Published: May 10, 2008 08:14 pm         

Hardeman, Starr win MWISD school board contests

Mineral Wells ISD Board of Trustees President Joel Hardeman has retained his Place 6 seat while Ellie Starr out-polled three candidates to win the Place 7 seat.

In final but unofficial returns Saturday, Hardeman easily defeated former board member Rodney Henderson and newcomer Tim Hopkins.

Hardeman, who garnered slightly over 50 percent of the votes cast in his race, will stay on board for a second term.

“I’m excited that people thought I was doing a good enough job to put me in office for another term,” said Hardeman. “I’m just glad that the people could see that my campaign wasn’t negative in any way against anybody.

Hardeman said he wanted to extend his thanks to opponent Tim Hopkins for “running a very positive campaign. I hope he stays involved.”

“I think what this district needs is a lot of positive people, because when we get the new superintendent on board we plan on moving this district forward in a very positive manner.

“I think Starr will be a great asset to the board with her being an educator and a parent,” he added. “She’s going to be able to help us – a young board – when we’re dealing with educational matters.”

In a four-candidate race, Starr collected 34 percent of the 899 votes cast. An assistant principal in the Fort Worth ISD, Starr was successful in her second bid at becoming a MWISD school board member. Newcomer Pat Bazzell finished with the second highest number of votes at 211, followed by current Mineral Wells Mayor Clarence Holliman and former MWISD board member Ray Garcia III.

“I’m really excited,” she said about her win. “With a new superintendent [coming on board], I’m looking so forward to this.”

Starr said she plans to be involved and wants to be informed about everything facing the board and district.

“I think Joel Hardeman has set a good precedent for board members through his involvement with students and going to open houses. I hope as board members we have that same attitude,” she added.

Starr said she hopes to be seen as someone who is approachable.

“When I’m out in the community I hope people will come talk to me,” she noted. “That’s how you are going to be informed.”

Of her first tasks she said, “I want to look at what the board is looking at and I want to learn about the new superintendent.”

Michael Hopkins easily retained his seat on the Palo Pinto County Hospital District Board, defeating challenger Genevieve Baeza-Rodriguez.

In final but unofficial vote totals in the Graford ISD race, Brandi Larson and Jackie Long appear to have won the two at-large seats, defeating Carol Hargrove and Hal Brown.

In the City of Graford election, three candidates were running for two at-large seats. John Altum and Eddie Nowak appear to have won terms on the council, with Alice Sain finishing third in final but unofficial vote totals.

Officials with Gordon ISD did not provide election results Saturday evening.

Unofficial election results

Mineral Wells ISD
Place 6
*Joel Hardeman – 449
Rodney Henderson – 275
Tim Hopkins – 169

Place 7
Pat Bazzell – 211
Ray Garcia III – 178
Clarence Holliman – 207
*Ellie Starr – 303

Palo Pinto County Hospital District
Place 4
*Michael Hopkins – 354
Genevieve Baeza-Rodriguez – 146

City of Graford (two seats)
*John Altum – 53
*Eddie Nowak – 75
Alice Sain – 45

Graford ISD (two seats)
Hal Brown – 47
Carol Hargrove – 52
*Brandi Larson – 70
*Jackie Long – 71

Gordon ISD (three seats)
Jimmy Hunt –
Eli Stockstill –
Brett Trigg –
Kirby Wigington –