Incumbents line up for school board, council seats

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By Amanda Rogers

Mansfield Record

Lots of familiar names will be on the local ballot May 1 for Mansfield City Council and Mansfield ISD school board.

So far, only the incumbents for City Council Places 3, 4 and 5 have filed to run.

Mike Leyman, 73, a retired police officer, has tossed his hat into the ring for another three years in Place 3. Leyman served in Place 2 from 2007-2011 before resigning to seek a state office. He was re-elected to Place 3 in 2018 and is currently serving as mayor pro tem.

Casey Lewis, 34, a local businessman, is looking for a second three-year term in Place 4, while Julie Short, 50, a Realtor, is seeking her second term at Place 5.

The races for Mansfield ISD trustees are more competitive.

For Place 1, incumbent Michelle Newsom, who is in the medical field, is seeking another three-year term. Godson Onwubiko Jr., a process engineer, has also applied for the post.

For Place 2, incumbent Desiree Thomas, a longtime volunteer, has applied for a second-three year term, and is challenged by Yolanda McPherson, a retired educator.

A special election for the final year of Raul Gonzalez’s term at Place 4 has four challengers. Gonzalez resigned after begin elected to the Arlington City Council.

Seeking the Place 4 seat are Corinne Fiagome, a nonprofit consultant; Christine Beason, a customer training manager; Meagan Sutton, a physical therapist; and Denise Lunski, a volunteer and retired state employee.

To run for Mansfield City Council, candidates must be at least 18 years old, a registered Texas voter and must have lived in the city for the past 12 months. Candidate packets are available online and at Mansfield City Hall, 1200 E. Broad St. Completed packets can be emailed to City Secretary Susanna Marin or delivered to City Hall by 5 p.m. Feb. 13.

Place 1 is currently held by medical executive Michelle Newsom and Place 2 by homemaker and volunteer Desiree “Dez” Thomas. There will also be a special election for the final year of the three-year term on Place 4, which was held by Raul Gonzalez until he resigned after being elected to the Arlington City Council.

Candidates for the Mansfield ISD school board must be at least 18 years old, be a U.S. citizen, not be a convicted felon or mentally incapacitated, must have lived in Texas for the previous 12 months and in the district for the previous six months and be a registered voter in the district.

Applications can be picked up at the Mansfield ISD Administration Building, 605 E. Broad St. Forms must be returned by 5 p.m. Feb. 12.

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