In a photo taken from across the street, a voter exits The Hub polling place. (Tyler Morning Telegraph File)

Unofficial election results from city and school board races across Smith County are expected to be canvassed by May 14.

The Smith County Elections Office said it is going through the standard process, which will include canvassing to finalize the results and make them official.

Voters went to the polls Saturday to vote in several local city and school board races.

Highlights from the unofficial results show a challenger appeared to get the nod over an incumbent member of the Tyler ISD board, while a Tyler city councilmember will remain in his seat. One race in the Winona ISD election saw a tie and could require a second election to determine the winner, but canvassing must be completed before that is determined.

Tyler ISD

For the Tyler ISD District 1 seat, Eleno Licea will be elected to the school board seat. The former school board member received 54%, or 278 votes. Incumbent R. Wade Washmon received 46%, or 240 votes, according to unofficial results.

Licea, a former board member who served District 1 from 2009 to 2013, said he is humbled to have won the election.

“Thank you to every single person who voted — your voice made this victory possible.

To the incredible individuals who stood as pillars of support throughout this campaign: we are deeply grateful. Your dedication, integrity, and belief in our vision carried us to this moment. We could not have done this without you,” he said in a statement on his campaign Facebook page.

Licea called the win “historic,” noting it belongs to “all of us, especially those of you who went to the polls and voted.”

“I’m deeply honored and proud to represent a community filled with such strength, heart, and deep commitment to our students,” Licea said. “Thank you for believing in this campaign. So many of you spent countless hours calling, walking, knocking, and doing whatever you could to spread the word.”

The soon-to-be trustee said he’s ready to get to work to ensure every student is “seen, heard, supported, and most of all educated,” he said.

“As big decisions come our way, I promise to always be a strong voice for ALL of District 1,” Licea concluded. “Let’s keep moving forward together.”

Washmon posted on his campaign page, congratulating his opponent.

“It’s been an honor to serve on the Tyler ISD Board the last 12 consecutive years. Congratulations to Eleno Licea on his win,” Washmon said. “I will certainly continue to support Tyler ISD and our community moving forward!”

Washmon thanked the community for their comments on his campaign page, messages and calls. “The support has always been and always will be so incredibly meaningful,” he said. “Let’s all continue to do our part for Tyler ISD and the 18,000+ students that are impacted daily!”

In District 3, Yvonne Atkins received 84%, or 242 votes, while Carolyn Jones Davis received 16% or 47 votes, according to unofficial results. Atkins, the incumbent, will continue to serve in her seat.

Tyler City Council

Unofficial results show incumbent Tyler District 1 councilman Stuart Hene will continue to serve for another term. Hene cleared the race with 86%, or 375 votes, compared to challenger Max Stewart, who received 61 votes or 14%.

“Thank you very much District 1 for your continued support,” Hene wrote Saturday night on his campaign Facebook page. “I am truly honored to continue representing you and the City of Tyler!”

In District 3, Shonda Marsh received nearly 88% of the vote to represent the seat currently held by Councilwoman Shirley McKellar, whose term is expiring. Marsh received 247 votes. Write-in candidate Christian Gooden received 27 votes, or 9.6%.

Marsh said in a Facebook video reaction after the results were announced that she is overjoyed, humbled and grateful to each supporter. She aims to fulfill her goals to make North Tyler a better place, she said.

“… The community has placed their trust in me to represent our district with integrity, passion, and purpose,” Marsh said in a statement. “Thank you to everyone who voted, supported, and believed in this vision for North Tyler.

“Now, the real work begins — and I am ready to roll up my sleeves and serve with heart and dedication. Together, we will create positive change and ensure every voice is heard.”

Incumbent Lloyd Nichols was unopposed in District 5 and will serve another term.

Winona ISD

An unofficial tie was declared in one of the Winona ISD races.

For Place 3, unofficial results show an even tie between Luis Hernandez and Randy Hawkins, who each received 137 votes or 50% for Place 3.

The Smith County Elections Office said Winona ISD’s next move will need to be determined once results are finalized through canvassing. If the official results still reflect a tie, Winona ISD will need to hold a second election for the Place 3 race to determine if Hernandez or Hawkins will serve on the board.

For Place 1, Dexter Jones received the majority of 155 votes or 58.05%, while William Allen received 112 votes or 41.95%.

Mark Wintters was unopposed in Place 5.

Results from other cities’ elections

Troup City Council

In Place 4, Nolan Jeske appeared to get the nod according to unofficial results in a close race. Jeske received 31 votes or 53.45% over Kaston Kincade, who received 27 votes or 46.55%. In Place 5, Susan Adams received 45 votes or 83.33%, over Amy Louis Murawski with 9 votes or 16.67%.

Dianne Layne (Place 1) and Brandi Barton (Place 3) were unopposed and will stay in office.

Hideaway

For mayor, Chet Thomas received the majority of 515 votes or 78.03%. Rob Wheelock received 145 votes or 21.97%.

For city council, Laura George received the most votes, 378 votes or 61.66% for Place 1, while Allen Monholland got 235 votes or 39.22%.

For Place 2, Jim Caldwell won with 237 votes or 36.60%. Pat Bonds received 212 votes or 34.53%, Mark Reid received 165 votes or 26.87%.

Winona

In the City of Winona, Luis Diaz received 50 votes or 27.32%, Terry Cole received 45 votes or 24.59%, Gary Fox had 49 votes or 26.78% and Craig Attaway had 39 votes or 21.31% for the two available alderman positions.

Results from other school elections

Bullard ISD

In Place 6, Susie Turner Saxion secured the win with 263 votes or 48.03%, with Josh Tuner in second place at 179 votes or 32.72%. Cody Whitehead had 105 votes or 19.20%. In plurality voting, the person with the highest number of votes — even if it’s less than 50% — wins.

In the Place 7 race, Brian K. Hebert received the majority of 375 votes or 68.56%, while Gerald Hawkins got 172 votes or 31.44%.

Lindale ISD

For Place 1, Robert McGee received the majority of 329 votes or 60.37%, while James Edwards Sr. had 216 votes or 39.63%.

Jeremy Strickland was unopposed in Place 2 and will join the board. Mark Smith’s name stayed on the ballot because he missed the deadline to withdraw, but he wasn’t campaigning.

Voter turnout

Early voting was impactful, as about 1,400 people voted early, with 1,389 voting in-person and 23 voting by mail. A total of 1,412 early votes were cast.

On Election Day, 1,681 votes were cast, bringing the total voter turnout to 4.46% — 3,093 ballots cast of 69,375 voters who were registered for this election.

In comparison, just less than 7% — 998 of 14,618 registered voters at that time — turned out for the joint city elections in May 2024.