Denton residents will see a runoff election on Dec. 12 for the Place 1 seat on City Council, after Kris Cox secured the second spot by a single vote. The city announced the updated unofficial results on Nov. 10, confirming that Cox received 1,551 votes—just one more than fellow candidate Michael Herron, who earned 1,550.
Vote totals and runoff qualification
The November 3 election produced the following unofficial tallies:
- Sunny Busby – 3,196 votes (42.76%)
- Kris Cox – 1,551 votes (20.75%)
- Michael Herron – 1,550 votes (20.74%)
- Ward Franz – 1,178 votes (15.76%)
Because no candidate achieved a majority of more than 50%, the top two vote‑getters advance to a runoff. Busby led the field, while Cox moved ahead of Herron by the narrowest of margins.
Background on the race
The contest arose after former District 1 council member Jordan Villarreal resigned on July 30, less than three months after winning a special election in May. Villarreal had succeeded Vicki Byrd, who left the seat to pursue a Denton ISD trustee position.
Next steps for voters
The City Council will formally canvass the Nov. 3 results at its meeting on Nov. 17. Once certified, council members are expected to call for the runoff election, scheduled for Dec. 12. Residents must register to vote in the runoff by Nov. 12, and early voting will be available from Nov. 30 through Dec. 8.
Term and future election cycle
The winner of the Place 1 seat will serve until May 2027. That seat will appear again on the ballot in the May 2027 municipal election, according to the city’s website.
Local officials and community groups are encouraging eligible voters to participate, emphasizing that every ballot truly matters—especially when a single vote can determine a candidate’s fate.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Denton — read the source article.
