Austin school board sees four new faces

Four of the five contested Austin Independent School District trustee seats appear set for change based on early voting numbers released Tuesday night.

The district last saw a full slate of contested trustee races in 2014. Candace Hunter, the only incumbent on the ballot, is seeking reelection in District 1. The other four seats up for grabs are single-member Districts 4, 6, and 7, plus At-Large Position 9.

Unofficial results from Travis County, posted at 8:37 p.m. on Election Day, reflect votes cast during the early voting period. These figures do not yet include ballots cast at polling stations on November 3.

In District 1, Hunter holds 58.37% of the early vote with 11,034 ballots, against challenger Cheryl Bradley's 41.63% and 7,868 votes. In District 4, newcomer Jessica Neufeld leads with 59.11% of the vote, totaling 17,829 ballots. Tricia Mitchell Kim follows with 27.84% and 8,398 votes, while Edward Bradfield trails at 13.05% with 3,936 votes.

Newcomer Sarah Dille leads District 6 with 60.45% of the early vote, amassing 14,736 ballots. Alex San Martin holds 19.85% with 4,839 votes, and Marie Lebron has 19.70% with 4,802 votes. In District 7, Laurie Solis leads Jimmy Counihan 59.63% to 40.37%, with Solis holding 16,777 votes to Counihan's 11,357.

The At-Large Position 9 race remains tight. Pamela Mathai holds 44.63% of the early vote with 74,038 ballots. Cynthia Soliz trails with 42.34% and 70,245 votes. Kirk Becker holds 13.03% with 21,611 votes. Because no candidate has reached the 50% threshold required for a outright win, the top two candidates will advance to a runoff election in December.

State law requires a majority to secure a seat without a second round. The specific date for any runoff will be determined after officials canvass the full November 3 results. The incoming board may face immediate constraints on its authority due to state oversight triggered by failing school ratings.