The City of Kyle announced that a special election will take place on Dec. 12 to fill the vacant District 3 council seat left by Claudia Zapata, who resigned on Sept. 25 after citing harassment and dehumanization in local social‑media groups and at City Hall meetings.
Election timeline and candidates
The City Council called for the special election on Oct. 5, setting the voting date for Dec. 12—the same day runoff elections are slated for the mayoral and District 4 contests following the Nov. 3 general election. The filing deadline for District 3 candidates was Nov. 2, and five individuals have qualified:
- Larry D. Stamps
- Mario Reyes
- Zachary A. Coppedge
- Alex Villalobos
- Mark Schmidt
Zapata will continue to serve until a successor is elected. If the Dec. 12 vote does not produce a majority winner, a runoff will be scheduled, and the elected council member would not assume office until January 2027 at the earliest.
Mayoral and District 4 runoffs
Unofficial results from the Nov. 3 general election indicate that neither the mayoral race nor the District 4 council race produced a candidate with over 50 % of the vote, triggering runoffs on Dec. 12.
Incumbent Mayor Yvonne Flores‑Cale earned 49.98 % of the vote, while challenger Robert Rizo received 37.99 %. Rizo expressed optimism, saying, “Election night has been a whirlwind of emotion, and you are all in my heart tonight… Kyle has so much to offer, now and for future generations.” Flores‑Cale emphasized the importance of every vote, noting, “Because this is about more than an election. It is about the people who call Kyle home.”
In District 4, Leah Kaufman secured 47.01 % of the vote and Kenneth Rocha 27.55 %. Rocha acknowledged his underdog status but pledged continued commitment, while Kaufman promised to keep meeting residents and sharing her vision for Kyle’s future.
What residents should know
All general‑election results remain unofficial until canvassed on Nov. 9. Voters should watch for any updates to provisional ballot counts, which could affect final totals. The city encourages residents to verify their polling locations and to participate in both the special election and the scheduled runoffs.
These elections represent a critical moment for Kyle’s local governance, offering voters the chance to shape the city council’s composition and the mayor’s leadership for the coming term.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.
