In the special election held on Nov. 3 for Denton City Council Place 1, Sunny Busby emerged as the clear front‑runner, capturing 3,188 votes, or 42.72% of the total. Because no candidate reached the required majority of over 50%, the race will move to a runoff between the top two vote‑getters.
Current standings and the tie
Busby’s nearest competitors, Kris Cox and Michael Herron, each earned 1,548 votes, representing 20.75% of the vote. Ward Franz received 1,178 votes, or 15.79%. Since Cox and Herron are tied for second place, the second runoff slot has not yet been determined.
Mail‑in and provisional ballots could be decisive
The City of Denton announced on its social‑media channels that outstanding mail‑in ballots and provisional ballots have not yet been counted by the Denton County Elections Administration. Those ballots are expected to be tallied soon and could serve as the tiebreaker that selects the second candidate for the Dec. 12 runoff.
What happens if the tie persists?
If the additional ballots still leave Cox and Herron dead‑locked, Texas Election Code mandates an automatic recount. Should the recount also end in a tie, the city will resolve the impasse by drawing lots, as outlined in the city’s official post.
Background on the special election
The special election was triggered when former District 1 council member Jordan Villarreal resigned on July 30, less than three months after winning the seat in May. Villarreal had taken the position after Vicki Byrd vacated it to pursue a Denton ISD trustee seat.
The District 1 term runs through May 2027, and the seat will appear again on the ballot in the regular May 2027 election, according to the city’s website.
Next steps for voters
The certified results from the Nov. 3 election will be canvassed at the City Council meeting on Nov. 17. Once certified, council members are expected to formally call for the runoff, scheduled for Dec. 12.
Voters who wish to participate in the runoff must register by Nov. 12. Early voting for the runoff will be available from Nov. 30 through Dec. 8, giving residents ample opportunity to cast their ballots before the Dec. 12 election day.
Why this matters to Denton families
City Council decisions directly affect local services, public safety, and community development—issues that impact families and neighborhoods every day. Ensuring a clear, representative outcome in Place 1 helps maintain stable governance and responsive representation for Denton’s residents.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Denton — read the source article.
