhoff was born and raised in Weimar and graduated from Texas A&M University in 2016. He currently works as a project manager for Metropolitan Custom Homes. In a Facebook post, Langhoff said his focus will be improving infrastructure, making smart and responsible budget decisions and “ensuring Weimar’s money is spent on true necessities that benefit our residents.”
“I believe new businesses deserve a real chance to succeed here in Weimar. Supporting smart growth means more opportunity, more local jobs, and a stronger tax base that benefits us all,” Langhoff said. “But progress can’t come at the expense of our infrastructure. We can’t ignore the water issues and aging systems that affect our daily lives — they need real attention, real solutions, and real accountability.”
Kyle Christen and Carlton Tucker are unopposed on the ballot for council member place 2 and mayor, respectively.
Eagle Lake
Robert “Bob” Craig and Anthony Johnson will face off for the mayorship that will be vacated by current mayor Tim Kelley.
Craig was raised in Missouri City, Texas, and earned a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Houston. He has previously served as a vice president at JP Morgan Bank and currently leads his own oil and gas business. Craig also serves as the vice president of the Eagle Lake Lions Club and as a member of the Eula & David Wintermann Library board of directors.
In a flyer posted to his Facebook, Craig listed out his priorities: “revitalize and strengthen downtown to support local businesses and attract new investment, increase revenue opportunities at the municipal airport, reduce the tax burden on seniors and veterans [and] expand opportunities for affordable and low-income housing.”
Johnson was born and raised in Eagle Lake and earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration. He is currently the small business owner of Cuts by Anthony Johnson.
“I am running for mayor because our city deserves accountability, transparency, and meaningful change,” Johnson said in a Facebook post. “I am committed to listening, leading with integrity, and working hard for every citizen of Eagle Lake.”
Three current councilmembers— Randy Turner, Abel “Billy” Sosa and Amy Maxwell—will compete for two city council seats.
Turner was chosen by Kelley and appointed to city council in August, filling the vacancy left by the late Jim Wood. He previously ran against four others for three council seats in May 2025 but came in fourth. Previously from Spring, Turner moved to Eagle Lake in the past three years and currently works as a house flipper.
Sosa was newly elected in 2024. Sosa has frequently advocated public engagement and input, notably regarding recruitment and retention for law enforcement. He has also highlighted the importance of youth in Eagle Lake when considering infrastructure for public recreation and wanting to encourage people to stay instead of moving away after high school.
Maxwell has served on the council since May 2021 and currently as Mayor Pro-Tem. Raised in Huntsville, she earned her MBA in information technology and marketing from Houston Christian University in 2002. Maxwell helped found Maxwell’s Meat Market in 2019 and currently works as its vice president and manager.
Rice CISD
Incumbent Chriss Schiurring and Erik Thormaehlen will battle for place 6 board trustee for Rice Consolidated Independent School District.
Schiurring was unopposed and newly elected in 2023. He is a rice farmer, hunter and frequent supporter of the Cody Thompson Memorial fund and other local fundraisers.
“We have made tremendous progress at RCISD and still have many things to accomplish moving forward,” Schiurring said in a Facebook post. “There is always room for improvement and every board member is dedicated to all of the kids in our district.”
Thormaehlen is from Bay City and majored in history at University of Texas San Antonio. He previously served on the board for Boerne ISD and recently quit as a history teacher and cross-country coach at Rice CISD after three years. In his campaigning Facebook posts, Thormaehlen said he seeks stability through changing athletic leadership after over 60 different coaches, many of whom were also teachers, that have come and gone in the past four years.
“One great teacher after the next, right out the door, purely due to toxic mismanagement and chaos from the top of the athletic department,” Thormaehlen wrote. “…Even after leaving Rice CISD, I have continued showing up—attending games, meets, performances, writing letters of recommendation, and supporting seniors through graduation. These kids have lost too many mentors. No future class should endure the instability they have faced.”
Jennifer Rodgers is unopposed on the ballot as the incumbent for place 7 board trustee.
