By: Honey Casey
ZAVALLA, TX — May 3, 2025
Under clear skies and warm spring sunshine, Zavalla residents headed to the polls Saturday to cast their votes in the Zavalla ISD school board election. The day had all the charm of an old-fashioned small-town Election Day, with candidates and their supporters lining the road outside the school, greeting voters and waving to passing cars.
Candidate Jaime West was the first to arrive, setting up her tent the required 100 feet from the polling place early in the morning. She was soon joined by fellow candidates Jackson Kotz, Chris Runnels, and Joe Bridges, along with friends and family members there to offer support and encouragement throughout the day.
As the sun dipped below the piney woods, the polls closed promptly at 7:00 p.m., and election officials began tallying the votes.
The results:
- The 2-year term seat was won by Jaime West.
- The three 3-year term seats went to incumbent Joe Bridges, and new board members Dalton Renfro and Carrie Harris.
While the mood throughout the day was upbeat, the low voter turnout was a notable disappointment. Of the more than 2,200 registered voters in Zavalla ISD, only 225 ballots were cast — a turnout of just over 10%. In such a close election, fewer than ten votes could have changed the outcome.
The newly elected board members will be officially sworn in during the next Zavalla ISD School Board meeting on Monday, May 12, when the election results will be canvassed and certified.
