Bill Holmberg has won a second term as Houston mayor.
Elected by 437 votes, Holmberg topped challenger Lance Hamblin by a 114-vote margin. Phyllis Jellett came third with 46 votes.
Mayor Holmberg said he’s excited about the new council, and ready to work on Houston’s key issues.
“We ran on 24/7 health care, we ran on continuing to look at our infrastructure, we ran on being fiscally responsible,” he said. “Obviously that hit a note with the electorate.”
Hamblin congratulated Holmberg on his victory.
“It was a really good experience, and I’m thankful for all the support that I did get,” he said.
Hamblin, who also lost a seat the regional district, said it’s clear running for both positions hurt his campaign.
“We’ll see what happens in three years,” he said.
Three fresh faces will join Mayor Holmberg at the council table: Jonathan Van Barneveld, Michalle Jolly and Dawn Potvin.
Van Barneveld and Potvin won the second and third-highest votes for councillors, with 606 and 602. Jolly was elected by 454 votes.
“It’s a great honour to be elected to office,” said Van Barneveld. “I’m amazed that I did so well.”
At 22, Van Bareneveld is likely the youngest councillor in Houston history.
“I’m definitely going to take a look at the committees and see which ones I can be most active on,” he said. “I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
Topping the polls was councillor Shane Brienen, who was re-elected by 671 votes. Councillors Bob Wheaton and Rick Lundrigan return to council with 587 and 418 votes, respectively.
Brienen said he is grateful to get such strong support.
“I’ve always been active in the community as a volunteer and I’m very approachable,” he said. “I just feel very lucky.”
At the Regional District, Rob Newell was elected Area ‘G’ director by 73 votes— 20 votes ahead of Lance Hamblin.
Newell’s top priority to communicate well with everyone in Area G, which he said is widely-dispersed and diverse group of people.
“I’m not going to do it on my own,” he said. “It takes those that are close to the issues to help resolve them.”
