The ballot for the 2019 City Council election is set. On the final day to file for the ballot, two candidates turned in paperwork, joining two other candidates who filed near the beginning of the time period.
Place 1 is currently held by Vincent Voelkel. Voelkel picked up a packet in December, but did not file for a spot on this year’s ballot. Voelkel was elected in May 2017. Place 2 is currently held by George Baroody, who was elected after running unopposed in 2017.
The match-ups will be:
- Place 1: Gary Cochrane versus George Baroody
- Place 2: Kim Clarkson versus Mario Garcia
The election will take place on May 4, 2019, with early voting running from April 22 to April 30.
Here is some more information about each candidate in the race…
Place 1: Gary Cochrane
Gary Cochrane is a real estate agent with RE/MAX Kerrville. He is a Kerrville native and a graduate of the University of Texas. He has served as chairman of the Economic Improvement Corporation (EIC), President of the Kerrville Board of Realtors, worked with Habitat for Humanity, and has been active in the Walk to Emmaus program.
I am running for City Council because I believe I have the vision and proven leadership to help continue to move Kerrville in a positive direction. As a life long resident of Kerrville I am strongly committed to working to see that our community continues to improve and move forward. I want to see a successful future for Kerrville by providing long-term vision and empowering our leaders and staff to perform at the highest level.
Gary Cochrane, www.garycochraneforkerrville.com
This is the first time that Cochrane has sought elected office.
More information about Gary is available at his website and his Facebook page.
Place 1: George Baroody
In 2017, George Baroody ran unopposed for Place 2, and currently serves on City Council in that position. He is a self-employed computer consultant and is active in the Kerrville Little League. He is a 1985 graduate of WT Woodson High School in Fairfax, Virginia.
Baroody has resided in Kerrville since 2002. Prior to 2017, Baroody also ran unsuccessfully for city council positions in 2016 and 2015. Baroody currently serves as Place 2 Council Member. He has not explained the reason for his shift to the Place 1 spot for the 2019 ballot.
“I weighed it out as far as whether I should or shouldn’t run again, and it just seemed like there’s a lot of unfinished business, so here I am, running again,” Baroody said. “The position I’m taking is defending those rights and those working people that are here in Kerrville.”
Kerrville Daily Times, February 16, 2019
Baroody’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/baroodyforkerrville/
Place 2: Kim Clarkson
Kim Clarkson is employed at her family’s business, Kerr County Abstract and Title Company. She is a Kerrville native, having graduated from Tivy High School in 1994. She is also a graduate of the University of Texas. Prior to her career at the title company, she was an elementary teacher at Starkey Elementary in Kerrville.
Clarkson has a lengthy resume that includes numerous service positions with local charities, non-profits, and advocacy organizations such as Executive Women’s Club, Hill Country College Fund, Kerr County United Way, Kerrville Area Chamber of Commerce, Kerrville Public School Foundation, Relay for Life, and Rotary Club of Kerrville. In addition, she has served the City of Kerrville on the Code Review Committee and on the economic development subcommittee of the Kerrville 2050 Comprehensive Plan.
I want to be a voice for families raising their children in Kerrville, a group that is currently not represented on council. Families like mine are among many who enjoy the new sports complex, who take our kids to river trail to ride bikes, and kayak on the Guadalupe River. It would be a great joy to see future generations have the opportunity and desire to raise their own families here in Kerrville. For this to continue, we must preserve our economic sustainability and community-centered growth.
Kim Clarkson, www.kim4kerrville.com
More information about Mrs. Clarkson is available at her website and Facebook page.
Place 2: Mario Garcia
Mario Garcia filed for a spot on the ballot for City Council Place 2 on February 15, 2019 — the final day to file for the election. He is an information technology consultant and a volunteer at Christian Men’s Job Corps.
Garcia is a Kerrville native and his son, Roman Garcia, serves on the Kerrville Youth Advisory Board. Mario Garcia has been a frequent speaker at recent City Council meetings.
“I really hope that what I’m capable of bringing is the voice of a society that’s been silently contributing to the community by their labor, by their taxes and by their support,” Garcia said. “That voice is something that I hope we can raise up more so that we all feel like we can contribute to our community and city government.”
Kerrville Daily Times, February 16, 2019
Garcia’s Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/votemariogarcia/
Garcia’s Website: https://www.votemariogarcia.com/
